Miami airport expects record-breaking Christmas surge

Santa Claus isn't the only one coming to town. Miami International Airport expects to receive 3.3 million passengers during the upcoming winter travel season.

Why It matters: That would be a new record for MIA, which estimates it will beat last year's record-setting season by 3%.

• These figures are for the period from Dec. 19-Jan. 5.

Threat level: MIA says peak travel days will be Dec. 20, 26, 27 and Jan. 2 and 3, when more than 190,000 daily passengers are expected to pass through the airport.

• MIA advises travelers to arrive three hours before your flight to give yourself enough time for to park, check in for your flight and go through security.
• To get through security faster, MIA also offers real-time updates on checkpoint wait times online.

The latest: MIA is opening its new Ibis parking garage on Friday, offering 2,240 spaces.

• The airport will now have a total of 10,500 parking spaces across the Ibis, Dolphin and Flamingo garages.

Meanwhile, discounted parking is available at the Economy Park and Ride lot, which requires you to take a shuttle to MIA.

• Valet Parking is located across from MIA's check-in area at doors 2 and 20 in the Dolphin and Flamingo garages.
• You can also get there by ride app, taxi, the Metrorail, Metrobus or the Tri-Rail.
• MIA's Cell Phone Waiting Lot, which provides free parking for those waiting to pick up friends or loved ones, is located just off LeJeune Road and N.W. 31st St.