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FIRST QUARTERLY REPORT ON DIRECT AIR SERVICE BETWEEN MIAMI INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT (MIA) AND SINGAPORE, TOKYO, RIYADH, AND ASUNCION - DIRECTIVE NO. 252061

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Date:

To: Honorable Chairman Anthony Rodriguez
and Members, Board of County Commissioners

From: Daniella Levine Cava
Mayor

Subject: First Quarterly Report on Direct Air Service between
Miami International Airport (MIA) and Singapore, Tokyo,
Riyadh, and Asuncion - Directive No. 252061

STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Executive Summary
This report is in response to Resolution No. R-1036-25 (Resolution), sponsored by Commissioner Danielle Cohen Higgins, and adopted by the Board of County Commissioners (Board) on October 21, 2025. The Resolution directs the County Mayor or the County Mayor�s designee to (i) determine the feasibility of establishing direct passenger or cargo air service between MIA and Singapore, Tokyo, Riyadh, and Asunci�n, and if feasible, solicit the routes from the appropriate airline carriers, potentially in coordination with the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce, the Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau, and the Beacon Council, and (ii) place a quarterly report on a Board agenda, subject to committee review, providing an update on the efforts taken to provide such air service, any outreach to airline carriers, or changes in feasibility. The Resolution also instructed the International Trade Consortium (ITC), among other things, (i) to the extent feasible, negotiate and prepare Sister Cities Agreements and transmit those agreements to the County Mayor or County Mayor�s designee for execution, and (ii) to provide a separate report to the Board regarding the status of the negotiations. ITC has indicated that a separate report will be placed on a Board agenda in response to the resolution.

After extensive discussions with multiple carriers during the Routes World Conferences held on October 15�17, 2023, and October 4�8, 2024, as well as followup meetings with American Airlines on May 13 and October 14, 2025, and additional consultations with government officials, it has been determined that longhaul aircraft shortages remain the primary barrier to launching new international routes, with meaningful fleet relief expected in two to three years. Singapore is not viable for nonstop passenger service with any aircraft currently in operation. Tokyo presents the strongest nearterm opportunity through a partnership with Japan Airlines (JAL). Riyadh is unlikely due to fleet limitations at Riyadh Air, while Jeddah, Saudi Arabia offers a more realistic alternative via Saudia Airlines. There is also potential for service between Asunci�n and MIA, pending a forthcoming decision from GOL Airlines.

On the cargo side, Singapore and Riyadh lack freighter service and have limited prospects. Jeddah is again the more feasible Saudi gateway through Saudia Airlines. Tokyo (Narita International Airport) shows longterm potential with Nippon Cargo Airlines, though nearterm growth is constrained. Asunci�n is already adequately served by Avianca Cargo and LATAM Cargo.

As part of MIA�s broader modernization program, establishing direct air connectivity to certain international cities is vital to strengthening global travel and trade, advancing MiamiDade County�s longterm economic development objectives, and enhancing the capacity of international businesses to operate, invest, and expand within the community.


First Quarterly Report
Over the past three years, MiamiDade Aviation Department (MDAD) staff has been, and continues to be, engaged in a structured, multiphase route development process for the destinations identified in this directive: Singapore, Tokyo, Riyadh, and Asunci�n, except for Tokyo, which MDAD has actively pursued since June 2011. These cities represent major financial, commercial, and emerging trade hubs that align with the County�s trade, tourism, and business objectives, and help preserve MIA�s competitive standing among U.S. airports. Expanding air connectivity with these cities would reinforce the County�s standing as a global economic gateway. To support that expansion, MDAD continues to move forward with a route development strategy built on market analysis, targeted airline engagement, international outreach, participation in global route conferences, and direct discussions with airline leadership. The goal is to identify and secure viable new air service opportunities that strengthen MIA�s global connectivity.

The First Quarterly Report and all subsequent quarterly reports will outline key information and progress updates in the routedevelopment process for each destination. This includes airline and government engagement, route feasibility and status, notable developments, next steps, and an anticipated timeline.

Table 1, as shown below, provides a consolidated overview of the progress achieved to date, with detailed narrative updates for each destination presented in the sections that follow.

Destination Overview

Table 1: Route Development Status

Destination
Airline/
Government Engagement

Route
Feasibility/
Status
Notable
Developments

Next
Steps
Anticipated Timeline
Singapore
Singapore
Airlines
planning to
meet MDAD
staff in the
World Routes
Fall
conference or prior.

Under
discussion with MDAD staff
as
strong
potential for
cargo.

Cargo Study
pending.

Singapore
Airline does not
have long-range passenger
aircraft availability
and has limited
cargo aircraft
availability.

Meetings with
MDAD staff
continue.

Continue
discussions
with
Singapore
Airlines.

TBD
Tokyo
Japan Airlines (JAL)


Long-Term
Opportunity.

Business Case completed.
JAL has
long-range aircraft
availability,
and it further
increases
in 2-3 years.
MIA is inviting
charter flights for
World Baseball
Classic to
showcase
operational
capacity.

Future cargo
service
potential with
Nippon Cargo
Airlines.
Maintain
engagement
with JAL.

Continue
coordinating
charter flights
for World
Baseball
Classic.
2-3 years
Riyadh/Jeddah

Saudia
Airlines

Riyadh Airport
is under
renovation,
and Riyadh Air
does not
have
long-range
aircraft
to provide direct
passenger and
cargo services.

Jeddah is a
more likely
destination for
such services.

Airline
studies
completed.
Jeddah is more
favorable.
Saudia Airlines
views
Miami
as a strong market,
but requires
aircraft
acquisition.
Support Saudia
Airline planning efforts; continue
coordination on operational and market
readiness.
2-3 years
Asunci�n
Paraguayan
government
led
developments

Market and
airlines
studies
completed.

Discussions
regarding the
potential for *FifthFreedom
operations via
Asunci�n were
initiated with
GOL Airlines
in 2024. At that
time, GOL
Airlines showed
no interest in
pursuing the opportunity.
However, on
Feb. 12, 2026
GOL expressed a
renewed desire
to reevaluate
the route,
signaling
a possible shift
in their strategic
outlook.
The Paraguayan
government is
working with
MDAD to
establish non-stop
passenger service.

Currently,
American
Airlines (AA)
does not have
the aircraft.

GOL Airlines is reevaluating
the route
with a decision
possibly
in February
2026.

Cargo services
between MIA and
Asuncion is
currently
provided by
Avianca and
LATAM Cargo.

Continue
supporting developments, market, and operational
readiness.

Follow-up
discussions with
GOL Airlines
regarding the
possibility of
launching
service in
February
2026.
2026-27
*Fifth Freedom Flight - is an international air service that allows an airline to carry passengers between two foreign countries as part of a route that begins or ends in the airline�s home country. It is one of the �Freedoms of the Air� established under international aviation agreements.

1. Singapore
Singapore is a leading global financial center and a critical gateway to Southeast Asia. Currently, direct passenger service between MIA and Singapore Changi Airport (SIN) is unlikely due to the range limitations of current aircraft.

Direct cargo service is more probable, since it does not require nonstop service. Many cargo routes have multiple stops within their route. Singapore Airlines Cargo has limited aircraft but plans to order more in the future. MDAD continues to engage with the airline and the Singapore Embassy�s Trade & Tourism Office, with meetings held on November 21, 2025, December 1, 2025, and most recently on February 2, 2026, to further discuss opportunities for potential service collaboration.

2. Tokyo
Tokyo is home to one of the world�s largest metropolitan economies and serves as a central hub for finance, advanced manufacturing, and technology. Direct flights from Miami would significantly enhance access to Japan and Northeast Asia, facilitating business travel, investment activities, and cultural and educational exchanges.

Mayor Daniella Levine Cava traveled to Japan from November 25 to December 6, 2023, as part of the Americas Linkage trade mission with the County�s International Trade Consortium (ITC) in partnership with the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce (GMCC). During the trip, the Mayor and the Miami-Dade delegation met with senior representatives of JAL to promote Miami as a destination and to discuss the potential for direct air service between Tokyo and Miami. JAL agreed to continue evaluating the route. Since then, MDAD staff has met with JAL annually at the Southeast U.S./Japan Joint Meeting each fall, as well as during the Routes World Conference held in October 2025.

Most recently, JAL acquired a variety of new passenger aircraft capable of flying direct between Tokyo and MIA for their current destination network, and more are expected to arrive for new routes within the next two to three years, increasing the potential for service. In the meantime, MDAD continues to pursue the destination and is facilitating multiple charter flights for this Spring's World Baseball Classic games (as MIA did in 2023), which will continue to showcase the airport's ability to efficiently handle flights from Japan, including all airfield and terminal operations and VIPs.

3. Riyadh/Jeddah �
Riyadh is rapidly emerging as a global business and investment center under Saudi Arabia�s Vision 2030 initiative, which is driving increased international trade, tourism, and aviation demand. The government of Saudi Arabia has committed to establishing two hubs, one in Riyadh and one in Jeddah.

Riyadh Airport is undergoing massive renovations and expansion to become the largest in the world, with completion expected in 20 years. Riyadh Air is a new airline with a limited fleet of long-range aircraft. Therefore, they do not currently have the feasibility to fly nonstop to Miami. The airline plans to receive additional aircraft over the next several years. After multiple meetings with both the airline and the airport during October and November of 2025, MIA determined that the potential for short-term direct air service is limited, and that a more favorable option is service to Jeddah.

Jeddah is another major commercial gateway to Saudi Arabia and the Red Sea region, serving as a hub for trade, logistics, and tourism. A direct flight via Saudia Airlines from Miami would strengthen economic ties with the Middle East, support the growing demand for business and leisure travel, and improve access to markets across the Gulf, Africa, and South Asia. Saudia Airlines believes Miami is a great opportunity but requires two to three years to acquire the necessary aircraft and establish service, which were discussed on October 15, 2025.

4. Asunci�n
Asunci�n serves as Paraguay�s economic and governmental center and is a strategic gateway to South America. It is the only Latin American capital not served from Miami. Direct service would enhance access to emerging markets, foster agricultural and manufacturing trade, and strengthen business ties throughout the region. Currently, the Paraguayan government is working with MDAD to establish service between MIA and Silvio Pettirossi International Airport (ASU/SGAS) in Asunci�n. American Airlines is the most likely airline to provide the service but currently does not have the proper aircraft to operate the route.

As mentioned previously, MDAD staff met with GOL Airlines during the Routes World Conference in 2024 and discussed idea of Fifth Freedom Flights via Asuncion, but at the time, GOL Airlines did not express any interest. However, it appears that there has been a shift in position and as recently as February 12, 2026, as GOL Airlines is re-evaluating the route, and has engaged with the Paraguayan government regarding Fifth Freedom rights. It is now highly probable that the carrier may announce air service between MIA and Asuncion route in February 2026. Mayor Daniella Levine Cava traveled to Asunci�n on May 27�28, 2025, to meet with the city�s mayor, an effort that has undoubtedly supported and advanced this initiative.

Conclusion
MIA is pursuing new direct international routes through a structured development strategy, with progress largely dependent on aircraft availability, which will reinforce Miami-Dade County�s standing as a global economic gateway. Highlights include cargo discussions with Singapore Airlines, feasible passenger service to Tokyo with JAL, and a favorable outlook for future service to Jeddah with Saudia Airlines, all expected within the next two to three years. A planned MIA-Asunci�n route is targeted for 2027.

Given the lengthy and complex process involved in negotiating and establishing direct flight routes between MIA and international cities, my Administration recommends scheduling this report on a semiannual or annual basis rather than quarterly. Should you require additional information, please contact Aviation Director, Ralph Cuti�, at 305-876-7066.

cc: Geri Bonzon-Keenan, County Attorney
Jess McCarty, First Assistant County Attorney
Office of the Mayor Senior Staff
Office of Policy and Budgetary Affairs
Ralph Cuti�, Director, Miami-Dade Aviation Department
Basia Pruna, Director, Clerk of the Board
Adeyinka Majekodunmi, Commission Auditor
Eugene Love, Agenda Coordinator

Honorable Chairman Joe A. Martinez
and Members, Board of County Commissioners
Extension of the term of the Expedited Purchasing Program (EPP)
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Honorable Chairman Anthony Rodriguez
and Members, Board of County Commissioners
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