LAN Cargo to Build First U.S. Maintenance Facility
The Miami-Dade Board of County Commissioners approved LAN Cargo's plans to build the facility, and MDAD finalized the agreement with LAN. "We're thrilled that LAN has chosen to grow their already-strong local presence at MIA," Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos A. Gimenez said. "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 tonnes of goods through the global gateway in 2013. In total, MIA handled a record-breaking 2.1 million tonnes 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 Gimenez, Florida Governor Rick Scott, The Beacon Council and Enterprise Florida - convinced the airline to instead build its Western Hemisphere fleet maintenance hangar in Miami.