New U.S. Customs Facility at Van Nuys Airport is on Fast Track to Operational Success
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Van Nuys Airport (VNY) and Signature Flight Support hosted an open house to celebrate the grand opening of the new 1,528 square-foot U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) facility. Since its opening on May 21, 2015, more than 75 international flights have been successfully cleared, providing direct benefits for business travelers, the local economy, and reducing airspace congestion in Southern California.
As one of the world’s busiest general aviation airports, VNY had been without CBP officers since 2006 when on-call customs clearance services were suspended at all airports within the Los Angeles basin except at Los Angeles International Airport. Over the past six years, VNY management has worked in close collaboration with airport tenants and key stakeholder groups to reestablish CBP services at the general aviation airfield.
The return of clearance services for arriving international flights comes at no cost to the federal government thanks to collaboration among aircraft operators, airport management and government officials.
“Van Nuys Airport is one of the most important civil aviation hubs in the country,” said U.S. Congressman Tony Cárdenas. “After years of advocating the return of Customs services, I am proud to say that it is now the only general aviation airport in Los Angeles with an on-site Customs and Border Protection facility. I am very pleased about the jobs that the new Customs station will create, both at Van Nuys Airport and for airport customers throughout the San Fernando Valley.”
The new CBP facility adds significant convenience for arriving international travelers, who can fly directly to VNY without first stopping at another airport to clear Customs. Besides saving private jet travelers time and money, the service benefits the environment by reducing emissions from repositioning flights and decreasing overall aircraft operations within Southern California’s congested airspace.
U.S. Congressman Brad Sherman said, “This significant regional enhancement represents a high level of collaboration and effort by numerous partners of CBP, including aircraft operators, airport management, and community leaders. Having worked to persuade CBP to return Customs services to Van Nuys Airport for several years, I am grateful to see this public-private partnership bringing valuable service, and environmental and economic benefits to the San Fernando Valley.”
"This new asset at Van Nuys Airport will allow the airport to provide more efficient aircraft operations benefiting business, the environment and the public alike," said Los Angeles City Councilwoman Nury Martinez. "Van Nuys Airport is a major economic engine that benefits working families in our community."
The dedicated CBP facility features an interview room, inspection room, office space and a high level of security, similar to that found at our nation’s large commercial airports. Facility user fees charged to arriving aircraft have been modeled to fully offset facility improvement and operating costs. Hours of operation are Thursday through Monday, 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. Requests for services outside these normal operating hours are available but must be arranged with CBP.
As a designated User Fee Clearance facility, VNY is assigned a full-time Customs agent to process arriving international aircraft, passengers and cargo. Signature Flight Support, which advanced approximately $248,000 to construct a dedicated clearance facility, is responsible for collecting user fees and making payments to LAWA that are then submitted to CBP for staffing and operational costs.
“Signature is proud to host the new U.S. CBP office in Van Nuys Airport on our leasehold,” said Maria Sastre, President and Chief Operating officer for Signature Flight Support. “We have experienced more demand than we expected for this convenient and efficient program which provides international arrivals a clearance process that clearly benefits the users of business aviation here at Van Nuys Airport.”
VNY’s proximity to downtown Los Angeles, Hollywood and LAX, combined with the addition of CBP services, makes it the ideal destination for business travelers. The airport’s three Fixed Based Operators offer a full range of services and amenities including modern passenger lounges, fueling services, maintenance support, and aircraft hangar and tie-down areas.
“As a world-class general aviation airport that continues to play a critical role in Southern California air transportation, having U.S. Customs and Border Protection services available onsite makes the airport much more convenient for international travelers,” said Deborah Ale Flint, executive director for Los Angeles World Airports. “Working with our partners, Signature Flight Support and other major airport tenants, Los Angeles’ business airport continues to make enhancements to provide world-class facilities and service.”