Travel Channel grants viewers an all-access pass inside the intense and dramatic world of one of the busiest airports in the U.S. in its new original six-episode series, “Airport 24/7: Miami.” Premiering with a special one-hour season opener featuring back-to-back episodes on Tuesday, October 2 at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT and 9:30 p.m. ET/PT, each weekly half-hour show goes beyond the terminal for an unprecedented look at the inner workings of Miami International Airport, also known as MIA. With nearly 40 million passengers a year, MIA is the size of a small city – and considered a “Category X” airport, a prime target for a terrorist attack. Viewers will meet the steadfast MIA team whose jobs it is to keep one of America’s largest airports running around the clock, and see what it takes to fight terrorism, intercept drug smugglers, secure a presidential landing, manage severe weather and much more.
“Airports are a big part of traveling, and this show is a way to give our viewers an exclusive and rare glimpse into this amazing and dynamic world. While most of us are just passing through something is always going on – fuel fires, smuggling rings, medical emergencies, sting operations and aircraft malfunctions. Witnessing firsthand all that it takes to get people safely to their destinations we guarantee will both entertain and make our viewers more informed as travelers,” says Andy Singer, General Manager, Travel Channel.
From seasoned veterans who have literally seen it all after more than 25 years of working at MIA to a rookie passenger service representative reluctantly following in her family’s footsteps, the characters of “Airport 24/7: Miami” embody the culture, personality and soul of their airport and their city.
The series spotlights the ensemble cast of nine airport personnel, and the challenges they face as they work to keep MIA running efficiently. The airport’s overall operations, maintenance, security and communications are the responsibility of Deputy Director Ken Pyatt. Customer Service and Terminal Operations are seen through the eyes of Division Director Dickie Davis, as she enthusiastically leads a large team that includes Operations Officer Heidi Anthony, Senior Agent Tony “The Mayor” Cooper and Operations Control Room Agent Darius Bradshaw. The stakes are even higher for those who ensure passenger safety – on and off the ground. Security experts introduced include Director of Security Lauren Stover, Terminal Security Agent Ericka Middleton and Miami-Dade Police Officer Chris “Stretch” Rutledge. From the ground, Ramp Services Manager Albert Cordeschi is the ringleader that keeps all planes coming and going on time. These individuals of various backgrounds must come together to guarantee a safe and pleasant journey for the thousands of travelers passing through MIA daily.
In the first half-hour episode of the season premiere (9:00 p.m. ET/PT), a TSA officer intercepts a firearm tucked inside a carry-on bag through the checkpoint x-ray. Tensions rise as the passenger is questioned by the Miami-Dade Police Department and they determine that he is neither a U.S. citizen nor does he have a firearms permit. MIA staffers and the Lufthansa team have just over two hours to turn the largest passenger aircraft in the world. When Customs and Border Protection makes a surprise inspection, everyone is caught off guard, and as a result, the jet may not take off on time and 500 passengers may be delayed. TSA intercepts a potential terrorist when an officer spots a knife deliberately hidden in the sole of a sneaker. The passenger also has three forms of ID and is of Middle Eastern descent. A full-scale security response is issued to investigate.
In the second episode of the season opener (9:30 p.m. ET/PT), a driver comes within inches of his life when his car flips over outside the terminal. Initial reports indicate he has suffered severe head trauma, and the prognosis does not look good. This is where the search begins to find out who the victim is and who is waiting for him at arrivals. Customs and Border Protection’s Anti Terrorism and Contraband Enforcement Team hones in on a shipment of tractor parts originating in South America traveling through Miami onto Africa. The canine discovers a cache of cocaine in the least likely place. Security Director Lauren Stover arranges to help a young lady surprise her boyfriend, a soldier who is returning from his tour of duty in Afghanistan, by meeting him at the gate. But a bigger surprise waits when the plan is turned around.
“Airport 24/7: Miami” is produced by 2C Media for Travel Channel. For 2C Media, the executive producers are Chris Sloan, Carla Kaufman Sloan and Shari Solomon Cedar. For Travel Channel, the executive producer is Bill Howard.
TRAVEL CHANNEL (http://www.travelchannel.com) is a multiplatform travel lifestyle brand with the core mission of providing inspiring and compelling programming that takes viewers beyond their everyday destinations, making the unfamiliar familiar, whether it’s around the world or around the block.