MIA Works with SITA to Enable Faster International Arrivals
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Miami International Airport (MIA) has worked with SITA and US Customs and Border Protection (US CBP) to introduce what it claims is the country’s largest automated passport screening system. The new Enhanced Passenger Processing system (EPP) uses SITA’s facial recognition technology to speed up and improve the arrivals experience.
Faster Arrivals Means Less Time Waiting in Line
“This EPP launch is setting a new standard for efficiency at the border by using biometrics to make arrivals smoother, faster, and more secure.”
– Shawn Gregor, SITA
MIA’s EPP system, which runs on SITA’s Smart Path platform, allows travelers to move through identity checks almost instantly. It takes a quick biometric photo from a face pod and verifies a passengers’ identity in about three seconds by matching that image against the US CBP’s secure records.
Twelve pods are now active across the airport’s three passport control facilities in concourses D, E, and J, marking the largest EPP deployment in the country. The biometric units are wireless and mobile, so the airport and US CBP can re-deploy pods where needed to prevent congestion when several international flights arrive at once, for example.
Participation is voluntary. Travelers may choose traditional processing or opt in to the Smart Path flow. The airport argues that either choice helps overall throughput, because having the new EPP system in place eases pressure on the manual lines.
Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava described the rollout as a key part of the airport’s plan to improve efficiency while preserving traveler choice. She said, “Offering EPP for our travelers is part of our commitment to making MIA one of the most technologically advanced and passenger-friendly airports in the country. It’s all about enhancing the overall experience for the millions of visitors who arrive in Miami-Dade County from around the world every year.”
“[US] CBP is actively expanding biometric processing at major US ports of entry to enhance security and streamline the arrival process for travelers,” added US CBP Senior Official Daniel Alonso. “Collaborations like the one at MIA are essential for ensuring secure and efficient borders while delivering a seamless experience for international travelers.”
North America Pushes Ahead on Biometrics
“Collaborations like the one at MIA are essential for ensuring secure and efficient borders while delivering a seamless experience for international travelers.”
– Daniel Alonso, US CBP
Airports and airlines across North America have accelerated their investment in biometric tools and digital identity systems in recent times.
SITA’s 2024 Air Transport IT Insights report shows that 53 per cent of North American airlines are already investing in biometric and digital identity management, outpacing the global average. Furthermore, nearly 60 per cent of airports in the region have adopted touchless passenger flow technologies in line with what is happening at MIA.
“Miami is one of America’s busiest international gateways and the door to Latin America and beyond,” said SITA President of the Americas Shawn Gregor. “This EPP launch is setting a new standard for efficiency at the border by using biometrics to make arrivals smoother, faster, and more secure for everyone. It can also scale over time to additional terminals and increased capacity.”
MIA welcomes tens of millions of visitors each year and serves as a key hub linking North America with Latin America and the Caribbean. Instead of relying on major construction to handle rising demand, the airport chose smart automation that strengthens processing behind the scenes.
SITA’s US biometric exit program now includes more than 600 biometric-enabled systems used by nearly every airline with international flights. The solution delivers a proven 99.5 per cent match rate and cuts boarding times by about 30 per cent, giving airports a faster and more secure way to manage departures. It is already in place at major hubs including Orlando, Miami, San Francisco, Boston Logan, San Diego, Los Angeles’ TBIT terminal, and Philadelphia.