Feb. 10, 2014
Scottsdale Airport (SDL) recently announced expanded hours for U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) services. The expanded hours for customs and immigration processing will begin Sunday, Feb. 9, when services will be available from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., seven days a week.
“We applaud Scottsdale Airport and local customs officials for extending customs service hours at Scottsdale Airport,” said Sarah Wolf, NBAA’s senior manager of security and facilitation. “The increased availability of customs processing will provide greater flexibility for users of business aviation in the Phoenix/Scottsdale area.”
The expanded hours are the result of increased demand from business and leisure travelers. Although not playing a lead role in the advocacy for expanded service hours at SDL, the NBAA Security Council and other Member Companies actively work to improve CBP services for aviation at airports across the United States.
“The expansion of customs service hours at Scottsdale Airport is just one example of how local advocacy can lead to local success stories,” said Wolf. “NBAA’s Security Council encourages local advocacy and is eager to partner with local customs officials and airport authorities in other regions to increase the availability and efficiency of customs-related functions. We believe we can find ways to responsibly use CBP’s resources while encouraging economy-stimulating international general aviation traffic.”
Scottsdale Airport representatives expect the extended hours to generate more international airport activity. During fiscal year 2012-2013, the CBP processed 490 aircraft in Scottsdale, and that number is expected to increase this fiscal year due to the additional service hours.
Because of local advocacy during the past few years, NBAA and its Member Companies have seen other successes in improving CBP services for general aviation. For example, business aircraft users in the Indianapolis area celebrated the opening a new general aviation customs facility at the International Arrivals Building at Indianapolis International Airport late last year.
Review information about Scottsdale Airport’s customs services.
International Business Aviation Council Ltd.