Commissioner Natalie Milian Orbis Applauds Miami International Airport for Launching “Families on the Fly” Pilot

Miami-Dade County Commissioner Natalie Milian Orbis is applauding Miami International Airport (MIA) for launching a new “Families on the Fly” pilot program, an initiative that stems directly from her prime-sponsored resolution urging federal action to improve the airport experience for traveling families.

The pilot marks the implementation phase of Commissioner Milian Orbis’s legislation, which called on the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the Transportation Security Administration to bring the concept to Miami. With this step, Miami-Dade moves from policy direction to operational testing in partnership with airport and federal leadership.

“As a mother of two young children, I know how overwhelming airport security can feel for families,” said Commissioner Milian Orbis. “When you are managing strollers, diaper bags, and little ones who are tired or anxious, the experience can quickly become stressful. Families on the Fly is about recognizing that reality and creating a smoother, more compassionate process for parents and children.”

She continued, “After sponsoring the legislation to bring this initiative to Miami, I am proud to see us moving from policy to action. This pilot allows us to test the concept responsibly. We will measure throughput, staffing impacts, wait times, and overall checkpoint performance. Families deserve support, and taxpayers deserve a program that works efficiently and safely.”

MIA serves more than 55 million passengers annually and generates approximately $41 billion in annual economic impact while supporting roughly 300,000 local jobs. As passenger volumes continue to grow, initiatives that balance strong security standards with practical improvements to the passenger experience are critical to maintaining the airport’s global competitiveness.

The pilot program represents the next phase of Commissioner Milian Orbis’s effort to position MIA among leading airports advancing family-focused solutions while protecting efficiency and security. At the conclusion of the evaluation period, findings will be reviewed to determine potential next steps.

— Commissioner Natalie Milian Orbis
Miami-Dade County, District 6