Cites 'Creative Work To Improve The Passenger Experience'

Miami International Airport has been selected by the Airport Innovation Accelerator – an aviation industry community established by the American Association of Airport Executives (AAAE) – to receive the inaugural Airport Innovation Award for its creative work to improve the passenger experience. The Airport Innovation Accelerator is a hub for innovation that brings together airports with corporate leaders, start-ups, regulators, airlines and key aviation stakeholders to drive creative approaches and build airports of the future. The award was presented to MIA officials on October 12 at the 2nd Annual Airport Innovation Forum in Silicon Valley.

"In addition to leading Miami-Dade County in economic impact and bringing visitors to our community, MIA is a local and national innovation leader as well," said Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos A. Gimenez. "Congratulations to Director González and the Aviation Department on receiving this prestigious award, and for the forward-leaning work they have done and continue to do."

The Airport Innovation Award was established by the Airport Innovation Accelerator to honor innovative developments that are a model for airports around the country. MIA secured the award for a portfolio of creative and cutting-edge innovations to enhance the passenger experience, including: MIA Airport Official, mobile app; MIAair, a special-needs dress-rehearsal program; the Sustainability Project at MIA, a $40 million energy savings initiative; MIA Connections, an award-winning, interactive digital magazine; Wall of Honor memorial; Miami Begins with Me, an innovative customer service training program; and MIAmamas nursing suites.

"We are extremely honored to receive this inaugural award from AAAE, which recognizes leadership in airport innovation – one of our most critical core values," said Miami-Dade Aviation Director Emilio T. González. "Since being appointed Aviation Director in 2013, it has been one of my highest priorities to improve the passenger experience at MIA through advances in technology and outside-the-box ideas, along with developing a culture of innovation among our staff. This recognition from one of the aviation industry's leading organizations, based on feedback from airport users, is proof-positive that we are moving in the right direction and making a difference with our customers."

As another sign of MIA's commitment to innovation, the airport has also joined the Accelerator Airport Partner Program, which is an opportunity for leading airports to influence and drive innovation for the airport community through the Accelerator. MIA joins a growing list of airports committed to innovation that, through their Accelerator memberships, are well-positioned to drive cutting-edge innovation at their facilities and serve as a model for the entire aviation community.

"The airport community is embracing and driving innovation like never before, and Miami International Airport under the leadership of Director Emilio González is a clear leader in the field," AAAE President and CEO Todd Hauptli said. "The work that Emilio and his team have done to enhance the passenger experience at MIA is remarkable, and AAAE and the Airport Innovation Accelerator are pleased to recognize and celebrate their innovative approaches as a model for airports in the U.S. and around the globe."

(Image provided with Miami Airport news release)

FMI: www.miami-airport.com