TSA: Miami airport is tops in nation

WASHINGTON, Nov. 19 (UPI) -- Miami International Airport is the Airport of the Year due to its focus on security and customers, the Transportation Security Administration says.

The federal group said at a Washington ceremony this week that the Florida airport earned the distinction in part for having processed more than 98 percent of its passengers through security in less than 10 minutes on average, The Miami Herald said Wednesday.

The administration said Tuesday the travel site "continuously implements the highest quality of airport security while maintaining exceptional courtesy and attentiveness to all passengers and customers.''

The Miami airport ranks third in the nation among international passengers and the site services nearly 34 million passengers a year, the Herald said.

The newspaper said in an attempt to improve its security efforts, the airport has installed advanced technology X-rays and whole body imaging systems, along with an in-line baggage system.