(MIAMI, January 24, 2014) – The Miami-Dade Aviation Department (MDAD) finalized a groundbreaking agreement with LAN Cargo, S.A. (LAN) on January 22 when the Miami-Dade Board of County Commissioners approved LAN’s plans to build its first U.S. maintenance facility at Miami International Airport. The $23.9 million project is expected to create more than 300 jobs in the first five years.
“We’re thrilled that LAN has chosen to grow their already-strong local presence at MIA,” said Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos A. Gimenez. “All parties stand to benefit from this project, particularly the residents who will gain employment as a result of LAN’s new facility.”
LAN Cargo and its affiliates handle more freight at MIA than any other airline, moving approximately 380,000 tons of goods through the global gateway in 2013. In total, MIA handled a record-breaking 2.1 million tons of freight in 2013. Based in Latin America, LAN had originally planned to build its new facility in Bogotá, Colombia. MDAD officials – with the support of local and state leaders and agencies including Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos Gimenez, Florida Governor Rick Scott, The Beacon Council and Enterprise Florida – successfully convinced the airline to instead build their Western Hemisphere fleet maintenance hangar in Miami.
“LAN Cargo is a leading and steadfast business partner here at MIA, and convincing them to build their new Western Hemisphere maintenance facility at our airport, rather than in Latin America, is a big win for MIA and our community,” said Miami-Dade Aviation Director Emilio T. González. “Getting to this point was a team effort, and I’m grateful to Mayor Gimenez, our local, state and federal partners, and the MDAD team for bringing this project – and the many jobs that come with it – home to MIA.”
