MIAMI — Miami International Airport’s recently upgraded mobile app MIA Airport Official was named “Best Immigration Initiative” this month at the 2017 Future Travel Experience (FTE) Global Awardsceremony. MIA was recognized for being the first airport in the world authorized by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to integrate Mobile Passport Control into its mobile application, making MIA Airport Official a digital one-stop shop for MIA travelers. Previously, the only option travelers had was to download the separate Mobile Passport Control app if they wanted to clear passport control via mobile device.
The awards ceremony took place at the FTE Global 2017 Gala Party on September 7 at the OMNIA at Caesars Palace, Las Vegas. Nearly 700 attendees gathered from around the world for this year’s FTE Global – an independent global forum for travel industry stakeholders – to reveal their passenger-focused plans, discuss their future visions, and unveil their latest products and services designed to improve the passenger experience and business performance.
“As the gateway for 70 percent of all international passengers to Florida and 96 percent of all visitors to Miami, MIA is the front door to our community,” said Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos A. Gimenez. “I congratulate Director Gonzalez and his exceptional team for the steps they continue to take toward improving the first impression Miami-Dade County makes on our visitors, through world-class technology and world-class customer service.”
After first-time users of MIA Airport Official create and save a traveler profile, those traveling with family will have the option to create multiple traveler profiles and include them in their submission to CBP. Once the desired number of travelers is selected, users will be asked to provide airline information and answer five questions about their travel itinerary. Upon submitting the answers, the app provides users with a digital receipt to be used at dedicated Mobile Passport Control entry lanes. The expedited service does not require pre-approval and is free of charge.
Launched in 2011, the FTE Global Awards celebrate the outstanding efforts of organizations that have gone the extra mile to improve the passenger experience both on the ground and in-flight. Presented to the winners in the presence of their industry peers, the awards recognize the most innovative, ambitious and effective initiatives and organizations across multiple categories. The winners were chosen through consultation with a panel of industry experts, whose identities we keep confidential to maintain their independence.
“As MIA continues to welcome more international passengers, one of our top priorities is to improve our efficiency by turning to technology,” said Miami-Dade Aviation Director Emilio T. González. “We are extremely honored to have been recognized by FTE Global for the recent update to our app, and we look forward to introducing additional passenger enhancements in the coming year.”
This accolade comes just months after MDAD Director of Information Systems and Telecommunications Maurice Jenkins was ranked among the world’s top 10 airport industry figures on the 2017 Future Travel Experience Airport Innovation Power List. MIA was also acknowledged for its innovative initiatives last October, when Airport Innovation Accelerator – an aviation industry community established by the American Association of Airport Executives (AAAE) – awarded the airport its inaugural Airport Innovation Award in recognition of creative projects that improve the passenger experience.
Future Travel Experience (FTE), established in 2006, is an independent events and online media business dedicated to improving the end-to-end passenger experience. Having started with a standalone event in North America, FTE now hosts four annual events around the world – FTE Global, FTE Asia EXPO, FTE Europe and FTE Ancillary – which were attended by more than 2,000 senior air transport and travel industry figures in 2015.
