Protocol & International Affairs
Miami International Airport (MIA) is the first airport in the United States and one of the few major airports in the world to offer a full array of services specifically tailored to the needs of traveling foreign diplomats, government officials, dignitaries and other official guests and VIPs. MIA’s Office of Protocol and International Affairs was created in 1988 to meet the demands of the local and international diplomatic communities.
International Flag Display and VIP Parking
Mission
The core mission of the Protocol Office is to facilitate the arrivals and departures of official guests through MIA and create a lasting good impression of our community. The Protocol Office is staffed by a corps of officers, specially trained in the field of protocol and diplomacy. Protocol Officers speak many foreign languages, which include Spanish, German, French, Portuguese, Russian, Polish, Italian and Creole. Protocol details are performed 365 days a year from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Responsibilities
The Protocol Office coordinates all logistics associated with diplomatic arrivals/departures with representatives of the airlines operating at MIA and with U.S. government agencies such as Customs and Border Protection (CBP), the Secret Service, the Department of State, the Transportation and Security Administration (TSA), and the Office of Foreign Mission. Support in these functions is also received from other agencies and entities such as the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.

Services
The following are some of the services and arrangements provided by the Protocol Office:

  • VIP parking privileges and courtesy parking cards at MIA garages
  • Use of First Class and VIP facilities
  • VIP gate passes
  • Escorted access to restricted and/or secure areas as needed
  • Assistance from all MIA airlines' special services units

 

Arrival of Kenyan President at MIA
Additional Courtesies offered at MIA
  • Courtesy First Class and preferred check-in
  • Curbside greeting for departing dignitaries
  • Handling of diplomatic pouches
  • U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and U.S. Transportation Security Administration (TSA) escort
  • U.S. Department of State special escort program
  • Ramp escort and transportation to and from site of arrival/departure
  • Use of meeting facilities
  • Media advisory of special events
MIA's VIP and First Class Passengers Facilities
The Protocol Office also manages all VIP hospitality facilities at MIA, which currently include the VIP hospitality room and the Consular Lounge, reserved for foreign delegations visiting or transiting through MIA.
Consular Lounge Consular Lounge
Consular Lounge Consular Lounge