Miami Air International
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Airline |
| Founded | August 1990 |
| Defunct | May 2020 |
| Headquarters | Miami-Dade County , United States |
Area served | Global |
Key people | Tomas Romero (senior leadership) |
| Products | Charter passenger flight services |
Number of employees | 405 (2007) |
Miami Air International
Miami Air International was an American charter airline based in Miami-Dade County, Florida, providing global passenger flight services predominantly for cruise lines, professional sports franchises, and the U.S. military. Established in August 1990, its headquarters were located at Miami International Airport. The airline catered to a broad spectrum of clients such as incentive travel groups, Fortune 500 corporations, leading cruise operators, entertainers, political figures, and various government entities.
As part of the Civil Reserve Air Fleet (CRAF) program, Miami Air maintained a contract with the United States Air Force Air Mobility Command (USAF AMC), delivering troop and cargo transportation solutions. The airline’s operational approach centered on offering adaptable charter flights customized for niche markets, capitalizing on strategic alliances to sustain its competitive position within the air charter sector.
Operations were halted in May 2020 due to financial difficulties worsened by postponed government bailout assistance amid the COVID-19 crisis. Among its senior leadership was Tomas Romero, who played a pivotal role in guiding the company during its active years.
History
Miami Air International was founded in August 1990 and commenced flight operations in October 1991 utilizing leased Boeing 727-200 aircraft. The company was spearheaded by George Lyall—who brought significant experience from Eastern Air Lines and Pan Am—and Ross Fischer, former head of System Operations at People Express and Eastern Airlines, alongside other seasoned aviation professionals. By the year 2000, Miami Air had expanded its fleet to eight Boeing 727s and achieved revenues exceeding $100 million.
In 2000, a group led by Eagle Global Logistics (EGL) acquired a controlling interest in the company, redirecting efforts toward cargo operations by converting Boeing 727s for freight use under Quest International based in Austin, Texas. Passenger services persisted through leased Boeing 737-800 aircraft. However, after the events of September 11 and FedEx securing postal contracts, the market for leasing Boeing 727s declined sharply. Consequently, EGL terminated cargo activities and divested the aircraft by early 2002.
The airline’s passenger division experienced substantial growth driven by expanding military contracts, increasing its fleet to eight Boeing 737-800s and two passenger-configured Boeing 727s by 2005. Subsequently, TSI Holding Company acquired full ownership by purchasing shares from EGL and original founders.
Primarily operating as an on-demand charter airline with Boeing 737-800 aircraft, Miami Air served a diverse clientele including military units, professional sports teams, cruise operators, tour companies, and incentive groups worldwide. Significant contracts included charters for NFL teams such as the Miami Dolphins and Pittsburgh Steelers in 2017. By March 2007, Miami Air employed approximately 405 personnel and was entirely owned by TSI Holdings. Due to an IATA code conflict with Air Greenland, its code was changed from GL to LL.
On March 24, 2020, Miami Air filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection and ceased all flight operations by May 8, returning leased planes to TUI fly Belgium. Later that month, Tomas Romero—owner of World Atlantic Airlines—purchased Miami Air’s operating certificates and trademarks for $3.3 million during bankruptcy proceedings.
The resurrected Miami Air intended to continue operating with the same aircraft type while retaining key staff from the former company and adding new experienced employees.
Final fleet
At the time of its shutdown, Miami Air International maintained a fleet consisting of six Boeing 737-800 aircraft, each configured to accommodate between 118 and 168 passengers, primarily serving medium-range charter routes with an emphasis on operational efficiency.
Retired fleet
In earlier years, the airline operated various aircraft types including Boeing 727-200s from 1991 to 2005, Boeing 737-400s between 2006 and 2017, a leased Boeing 767-200 during 2011 and 2012, as well as McDonnell Douglas MD-87s from 2000 to 2002. These changes in fleet composition reflected strategic adjustments in response to evolving market requirements.
Accidents and incidents
On May 3, 2019, Flight 293 of Miami Air International veered off the runway and ended up in the St. Johns River amid severe weather conditions at Naval Air Station Jacksonville. All 143 passengers and crew survived the incident, though 21 individuals sustained injuries.