NEW YORK: US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is turning its attention to business and general aviation with plans to establish a working group that will delve into various industry issues. CBP Commissioner Gil Kerlikowske announced the plans for the working group during a recent meeting with NBAA president and CEO Ed Bolen.
While details weren’t revealed, Doug Carr, vice president of regulatory and international affairs for NBAA, said the group will likely be similar to advisory groups CBP created for air transport and cargo.
To begin meeting later this year, the group will provide a venue to raise the visibility about concerns specific to business and general aviation, Carr said. From a business aviation standpoint, a number of Customs issues have centered on processes that were established for airline operations, but are not as appropriate for business aviation. The group will provide an opportunity to educate and heighten awareness about the unique requirements of business aviation, Carr said.
As important, he added, the effort would enable the industry to work more collaboratively with Customs. Bolen said that during his meeting with Kerlikowske, they “also identified further opportunities for collaboration, with a goal of simplifying business aviation procedures while maintaining an equivalent level of safety and security.”
