Miami International Airport (MIA) has successfully completed third-party verification of its 2025 greenhouse gas emissions, demonstrating a measurable reduction in carbon intensity per passenger and advancing the facility toward Level 2 Certification under the Airport Carbon Accreditation program.

The verification, announced by the Miami-Dade Aviation Department (MDAD) on July 1, 2026, confirms that the airport reduced its total Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions from a 2023 baseline while simultaneously managing record traffic volumes. Upon receiving final certification from Airports Council International (ACI), the facility will become the 16th airport in the United States and the second in Florida to achieve Level 2 status.

Tracking carbon intensity against passenger growth

The third-party verification process documented absolute reductions in the airport’s operational carbon footprint. Total Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions fell to 98,275 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) in 2025, down from the 2023 base year total of 102,789 metric tons.

Carbon intensity efficiency per passenger also improved during the two-year period, dropping from 2.03 kilograms of CO2e in 2023 to 1.78 kilograms of CO2e in 2025. This efficiency gain occurred during a period of significant growth, as the airport handled 55.3 million passengers in 2025.

The Miami-Dade Aviation Department has established a phased timeline for further emissions reductions. The airport targets a 20 percent reduction in total Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 2035, relative to the 2023 baseline. Subsequent targets include a 35 percent reduction in total emissions by 2045 and a 50 percent reduction by 2055.

Infrastructure investments driving efficiency

Miami International Airport is operated by the Miami-Dade Aviation Department and is the property of Miami-Dade County. As one of the largest energy consumers in the county, the airport generates monthly electricity costs exceeding $2 million.

To address this consumption, the airport has executed substantial infrastructure upgrades over the past several years. In November 2020, the facility completed Phase II of its Sustainability Project. The $45 million investment encompassed energy-efficient lighting, water conservation measures, and heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) upgrades. These improvements generate an estimated $3.2 million in annual utility savings.

Earlier that same year, in January 2020, the airport partnered with Florida Power & Light Company to launch a half-acre, 402-panel floating solar installation in the adjacent Blue Lagoon. The array, which was the first of its kind at an airport, generates 160 kilowatts of power.

The Airport Carbon Accreditation framework

The Airport Carbon Accreditation program, administered by Airports Council International, serves as the primary global carbon management certification standard for airports. The framework requires independent assessment of an airport’s efforts to measure, manage, and reduce carbon emissions through a multi-level certification structure.

Miami International Airport previously earned Level 1 (Mapping) accreditation on July 30, 2024. That initial certification required the airport to map its carbon footprint and commit to a 50 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030, aligning with the broader Miami-Dade County Climate Action Strategy.

The emissions reductions come amid record economic output for the facility. On June 2, 2026, the airport reported that its economic impact reached $212 billion in 2025. In addition to its 55.3 million passengers, the airport processed nearly 3.5 million tons of Cargo aircraft, maintaining its position as the busiest cargo airport in the United States and the eighth-busiest passenger gateway in the nation.

Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) broke ground on September 29, 2026, on Concourse M, a new six-gate reliever facility designed to preserve operational capacity during the airport’s multi-billion dollar expansion program.

In a press release issued by the City of Austin, officials confirmed the approximately 37,000-square-foot terminal and an accompanying Maintenance Ramp Expansion will allow the airport to maintain passenger flow and narrow-body aircraft operations while major construction advances on the future 26-gate Concourse B and the remodeling of Concourse A.

Preserving capacity during major construction

Concourse M will operate as a standalone facility on the west side of the AUS airfield, physically separate from the main Barbara Jordan Terminal. Passengers will access the new concourse via a shuttle bus operating from Gate 13, which is currently the airport’s only ground-level gate. The facility will feature four contact gates and two walk-out gates specifically configured for narrow-body aircraft.

The Austin City Council previously authorized a food service and retail concession lease agreement for the facility with Star Concessions on March 26, 2026. The concourse will include a coffee market with 24-hour vending, restrooms, a nursing room, public WiFi, and a pet relief area.

“Concourse M is a critical component of the Journey With AUS expansion program, allowing us to advance major construction while continuing to serve millions of passengers each year,” Ghizlane Badawi, Chief Executive Officer of Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, stated in the release.

The design joint venture of Stantec and Fentress Architects, alongside planning firm RS&H, developed the facilities. Hensel Phelps serves as the prime contractor for Concourse M.

Maintenance ramp and airfield upgrades

Alongside the passenger terminal, the September 29, 2026, groundbreaking included the Maintenance Ramp Expansion project, managed by construction firm Austin Bridge & Road. This airfield upgrade will add six new aircraft parking positions, comprising four equipped with jet bridges and two designated for ground-loading.

The expanded ramp is designed to accommodate up to 18 diverted aircraft, providing critical operational flexibility during irregular operations or severe weather events. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) allocated $9 million in funding specifically for the ramp expansion component.

The Journey With AUS expansion program

The new infrastructure arrives as Austin experiences unprecedented passenger demand. In June and July 2026, the airport recorded its busiest and second-busiest months in history, processing over 2.1 million passengers each month. International traffic is also expanding, highlighted by Delta Air Lines (DL) announcing its first-ever transatlantic service from Austin to Paris (CDG) in August 2026.

Austin Mayor Kirk Watson noted that the infrastructure planning is essential to sustaining the region’s economic vitality. “Concourse M will allow AUS to maintain reliable operations while multiple construction projects through the Journey With AUS expansion program advance across the airport, preserving gate capacity and keeping passengers, airlines, and commerce moving,” Watson said.

The broader expansion program is funded through a combination of airport revenues, cash reserves, federal grants, and future airport revenue bond proceeds. Officials noted that no local taxpayer dollars are being used for the projects.

The Maintenance Ramp Expansion is slated for completion in 2027, followed by the targeted opening of Concourse M in 2028.

Air Transport Services Group, Inc. (ATSG) announced on September 28, 2026, an agreement to sell its passenger charter subsidiary, Omni Air International, to OAI Holdings, LLC, marking a strategic pivot to focus exclusively on its core air cargo and leasing operations.

In a press release issued on September 28, the Wilmington, Ohio-based aviation holding company confirmed the divestiture of the Tulsa, Oklahoma-based passenger Aircraft, Crew, Maintenance, and Insurance (ACMI) provider. The transaction is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2026 or early 2027, pending customary regulatory approvals. Financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

Strategic shift toward air cargo

ATSG has been signaling a tighter focus on the freighter market. The sale of Omni removes the company’s primary passenger-focused asset. Omni was founded in 1993 and operates passenger flights to more than 80 countries annually.

ATSG President and Chief Executive Officer Greg Mays stated that the company had been evaluating strategic options for Omni to capitalize on opportunities in the Cargo-Aircraft sector.

“This transaction allows us to focus our resources more fully on serving that market and related customers. We look forward to continuing to execute on our strategic vision, and are confident that OAI is the right next owner for Omni and their customers as they will benefit from OAI’s decades of proven aviation experience,” Mays said in the release.

Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC is serving as the financial advisor to ATSG, with Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP and Hogan Lovells Cadwalader US LLP acting as legal counsel. BDT & MSD Partners and Spencer Fane, LLP are advising OAI Holdings.

Recent corporate realignment

The divestiture follows a series of corporate moves by ATSG in September 2026 aimed at strengthening its cargo and leasing portfolio. On September 16, the company announced executive leadership changes, appointing Mike Hough as Group President of Airlines & Services, and Tim Schulze as Chief Risk & Corporate Development Officer.

On September 15, ATSG subsidiary ABX Air secured a long-term ACMI agreement to operate a Boeing 767-300 freighter for Miami-based Global Aviation Link, Inc. ATSG’s current freighter fleet relies heavily on the Boeing 767-200ER and Boeing 767-300ER platforms, alongside Airbus A321 and Airbus A330 converted freighters.

Omni operates a fleet that includes Boeing 767-200ER, Boeing 767-300ER, and Boeing 777-200ER aircraft configured for passenger operations. The transition to OAI Holdings is intended to position the passenger charter operator for long-term development under ownership dedicated to that specific market segment.

AirPro News analysis

We view ATSG’s decision to offload Omni Air International as a logical consolidation of its business model. Operating a passenger ACMI and charter airline requires different regulatory, operational, and marketing resources compared to a dedicated freighter and leasing enterprise. By shedding the passenger segment, ATSG can streamline its maintenance and crew training programs around its core cargo operations.

The timing aligns with a broader industry stabilization in air cargo demand following the post-pandemic normalization period. ATSG is positioning itself to capture dedicated freighter growth, particularly in the e-commerce and express logistics sectors, without the distraction of managing a distinct passenger charter brand.

Sources: Air Transport Services Group, Inc. Press Release, Air Transport Services Group, Inc. Corporate Updates