MIA bottlenecks: Thanksgiving weekend crowds meet broken escalator

MIAMI – Crowds at Miami International Airport faced a Thanksgiving weekend snag when a broken escalator in Concourse E caused a bottleneck during a surge of international arrivals Sunday night.

Leer en español

The malfunction left travelers at passport control relying on two elevators or a staircase to navigate the terminal, exacerbating delays from already crowded conditions.

“We had multiple flights that came in at one time because of delays,” said Ralph Cutie, MIA’s Director. “Then the area becomes backed up.”

The issue arose as MIA is undergoing a $7 billion, multi-year modernization project aimed at transforming the airport for the 21st century. While signs of progress are visible throughout the terminal, even a single broken escalator can create significant challenges at one of the nation’s busiest airports.

“The escalator is currently being modernized, which is another way of calling it replacement — basically brand new,” Cutie explained.

Crowds and Calls for Solutions

The disruption prompted Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava to seek immediate solutions for handling unexpected surges.

“When we are anticipating big crowds like that, can we have airport personnel there?” Levine Cava said, reflecting on how to prevent similar bottlenecks in the future.

The mayor also assured travelers the escalator is on track to be operational by Christmas.

“Hopefully, we won’t experience that bottleneck again,” Levine Cava said. “The escalator should be up in time for Christmas so hopefully we won’t experience that bottleneck again and we are apologetic to our travelers.”

Looking Ahead

As the modernization project continues, MIA is introducing conceptual upgrades aimed at enhancing passenger experiences. However, officials acknowledge that workarounds may be necessary for isolated issues like Sunday’s logjam.

Despite the challenges, Cutie and Levine Cava emphasized the long-term benefits of the airport’s overhaul, ensuring smoother operations for millions of travelers in the years ahead.


About the Author
Glenna Milberg headshot

Glenna Milberg joined Local 10 News in September 1999 to report on South Florida's top stories and community issues. She also serves as co-host on Local 10's public affairs broadcast, "This Week in South Florida."

Loading...

Recommended Videos