Miami International Airport Empowers Special Needs Families with MIAair Tour During Autism Acceptance Month

Thursday, April 18, 2024

In honor of Autism Acceptance Month, Miami International Airport hosted its latest MIA Airport Instruction and Readiness (MIAair) tour today. Fourteen children with special needs, along with their families or guardians, participated in this event. The tour provided a complete walkthrough of the air travel process, culminating in the experience of sitting in an airplane seat, all within a safe and controlled setting.

Additionally, the tour welcomed thirteen individuals from the Miami Project to Cure Paralysis, each coping with spinal cord injuries and living with a permanent disability. Families had the opportunity to practice navigating the airport, obtaining boarding passes, passing through security, and boarding a GlobalX plane. This program also served as a valuable learning opportunity for airline and TSA staff at MIA.

The overarching aim of the MIAair program is to ensure that everyone, regardless of their abilities, can enjoy the magic and excitement of flight. Since its inception in 2015, over 150 families have participated in these tours, fostering greater inclusivity and accessibility in air travel.

Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava, “We strive to make Miami-Dade County services as accessible as possible to all of our residents, which is why I am so proud of MIA’s successful efforts to empower travelers with disabilities through its award-winning MIAair tour program. Thanks to this month’s MIAair tour, more children and their families have increased confidence about not letting their disability prevent them from enjoying the thrill of air travel at MIA.”

MIA made history last year by becoming Florida’s first and the United States’ second airport to earn accreditation from the Airports Council International (ACI) Accessibility Enhancement Accreditation (AEA) program.This acknowledgment highlights MIA’s commitment to giving the highest importance to ensuring an accessible, secure, and welcoming travel environment for individuals with disabilities.

Miami International Airport, the country’s busiest airport for international cargo and the second busiest for international travelers, is undergoing an unprecedented investment of $7 billion in capital improvements and $1.7 billion in maintenance upgrades. With more flights to Latin America and the Caribbean than any other U.S. airport, MIA serves as a vital economic hub for Miami-Dade County and Florida, contributing $31.9 billion in business revenue and attracting approximately 60 percent of all international visitors to the state each year.

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