Heads Up: MIA 9L Is Now the Center Runway

During construction of Miami International Airport’s new 8,600-foot Runway 8/26 (800 feet north of and parallel to existing 10,506-foot Runway 9L/27R), some pilots had steered toward the new strip of pavement when cleared to land on Runway 9L. According to an FAA spokeswoman, there have been no further occurrences since the new runway was commissioned on September 4, when new approach charts were issued. The new runway was designated 8/26 because the existing parallel Runways 9L/27R and 9R/27L have been in place for 40 years. John Stafford, general manager of Signature Flight Support at MIA, said traffic has moved much more efficiently since the new runway was opened.