MIAMI,
08
June
2017
|
16:18 PM
Europe/Amsterdam

MIA Director named Power Leader of the Year by Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce

Airport director recognized for efforts to make Miami a world-class city

On June 7, Miami International Airport Director Emilio T. Gonzalez received the “Power Leader of the Year” Award from the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce, during the Chamber’s Salute to Miami Leaders awards luncheon. The Power Leader of Year award recognizes community leaders who are committed to making Miami a world-class city through innovation, leadership and empowering others to excel.

Since being appointed Airport Director in 2013, González has spearheaded air service expansion efforts that have drawn 31 new airlines and 37 new routes to MIA, most notably from untapped regions in Europe and the Middle East. In the last four years, MIA has grown from 13 European destinations to 22, and has added the bustling Middle East routes of Doha and Istanbul as well. Later this year, nonstop service will begin to Dublin, Stockholm and Tel Aviv, adding two more European routes and a third Middle East destination to MIA’s network. Underscoring MIA’s route network growth was a recent study by industry analyst Anna.aero, which found MIA to be the U.S. airport with the most new international routes, with a net gain of 10 between May 2016 and May 2017. Since 2013, MIA’s passenger traffic has risen 16 percent to 44.6 million passengers, and its cargo tonnage has grown nine percent to 2.2 million tons.

Congratulations to Director Gonzalez on this well-deserved award, and for his outstanding leadership at our community’s gateway to the world.
Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos A. Gimenez

The Power Leader of the Year award is the latest recognition MIA has received for innovation and industry leadership. In April, MIA ranked as the seventh best-run airport in America, out of 89 included in a first-ever study conducted by American City Business Journals (ACBJ). MIA was also the highest-ranking Florida airport in the report. In March, MIA received the Airports Council International-North America (ACI-NA) 2017 Environmental Achievement Award in the Environmental Management category, for the Sustainability Project at MIA. In 2016, MIA received ACI-NA’s Inclusion Champion Award in the Large Airport category, for exceptional achievement in promoting and sustaining diversity; and the American Association of Airport Executives’ inaugural Airport Innovation Award, for the airport’s creative work to improve the passenger experience.

Thank you to the leadership of the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce for this distinguished honor. The growth and success at MIA has been achieved because of the dedicated men and women of the Miami-Dade Aviation Department, so I share this award with them and commend them for their commitment to making MIA a world-class airport.
Miami-Dade Aviation Director Emilio T. González

The Salute to Miami’s Leaders Awards program was created to recognize and honor Leadership Miami alumni and inspire future community involvement by showcasing truly outstanding individuals who have been integrally involved and made significant contributions to the community, served the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce with distinction and excelled as leaders in their respective business fields or chosen profession.

To request materials in accessible format, Sign Language Interpreters, CART services and/or any accommodation to participate in any Miami-Dade Aviation Department (MDAD) public meetings and events please email the ADA Office at ADAcoordinator@miami-airport.com or call the office in 305-876-7747 five days in advance to initiate your request. Persons who are deaf or hard of hearing may also call 711 (Florida Relay Service).