MIA projects record travel, full parking garages this weekend

With passenger traffic at Miami International Airport up 17 percent over the past 30 days compared to the same period pre-pandemic, the airport is projecting its busiest Memorial Day weekend ever. MIA is currently averaging 150,000 passengers per day, compared to 126,000 per day during its record-setting year in 2019.

Because of this unprecedented growth, MIA is expecting its parking garages to fill to capacity this weekend, beginning on Thursday. Instead of parking at MIA, travelers should plan on being dropped off by friends or family, a ride-share service, taxi, or Miami-Dade Transit’s Orange Line.

MIA is also providing the following travel tips for Memorial Day weekend:

 ·         Arrive at MIA at least three hours before a domestic flight and three and a half hours before an international flight to give yourself enough time for the check-in and security checkpoint process.

·         Passengers are also encouraged to do their airline check-in online before arriving at MIA.

·         To expedite TSA checkpoint screening, wear easily removable shoes, follow the 3-1-1 rule for liquids or gels in your carry-on, and avoid accessories that resemble weapons. More TSA tips are available at the TSA website.  

 ·         Find the fastest TSA checkpoint for your flight online with MIA’s Queue Analyzer, for real-time updates on checkpoint wait times. 

 ·         Avoid waiting in line to order food and drinks with MIA2GO, MIA’s mobile ordering service that lets you quickly browse menus, order, and pay before making your contactless pick-up at restaurants throughout the airport.

·         On-site COVID-19 testing (Antigen, PCR, and Rapid PCR) is available at two convenient MIA locations. Costs vary depending on the type of test.

·         MIA’s cell phone waiting lot, which features 60 parking spaces for non-commercial users picking up travelers, is located just off LeJeune Road and N.W. 31^st Street, accessible from LeJeune Road heading north or south.

·         If traveling internationally, eligible travelers can use the free, secure Mobile Passport Control app to submit their passport and customs declaration information on their smartphone or tablet and avoid completing a paper form or using an automated passport control kiosk. 

According to the Federal Aviation Administration, there have been 1,375 unruly passenger incidents nationwide this year as of May 17. Travelers should be reminded of the following:

• Unruly passengers face civil penalties up to $37,000, being banned from flying, and potential federal prosecution.
• FAA regulations direct airlines to not allow anyone to board their aircraft if that person appears to be intoxicated.
• FAA regulations also prohibit drinking alcohol aboard a plane that is not served by the airline.
• Miami-Dade Police will arrest and remove intoxicated individuals from MIA.
• At the first sign of any unruly behavior, call Miami-Dade Police at 9-1-1.