Passengers departing Miami International Airport will soon be able to board international flights with just the quick, touchless click of a camera, thanks to the implementation of biometric boarding at all of the airport’s gates.
On Tuesday (May 17, 2022), Miami International Airport (MIA) announced that they have approved a contract for the implementation of biometric boarding at all of the airport’s over 130 gates by 2023. Passengers departing MIA will soon be able to board their international flights with just the quick, touchless click of a camera. When completed, the project will be the largest implementation of biometric technology at any U.S. airport. The system uses SITA’s Smart Path solution, which leverages NEC’s biometric identity platform to confirm a customer’s identity and authorization to travel within seconds. In coordination with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), MIA first tested biometric boarding in 2019 in a pilot program with select airlines, which resulted in a significant boarding time improvements.
In Monday’s announcment, Miami-Dade County’s Mayor, Daniella Levine Cava, said,
“The launch of biometric boarding at MIA is the latest way that Miami-Dade County is leveraging technology to improve customer service and simplify operations. I am proud to see our airport lead the nation with this cutting-edge innovation that will streamline the boarding process for our passengers.”
Also commenting on the biometric boarding rollout, MIA’s Director and CEO, Ralph Cutié, said,
“We look forward to elevating our passenger experience with this state-of-the-art boarding solution. MIA is now the busiest U.S. airport for international travel and continues to set new records each month for passenger growth. Biometric boarding is one of the major steps we are taking to pave the way for additional growth in the years to come.”
SITA’s President – Americas, Matthys Serfontein, added,
“Globally we see that passengers want a faster journey through the airport where key steps in the journey are automated. Our Smart Path biometric solution will enable future expansion to other touchpoints at MIA as well as the use of multiple forms of digital identity.”
Miami International Airport’s biometric boarding program follows the previous airport-wide expansion of ‘Simplified Arrival’, the U.S. Customs and Border Patrol’s enhanced process for international arrivals that uses facial biometrics to automate manual document checks required for U.S. admission.
Miami International Airport to Rollout Quick, Touchless Biometric Boarding - Courtesy MIA
Source: Miami International Airport