(MIAMI, April 6, 2016) – On April 5, Miami International Airport was recognized by Airports Council International-North America (ACI-NA) – the leading industry organization representing the governing bodies that own and operate commercial airports in the United States and Canada – with its top award for exceptional achievement in promoting and sustaining diversity. MIA received the ACI-NA 2016 Inclusion Champion Award in the Large Hub Airport category, which commends the proactive and innovative steps taken by the Miami-Dade Aviation Department (MDAD) to successfully achieve minority inclusion in its business contracts, workforce and employee development through a sustainable model. MIA received the award at ACI-NA’s 2016 Business of Airports Conference in Orlando.
In the area of business inclusion, the Aviation Department was praised for its extensive and innovative outreach programs for small businesses, including local minority- and female-owned companies, to make them aware of MIA contracting opportunities and initiatives such as: the Airport Concession Disadvantaged Business Enterprise program; the Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) program for construction and design contractors; the Local Developing Business program for airline service contracts; the Small Local Car Rental program for car rental concessions; and the Department’s Maintenance Contractor Program.
As a result of MIA’s efforts, small businesses accounted for $202.7 million, or 17.1 percent, of its $1.1 billion in contracts in fiscal year 2015. Additionally, small business concessions generated $158 million in gross sales in FY 2015, which accounted for 35.1 percent of MIA’s $450.4 million in total gross sales. Additionally, MDAD’s Maintenance Contractor Program has grown to 42 small and minority-owned contractors since it was launched as a pilot program in 2014, and is expected to increase to 60 companies within the next 18 months.
“Our Aviation Department, under Director González’s leadership, has developed innovative, trailblazing programs for small business participation at MIA, and I applaud them for their efforts,” said Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos A. Gimenez. “MIA is the leading economic engine for our County and the state of Florida, generating $33.5 billion in revenue annually, and as this award acknowledges, local small businesses are significant contributors to MIA’s economic impact.”
MDAD’s inclusive and diverse workplace practices, including its initiatives to support the recruitment and professional development of minorities, were also commended.
“We are extremely honored to receive this prestigious award for our commitment to business and workplace diversity,” said Miami-Dade Aviation Director Emilio T. González. “Specifically, ACI-NA commended us for the high level of participation by local minority-owned businesses in our concession contracts, which has been one of my top priorities since joining the Aviation Department in 2013. I’m proud to say that local small businesses continue to be a growing segment of our operations, and to be recognized as a leader in this area among all large hub airports within North America is deeply gratifying.”
ACI-NA is the third national organization recently to recognize MIA for promoting and sustaining diversity. In 2015, the airport was a nominee for the Airport Minority Advisory Council’s Catalyst Award, in recognition of its DBE participation for architecture and engineering contracts. Additionally, an audit by the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Office of the Inspector General ranked MIA third among all U.S. airports in 2014 for contracts with new small businesses.
Airports Council International-North America (ACI-NA) member airports enplane more than 95 percent of the domestic and virtually all the international airline passenger and cargo traffic in North America. More than 340 aviation-related businesses are also members of the association, which is the largest of the five worldwide regions of Airports Council International. For more information, visit http://aci-na.org/newsroom/press-releases/aci-na-honors-business-diversity-2016-inclusion-champion-awards.
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Miami International Airport offers more flights to Latin America and the Caribbean than any other U.S. airport, is America’s second-busiest airport for international passengers, boasts a lineup of 100 air carriers and is the top U.S. airport for international freight. MIA, along with its general aviation airports, is also the leading economic engine for Miami-Dade County and the state of Florida, generating business revenue of $33.7 billion annually and welcoming 70 percent of all international visitors to Florida. MIA’s vision is to grow from a recognized hemispheric hub to a global airport of choice that offers customers a world-class experience and an expanded route network with direct passenger and cargo access to all world regions. MIA is committed to sustainable practices. Learn more at www.MIAefficiency.com.
2022 Charlotte Douglas International Airport Report of Achievement
Giving back to the community is central to what Charlotte Douglas International Airport and its operator, the City of Charlotte Aviation Department, is about, and last year was no different.
Throughout 2022, while recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic, we continued our efforts to have a positive impact on the Charlotte community. Of particular note, we spent the year sharing stories of how Connections Don't Just Happen at the Terminal - from creating homeownership and employment opportunities to supporting economic growth through small-business development and offering outreach programs to help residents understand the Airport better.
This whitepaper highlights the construction projects, initiatives, programs and events that validate Charlotte Douglas as a premier airport.
Download the whitepaper: 2022 Charlotte Douglas International Airport Report of Achievement.