Airports Urge Congress to Consult Industry on US-Visit Exit
CONTACT:
Eileen Denne, edenne@aci-na.aero (202) 293-4537
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Airports Urge Congress to Consult Industry on US-Visit Exit
WASHINGTON, DC (June 28) – The Airports Council International-North America (ACI-NA), represented by Ana Sotorrio, Associate Director, Government Affairs, Miami-Dade Aviation Department, urged that the Department of Homeland Security and Customs and Border Protection consult with airports and airlines prior to moving forward with the US-VISIT/Exit Program.
"We think US-VISIT needs to work closely with industry partners to determine the most efficient method and location for collection of a traveler's biometrics as they exit the country," Sotorrio told the House Subcommittee on Border, Maritime and Global Terrorism. "While our primary concern is for the security of airline passengers and others at the airport," she added, "we think that customer service should also be considered in designing an effective US-Visit Exit Program."
Sotorrio told the Subcommittee that there has been limited collaboration with the airport community regarding collection of biometric information from airline passengers. The testimony cited ACI-NA's concern about the governmental function of immigration and border control being abdicated to the private industry. She suggested that the system must take into account existing infrastructure and passenger flows at each airport and be appropriately funded by the government.
Jim May, President and CEO of the Air Transport Association, testifying on behalf of the major airlines, also expressed concern about the U.S. government establishing a program that abdicates its role in the immigration/security process. He strongly urged Congress not to require airlines to collect the biometric information for US-VISIT/Exit.
The US-VISIT Office conducted a pilot program which focused on kiosks to collect biometric information of departing international visitors at 12 airports and two seaports. The program, which ended in May 2007, included kiosks placed in the secure areas of airports after the TSA passenger security checkpoint.
###
About ACI-NA:
The mission of Airports Council International - North America (ACI-NA) is to advocate policies and provide services that strengthen the ability of air carrier airports to serve their passengers, customers and communities. ACI-NA represents local, regional and state governing bodies that own and operate commercial airports in the United States and Canada. ACI-NA member airports enplane more than 95 percent of the domestic and virtually all the international airline passenger and cargo traffic in North America. Nearly 400 aviation-related businesses are also members of the association, which is the largest of the five worldwide regions of Airports Council International.