MIAMI MARCH 24, 2020—Undoubtedly, one of the sectors that is suffering the most from the “coronavirus era” are the concessionaires of Miami International Airport (MIA) and with them its employees, at the moment their Sales have fallen to the lowest level and even if there are no passengers to buy their products; they must pay the County the high percentages that were promised when they won the tender, but how can they pay if they do not have sales?
Apparently what will happen this April will be a large protest by the partners of the county airport, the concessionaires? They are having difficulty maintaining their business; many have chosen to close, because the airport is almost deserted.
On Friday we visited the terminals, took a tour and spoke with some vendors and their employees, they are all concerned, “we have no sales and the county has no solution,” was the general opinion.
All the vendors we spoke to told us that they do not plan to pay the MAG, that is, their monthly guarantee to pay in April, since there are no sales and they have kept their employees, although this week they already began to give them “forced vacations”
We believe that at this time of National Emergency, both the commissioners and the administration and of course the mayor Carlos Giménez should provide a solution to this problem that affects its partners at the airport, for the good of its partners, vendors and employees who are living an uncertainty with the situation created by the evil COVID-19.
One solution would be to cancel the so-called MAG, – (the promise that they must pay the airport monthly for the concession) -, even if it is for a month, which is the term set for the extension of this virus.
Last week Mayor Giménez stated:
“These are extraordinarily difficult times, “As we continue to combat the spread of this virus in Miami-Dade County, we are making daily decisions based on the evolving recommendations of health experts. I am ordering the closure of all hotels, commercial lodging establishments and short-term rentals in Miami-Dade County and fully support the decision by Miami Beach Mayor Dan Gelber and City Manager Jimmy Morales to close hotels and all other commercial lodging establishments on Miami Beach. We must not rule out any measures that will stem the spread of COVID-19 and protect our residents. ”
Mayor Giménez ordered the closure of hotels, and establishments, however the businesses within the Miami International Airport, he has not said anything, “said one of the concessionaires who is concerned about this situation and who sees that his business, with only 5 employees, but will not be able to maintain them without there being no passengers.
According to other dealers, if the mayor “forces us to close, then it means that we would not have to pay.” Apparently that’s what the mayor doesn’t want.
On Saturday we spoke to three commissioners, who told us that they have tried to discuss the matter with the mayor and that Giménez does not even answer calls.
Last week we also spoke with Commissioner Rebeca Sosa and she was interested in giving a solution to the matter, “I think we should negotiate with the concessionaires, they are affected and we should give them a hand, although I am concerned about how the airport will be able to pay the bonds” , the Vice President of the commission told us.
The Board of Commissioners and the mayor must seek a quick solution to the situation affecting their partners at the airport, and in the process will help the thousands of employees who will remain in limbo at least for the duration of the confinement in their homes, ONE SOLUTION TO THE SITUATION IS LOGICAL.
