Bidding to start soon to design-build airport’s biggest upgrade

Written by Miami Today on June 10, 2026

Miami International Airport aims to seek bids in August for the largest project in its $12 billion modernization, a $1.1 billion expansion of its regional commuter area at Gate D60, Aviation Director Ralph Cutié revealed last week.

The expansion includes 17 new gates for regional jets, boarding areas, concessions, and an expanded baggage system. The gates are exclusively for American Airlines, by far the airport’s largest user carrying more than 60% of passengers.

“We’re looking to advertise D60, which is our biggest project in the (capital improvement program). It’s $1.1 billion. We’re going to be advertising that by August,” Mr. Cutié told county commissioners.

The project had been announced in February with a $1 billion price. The new figure is a 10% increase.

“It’s going to take about a year to get the project awarded,” Mr. Cutié said, “and that’s a design-build.” In that method, a single bidder handles both design and construction, which is intended to streamline workflow, minimize risk to the airport and speed progress by allowing overlapping design and construction phases.

Design is to start in summer 2027, Mr. Cutié said. The airport earlier said work is to be completed in 2030.

The three-level extension is to convert the existing single gate for regional jets into 17 traditional gates for larger regional and narrow-body aircraft, with each having its own passenger hold rooms, the county said when it announced the expansion. All those gates will offer a third-level connection to Concourse D’s U.S. Customs and Border Protection facility for international arrivals.

Airport expansions are financed with bonded debt that is repaid via airport funding, which is separate from general county funds. Those revenues are primarily generated by airport users, including airlines and concessionaires.

Among project benefits are future ability to serve international flights, which this year carry 44.2% of passengers.