MIA partners with CBP and SITA for facial recognition departures

Miami International Airport (MIA) has introduced biometric exit technology starting with a Lufthansa flight to Munich. The airport expects to launch biometric boarding with additional airlines this year.

Through a partnership between MIA, Lufthansa, CBP and SITA, a photograph taken at Lufthansa’s boarding gate is used to confirm passengers’ identities and their authorization to travel. The facial recognition verification process takes less than two seconds with a 99-percent matching rate, according to CBP.

“MIA continues to explore innovative ways of streamlining and expediting the travel experience for visitors to our community,” explained Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos A. Gimenez. “I look forward to seeing biometric exit technology expand throughout MIA and enhance the level of customer service for its passengers.”

“Collaboration with our Miami-Dade County, Lufthansa and SITA partners has resulted in real momentum toward enhancing both traveler safety and convenience at MIA,” added said CBP Miami Port Director Christopher Maston. “This has helped make the path forward in the implementation of a biometric entry-exit system that will transform travel for all flyers.”

The launch of biometric exit at MIA follows the airport’s February 2018 opening of America’s first all-biometric entry facility at Concourse E, which screens all international arrivals via facial recognition. The facility, which has decreased processing times by as much as 80 percent for participating airlines, won the 2018 International Airport Review Award in the Passenger Experience and Seamless Travel category.

“This is another great success at MIA where we have teamed up to improve the passenger experience through innovation,” said Diana Einterz, SITA President, Americas. “We have worked closely with the US CBP, airlines and airports to design a seamless biometric exit solution that meets the needs of all parties. SITA Smart Path is based on industry-standard common-use gates so it can be used by any other airline at MIA.”

Article Topics

airport biometrics  |  biometric exit  |  biometrics  |  CBP  |  facial recognition  |  passenger processing  |  SITA