Miami International Airport has implemented the Enhanced Passenger Processing (EPP) system. Considered the largest deployment of biometric technology by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) in the country. This initiative, developed in collaboration with SITA, automates passport control for U.S. citizens, speeds up entry, and strengthens border security.
How Does the EPP Technology Work?
The EPP uses SITA’s Smart Path platform to capture biometric photographs of travelers during inspection. The system compares the taken image with CBP records in a span of three seconds, enabling fast and accurate identity verification. This fully automated process reduces manual intervention and allows CBP agents to focus on passengers requiring more thorough screening.
Currently, the deployment at Miami International Airport includes 12 facial biometric booths distributed in passport control areas of terminals D, E, and J. This is the largest single deployment of EPP carried out by CBP to date. The booths, equipped with wireless technology, can be relocated based on passenger flow and feature agent-facing screens for real-time monitoring.
This flexibility allows for optimizing staff allocation and processing capacity, and the airport plans to potentially expand the system to other terminals in the future. Among the main benefits of EPP, CBP highlights the significant reduction in wait times for U.S. travelers, improved border security, and optimized human resources.
Border Agents Remain Available to Assist Passengers
The process, in addition to being fast and contactless, maintains the presence of CBP agents to assist passengers at any time during inspection. Daniel Alonso, a senior CBP official, emphasized the importance of these collaborations: “CBP is actively expanding biometric processing at major U.S. entry points to enhance security and streamline traveler arrivals. Collaborations like the one with Miami International Airport are essential to ensuring secure and efficient borders.”
The introduction of EPP in Miami is part of a broader airport modernization strategy. Miami International Airport has noted that the region leads in adopting biometric technologies and contactless processes, with 53% of North American airlines investing in digital identity management and nearly 60% of airports implementing contactless passenger flows.
Passengers Can Opt Out of Biometric Data Processing
The airport, which is the main international entry point for Latin America and the Caribbean and the second in international passenger volume in the United States, is receiving a USD 9 billion investment in infrastructure improvements and maintenance, reinforcing its position as an economic engine for Miami-Dade County and the state of Florida.
Regarding passenger rights, CBP has clarified that those who do not wish to participate in the biometric process can notify an agent and will be processed through the standard entry procedure. Officers remain available to guide and assist travelers throughout the process, ensuring that automation does not replace personalized attention when needed.
Image: Infobae
