ROUTES AMERICAS: In the Spotlight - Chris Mangos, Miami International Airport

Ahead of this year’s event we grabbed a few quick words with Chris Mangos, Director, Marketing Division of Miami International Airport…

Q) Roughly how much of your passenger traffic is transferring on to the Caribbean and Latin America?
A) With nearly 50% of our international traffic connecting, an estimate would be somewhere around eight million passengers annually. Within the Latin American/Caribbean market, however, we see ‘stop overs’ in Miami as a typical travel pattern, particularly in northbound flows from the southern hemisphere. Many Latin Americans have second homes here, and/or choose to stop over to conduct business, shop, vacation or visit relatives locally. As such, it is difficult to quantify a solid number. When combining domestic-to-international connections and vice versa into the equation, then we are looking at a connecting figure of more than 15 million passengers each year.

Q) What new markets/airlines are on your wish list for 2012?
A) We do have a ‘wish list’, though it will certainly take more than a year to achieve! We have our eyes on routes to Eastern Europe, including Istanbul. Scandinavia is booming and greatly underserved. There is the coveted prize of a route from the UAE. A route to South Africa is being pursued with great determination. And expansion into Asia is paramount: Hong Kong, Tokyo, Seoul, Shanghai and Mumbai are on a list of the most viable Asian routes that can sustain service to MIA today.

Q) How do you attract airlines to operate from MIA?
A) Internal market research leads to route feasibility studies worked through our air service consultants and then presented to target carriers. These studies offer a carrier in-depth analyses
of the O&D potential as well as “behind and beyond” passenger flows that the route would support. We are fortunate to possess a great balance of varying traffic types, multiple airlines within the big three alliances for cooperative arrangements, and the ability to support a new route with premium and economy traffic, offset with a healthy load of belly cargo. We also present an incentive programme along with those community entities offering assistance to our new entrant carriers. Finally, add patience, determination and some begging!

Q) What sets you apart from other airports in the region?
A) An airport is a reflection of the community it serves, and Miami moves to a rhythm that is distinct from any place else in the region. And so does MIA! Many attributes set our airport and community apart. MIA is the No 2 gateway to the US in terms of international traffic and the No 1 gateway to Latin America and the Caribbean. We are now the No 2 destination in the USA for international tourists. We have the world’s busiest cruise port. We are rated by South America’s business community as the No 1 ‘Latin American’ city to conduct business. And the Miami brand is world renowned, symbolic of the cosmopolitan destination for both leisure and business travel. MIA offers an air service network sustained by nearly 100 airlines serving 153 points in the world. We are beyond fortunate.

Q) Would you like to get passenger flights to China and India?
A) India is very much part of our growth plans for air service. There is an emerging Indian demographic in Miami and throughout Florida, as well as significant travel from India to our area. High double-digit passenger O&D growth has occurred during the last nine years. Additionally, throughout the Caribbean and in northern South America, there are over 1.2 million residents of East Indian ancestry who are now travelling back and forth to India. A carrier serving MIA from Mumbai would benefit from the strong and growing local market and access to the Caribbean by multiple airlines offering the best connections of any US gateway. China is definitely on the cards as well.Shanghai is a target and the numbers are improving, though sure to get better as visa issuing for Chinese visitors picks up speed. Hong Kong is the immediate target for MIA and for Miami. We are keen on seeing the Hong Kong connection happen as soon as possible. In fact, a state-wide survey we conducted of businesses, business associations and related organisations widely pointed toward Hong Kong as a needed destination for Miami and Florida, and even as the preferred choice for connecting to China.

Q) How has cargo performed this year?
A) MIA started off well in 2011, drastically slowed down mid-year, as did most global cargo markets, and picked up some speed in the last months of the year. Out of control fuel costs and softening demand had a major impact on airfreight last year. We do anticipate a small growth margin and hopefully enough to deliver us to the two million US ton mark. That should maintain our status as No 1 in the USA and No 10 globally in international freight rankings.

Q) Do you think there may soon be more opportunities to develop routes to Cuba?
A) The greater Miami and South Florida area is home to an exceptionally large population of Cuban immigrants and ancestry. This sustains a very large charter travel market permitted through a host of authorities and restrictions placed by our respective governments. For MIA, Cuba is our fourth busiest Caribbean market, with over 480,000 passengers in 2010, and a higher number anticipated for 2011. During this past December, MIA served a total of six destinations in Cuba, with an average total of eight departing flights per day. Other US communities have recently been awarded charter rights to serve Cuba and it will take some time to determine what level of activity they can maintain.