Advocate Industry Issues

  • Address recovery for arriving international passengers
  • Increase CBP staffing at airports
  • Address CBP ports of entry, hours of service, overtime
  • Mitigate impact from Biometric Exit Programs
  • Encourage the improvement of the Biometric Entry Program
  • Increase transparency around landing rights approval processes
  • Unveil CBP staffing allocation models at individual airports and national levels
  • Identify CBP budget, revenues sources, appropriations, user fees
  • Recommend continuous revision to Airport Technical Design Standards
  • Monitor CBP Preclearance Expansion Program
  • Monitor CBP Hardening of Primary and Modified Egress Programs
  • Mitigate Baggage System Impacts and Support Advancements
  • Address Technological systems & system reliability issues
  • Support Future Borders Coalition
  • Streamline CBP procedures/forms
  • Streamline Customs Seal application process
  • Address CBP user fee airports and general aviation facilities issues
  • Support CBP trusted traveler programs, mainly Global Entry and NEXUS

Support New Air Service to the United States

Airports recognize the important role CBP plays in international commerce by encouraging the agency to be more accommodating to landing rights requests at U.S. airports and Canadian preclearance. Too often, landing rights are summarily denied without an explanation and without an appreciation for the adverse economic impact on communities and businesses throughout the country. CBP should endeavor to respond to each landing-rights request within 30 days of receipt and provide written justification for any denial of service.

Increase CBP Officer Staffing at Airports

Ensure Congress authorizes and appropriate CBP staffing levels to meet CBP’s workforce staffing model needs so that the agency can continue to focus on reducing lengthy wait times at our airports. Airports suffered chronic CBP understaffing pre-COVID-19, and CBP’s current workforce staffing model shows the agency in need of over 1,700 new officers across the system. Significant understaffing like this threatens existing and new air service, even as air passengers pay for the CBP service through a number of Immigration and Customs User Fees.

Implement Biometric Entry-Exit Responsibly

Ensure CBP provides dedicated resources for biometric entry-exit implementation that accounts for the upfront infrastructure, equipment, and staffing investments, as well as the ongoing maintenance and staffing support CBP needs to administer the program. While CBP is conducting biometric exit pilots at select U.S. airports, the industry expects a final rulemaking on the “Collection of Biometric Data From Aliens Upon Entry to and Departure From the United States.” In addition, there are process and funding challenges that must be overcome before a full-scale biometric exit program can be implemented nationwide.

Airport Terminal Design Standard (ATDS)

The Facilitation Committee has created a standing group to maintain a list of priorities and will continue to push CBP to adopt an ongoing review of the ATDS document, including industry stakeholders, to keep up with the latest developments in design and technology. The Facilitation Committee will also continue to pursue eliminating the ban on commercial advertising in the ATDS.

ACI-NA/A4A/CBP Quarterly Meetings

These meetings provide an informal forum for airports, airlines, and CBP to discuss issues facing the industry and provide updates on key programs as well as CBP’s budget and priorities. In 2022, the group will meet to discuss a variety of issues and challenges associated with the pandemic. The group will also discuss improving programs such as biometric entry/exit, Global Entry pilots and review initiatives to improve throughput.

Member Coordination

The Facilitation Committee will continue to host monthly calls providing an opportunity for airports to share information on Facilitation issues. ACI-NA staff will provide legislative and regulatory updates. In addition, staff will share information on facilitation to the Committee via email notices, coordinate with the Canadian Airports Council’s Facilitation Committee, and work with the Committee in developing ACI-NA advocacy efforts and comments on facilitation issues, including CBP issues.

Collaboration with ACI-NA Committees

The Facilitation Committee will continue to coordinate and collaborate with other ACI-NA Committees on facilitation topics.

  • U.S. Policy Council
    • Work with Government Affairs to advocate for more CBP staffing at ports of entry
    • Use the Government Affairs resources to advocate minimizing the impact to airports from Biometric Exit programs
    • Coordinate on GAO and DHS Inspector General studies on facilitation issues as appropriate
    • Coordinate regarding CBP, DHS Science & Technology Directorate, and other agencies’ compliance with Congressional directives
  • U.S. International Air Service Program and Air Service Committee
    • Work together on issues of mutual concern, e.g., visas, CBP staffing, preclearance facilities that affect U.S. international air service
  • Public Safety and Security and Business Information Technology Committees
    • Work together on issues of mutual concern, e.g., Biometrics, badging, recovery, or checked baggage
  • Legal Affairs Committee
    • Work together on issues of mutual concern, e.g., federal agencies’ demands for free space and powers of federal agencies at airports

Effective Communication with Board Liaison

The Committee leadership and ACI-NA staff will work in close cooperation with the ACI-NA Board Liaison to ensure that the ACI-NA Board understands and appreciates the work of the Facilitation Committee.