March 4, 2016
Business aircraft operators and passengers arriving in South Florida from overseas will benefit from more convenient and efficient processing at the recently renovated Customs and Border Protection (CBP) facility at Sheltair Aviation’s Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL) location.
The nearly $2 million refurbishment includes a new ramp access location, expanded processing areas, updated technology and a more efficient layout.
“This project was a cooperative effort between customs, the Broward County Aviation Department and Sheltair,” said Karen Kroeppel, Sheltair’s director of sales and marketing. “The facility was modernized to meet the needs of the current CBP GA FIS [federal inspection station] facilities and with the general aviation traveler in mind. The new ramp area and redesigned layout will accommodate the growing needs of passengers.”
Early in the planning phase it was decided that the existing space – opened in the late 1980s – needed to be renovated rather than relocated. The modified layout and improved technology will accommodate greater numbers of passenger, crew and aircraft, as well as create operating efficiencies for the CBP staff.
“To fulfill its potential as an economic gateway for our region, Broward County’s Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport will continue to work with its partners to ensure it can meet current and future needs of the aviation community,” said Broward County Aviation Director Kent George.
All international general aviation flights arriving to FLL are processed at the Sheltair CBP facility. Last year, 53,754 general aviation passengers and crew, and more than 13,000 aircraft, cleared customs at FLL.
“NBAA congratulates Sheltair, CBP and the Broward County Aviation Department on the successful renovation of this facility, which will increase passenger and aircraft processing capacity at FLL,” said Sarah Wolf, NBAA’s senior manager of security and facilitation. “NBAA’s Security Council partners with customs officials and airport authorities to increase the efficiency in processing international business aircraft flights, while ensuring high levels of security. Those association priorities are reflected in the changes at this facility.”
International Business Aviation Council Ltd.