Disembarking to the world: international cargo shippers and corporate executives see Miami-Dade as a nexus of travel

South Florida CEO, Jan-Feb, 2005 by Doreen Hemlock

Yet international cargo stands out among the most promising growth areas for MIA this year, especially as a weak dollar makes US exports relatively cheaper in most foreign markets and a weak Chinese yuan makes goods from that low-wage Asian giant a bargain for US consumers.

Hellman Worldwide Logistics, the German-based freight giant that runs its Americas operations from Miami, expects to cash in. It expects 16 percent growth this year for its Miami unit, which posted more than $25 million in revenues in 2004, says unit CEO Karl Weyeneth. Hellman imports, exports and warehouses varied goods, from fresh vegetables to computer parts, bound for Central America and Brazil.

Double-digit growth has its strains, to be sure. Cargo trucks entering MIA often face hours of delays for deliveries on the main NW 25th Street access road to the airport, with freight companies urging construction of a second entry road. MIA users have also suggested a cut in fees to make the airport more price-competitive.

Yet as Kraft Foods found on the passenger side and Hellman for cargo, MIA serves as a powerful draw for companies who depend on travel and transport with the Latin American region.

"There's no other place you have such a choice of air carriers to the Caribbean, Central America and South America than Miami," Weyeneth says. "Miami is always going to be the gateway to the Americas."

Aviation Industry in Miami-Dade:

Jobs, Companies, Wages
(includes aircraft manufacturing and parts, airline service and support
activity for air transportation)

Year       No.      Employment  Average
        Businesses               Salary

2004 *     377          21,527  $46,110

2003       366          22,516  $46,549

2002       382          27,275  $45,853

2001       393          29,444  $44,251

Source: Florida Agency for Workforce Innovation ES202 Reports, The
Beacon Council

* Estimated from first quarter data.

Job Engines: Miami-Dade County's Airports Generate Jobs In Many
Industries
(based on 2003 data)

Sector                                  Total Jobs

Passenger Airlines                           9,859

Fixed Base Operators/Heavy Maintenance       4,892

Freight Transportation                       4,436

Federal Government                           3,710

Construction and Consulting                  3,587

Ground Transportation                        2,530

Retail Concessions                           2,074

Miami Airport Administration                 1,669

Security/Skycaps                             1,218

General Aviation Airport                     1,175

Catering (Non-Airline Owned)                 1,017

Cleaning Services                              875

Permit Holders                                 300

Parking                                        203

Miscellaneous Airport                          155

Total                                       37,700

Source: Miami International Airport, "Economic Impact of Miami-Dade's
System of Airports"

Doreen Hemlock covers international business for the South Florida Sun-Sentinel newspaper.