Miami International Airport Landslide
Miami International Airport (MIA) is also historically known as Wilcox Field, and is the primary airport in Miami, United States. The airport is considered to be the largest gateway to Latin America and Europe from the United States, and was ranked first in 2011 by international flight percentage and second by international passengers’ volume. During the same year, the airport reported the highest volume of international cargo in the entire country. Landslide Operations is responsible for transportation and parking contracts for employees, coordination of construction projects, traffic planning, emergency and safety, airport user fees, commercial transportation regulations, and coordination of taxicab operations.
Terminals
The main terminal was constructed in 1959, and there have been several additions. The terminal has a semicircular shape and has six concourses. Level 1 has baggage carousels and is the pathway to ground access. Level two houses the ticket handling and check-in operations, shops and restaurants, and provides entrance to the concourses. Level 3 houses the customs facilities and immigration services. MIA offers a unique terminal experience in that facilities are classified as common-use, which means the airport assigns usage and airlines do not hold ownership or lease for terminal space or gate operation. This is considered to provide terminal and gate allocation flexibility, and therefore allows the airport to plan for maximum use of available facilities (Perelman 2014).
Ground Access
Mia has an Access Control Section which is tasked with the access and traffic of automobiles within restricted areas. The section is also responsible for Airfield Operations Area administration of security controls and insurance compliance. The section also regulates access for airport tenants, federal agencies, and contractual firms accessing the airport. Documentation is implemented through a computerized process that operates on a 24-hour basis and features weekly updates.
Aircraft Parking
The Aircraft Gate Control Section is tasked with controlling aircraft gates, movement of aircrafts within the terminal, and traffic congestion through aircraft parking controls. Controlled aircraft parking helps in flight planning easing aircraft movement within the vicinity of the airport. Aircraft parking attracts different categories of applicable parking fees and fines that are stipulated by the airport, and revised on a regular basis.
Automobile Parking
MIA offers three parking facilities which include a short-term lot in front of Concourse E, and two parking garage storey structures with overhead walkways connecting to the terminal on level 3. In total, the airport has 8,233 parking spaces. Valet parking services are available on the departure and operate on a 24-hour basis. There is a lot for cell phone parking offering 60 parking units specifically for not-for hire vehicles. (Morisset 2014).
Disadvantaged Business Enterprise
Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) program has received both praise and criticism. Those who are opposed to the program claim that it is outdated, and that the current business environment demands deregulation if competition is to be given a chance. This is partly considered to hold water to some extent. While market mechanisms are proposed for directing the performance of enterprises, the playing field may not always imply that all firms receive the same fairness. Some enterprises are inherently affected by different factors including location, regulatory environment, competition, and technological and infrastructural considerations. Other than recommending a mandatory abolishment of the DBE program, it should be considered that the application of a measured graduation program may serve to highlight what should be considered before finally declaring enterprise deregulation a necessity (Kuratko 2007).
References
Kuratko, D. F. (2007). Entrepreneurial leadership in the 21st century. Journal of Leadership & Organizational Studies, 13(4), 1.
Morisset, T. T. M. (2014). Comparing capacities and delays at major European and American airports (Doctoral dissertation, Massachusetts Institute of Technology).
Perelman, S., & Serebrisky, T. (2015). Measuring the technical efficiency of airports in Latin America. Utilities Policy, 22, 1-7.
