After 10 years away from South Florida, American Airlines’ Marilyn DeVoe has returned to run the airline’s operations at Miami International Airport, where a new terminal is underway and nearing completion.

Ms. DeVoe most recently served as vice president at American’s Dallas/Fort Worth headquarters. In her new role running airline operations in Miami, she plans to focus on improving the customer experience. 

In part, that means rolling out new technology like a handheld mobile device, now in the testing phase, that allows agents to issue tickets and bag tags to customers right on the spot.

Another aim: growing service. Today, American operates 289 flights daily and counting – up from the 19 daily flights Ms. DeVoe remembers from 20 years ago. Though most plans are still under wraps, Ms. DeVoe was able to reveal that the airline has applied for authority to run new service to Brasilia, Brazil.

Meanwhile, here in Miami, gates continue to open at the long-in-the-works new north terminal, expected to be complete in 2011.

“Every day we’re seeing improvements and continuing to grow,” Ms. DeVoe said. “If you walk through the concourse now, it is just a beautiful place to be, a great place to work.”

She talked airline growth and industry trends in an interview with Miami Today staff writer Risa Polansky.