CBP’s largest single deployment of automated passport screening in the U.S
Miami International Airport (MIA) has introduced U.S. Customs and Border (CBP) Protection’s Enhanced Passenger Processing (EPP) to deliver faster and more secure arrivals for U.S. citizens.
MIA, in collaboration with CBP, is one of several U.S. airports to go live with EPP this year and is home to CBP’s largest single deployment of EPP.
CBP’s EPP initiative captures and processes biometric photos during inspection, verifying passengers by matching images against CBP’s records within three seconds. This automation reduces wait times while upholding the highest security standards.
At MIA, the process involves 12 biometric face pods across MIA’s three passport control facilities, located in concourses D, E, and J, making it CBP’s largest single EPP deployment to date. MIA’s broader digital transformation strategy may include future expansion.
The mobile wireless-enabled pods can be repositioned as passenger flow changes, helping CBP optimize staffing and throughput. Each unit is equipped with agent-facing screens for real-time monitoring, ensuring that the technology enhances both passenger experience and officer oversight.
Daniel Alonso, Senior Official Performing the Duties of the Director at Customs and Border Protection.
CBP is actively expanding biometric processing at major U.S. ports of entry to enhance security and streamline the arrival process for travelers. Collaborations like the one at MIA are essential for ensuring secure and efficient borders while delivering a seamless experience for international travelers.
U.S. Customs and Border (CBP) Protection’s Enhanced Passenger Processing (EPP)
EPP is a contactless inspection process which uses auto-capture cameras and biometric facial comparison technology to process passengers.
The system captures a passenger’s face and automatically matches it to images stored in the CBP database.
EPP is available for United States citizens arriving at U.S. airports, preclearance airports, or seaports. CBP continues to expand EPP to additional ports of entry.
Supplier
The new system is provided by SITA, a longtime partner of MIA.
The SITA system is called Smart Path and is based on facial recognition technology.
According to SITA’s latest Air Transport IT Insights, 53% of North American airlines are already investing in biometric and digital identity management, outpacing the global average. Meanwhile, nearly 60% of airports have implemented touchless passenger flow technologies, indicating that the region is at the forefront of aviation’s digital transformation.
The introduction of EPP at MIA directly supports this trend, enabling more efficient processing without the need for new infrastructure, and demonstrating how biometrics and mobile connectivity can help alleviate congestion as passenger volumes increase.
Shawn Gregor, President Americas at SITA.
Miami is one of America’s busiest international gateways and the door to Latin America and beyond. 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, and can easily scale over time to additional terminals and to handle increased capacity.
About Miami International Airport (MIA)
Miami International Airport is America’s busiest airport for international freight and the second busiest for international passengers. It is receiving an unprecedented investment of $9 billion in capital improvements and maintenance upgrades.
MIA offers more flights to Latin America and the Caribbean than any other U.S. airport and is also the leading economic engine for Miami-Dade County and the state of Florida, generating business revenue of $181 billion and approximately 60 per cent of all international visitors to Florida annually.
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Miami International Airport (MIA)
U.S. Customs and Border (CBP) Protection’s Enhanced Passenger Processing (EPP)
