Aviation Authority partners with U.S. Customs and Border Protection to expedite international processing

The Greater Orlando Aviation Authority (GOAA) signed an agreement with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) that will facilitate faster processing of arriving international passengers. The Reimbursable Services Agreement with CBP is part of the Consolidated Appropriations Act passed by Congress in 2014. It authorizes Orlando International Airport (MCO) to cover overtime expenses associated with the use of additional CBP officers during peak travel times.

Orlando International is one of only five airports in the nation selected in 2014 to partner with CBP in an effort to shorten processing times. The collaboration with CBP will allow MCO to reduce wait times for passengers in the Federal Inspection Station areas as well as accept new flights for both passenger and cargo.

With our record growth in international passenger traffic, it is important we take advantage of opportunities to improve our customer service,” GOAA Executive Director Phil Brown said. “Attention to making the arrivals process as seamless as possible will keep Orlando International Airport one of the world’s most user-friendly global gateways.”

“Together with our private sector partners, U.S. Customs and Border Protection is transforming the way we do business to efficiently process the growing number of international travelers each year,” said Vernon Foret, Director of Miami/Tampa Field Office. “These partnerships allow us to remain a strong global competitor and destination for businesses and travelers.”

As the nation’s 9th largest port of entry for non-U.S. residents, Orlando International Airport set a new record for international travel in 2014 with 4,324,175 passengers, which was a 9.6 percent increase over 2013 and represents 12.3 percent of MCO’s 2014 total of 35,714,612 passengers.

Funding for the reimbursed services will come from the Aviation Authority’s Discretionary Fund. The economic impact from a single additional daily international flight on a wide-bodied aircraft is estimated at $85 million annually. The total economic impact to Central Florida from current international service is approximately $2 billion annually.