MIA to install largest rollout of biometric technology in the U.S.

Miami International Airport (MIA) is rolling out biometric boarding for international flights at more than 130 gates.

Installation is expected to be fully completed in 2023. When finished, the project will be the largest implementation of biometric technology at any U.S. airport. 

The system will use SITA’s Smart Path solution, which leverages NEC’s biometric identity platform: passengers step up to a camera at the boarding gate and their picture is used to confirm their identities and their authorization to travel within seconds.

MIA and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) first tested biometric boarding in 2019 during a pilot program with select airlines, with a significant improvement in boarding times.

 “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,” says Ralph Cutié, Miami International Airport director and CEO.

MIA’s launch of biometric boarding follows its airport-wide expansion in 2020 of Simplified Arrival, CBP’s enhanced process for international arrivals that uses facial biometrics to automate the manual document checks required for admission into the U.S.