Responding to notification of significant fee increases for\nCustoms and Border Protection (CBP) services at several U.S. airports, the\nNational Business Aviation Association (NBAA) and other aviation associations\nare urging the acting CBP commissioner to consider alternatives in addressing\npossible budget shortfalls. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Last week, many airports that support international\noperations with CBP inspection facilities funded by the user fee program\nreceived notice of a significant fee increase \u2013 from 29% up to 54% \u2013 with\nnearly immediate effect. In some cases, the airports were asked to either\naccept the new fee or suspend future CBP service. CBP\u2019s User Fee program funds\ninspection services at approximately 60 airports, most supporting a significant\nnumber of general aviation operations. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe have great concern regarding CBP\u2019s approach to this\nincrease and we are requesting that the agency consider alternative pathways to\naddress these issues,\u201d said Doug Carr, NBAA\u2019s vice president of international\nand regulatory affairs. \u201cAffected airports are already facing significant\ndecreases in international traffic due to the COVID-19 pandemic, severely\nimpacting airport revenue.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The associations urged Morgan to postpone the May 17\ndeadline for airport responses to allow time for CBP to solicit and consider\nfeedback from airports and users and for consideration of budgetary adjustments.\nA letter sent by NBAA and other groups also asked Acting CBP Commissioner Mark\nMorgan to \u201crespect local process for airport oversight and fiscal management.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhile we appreciate the financial limitations CBP is facing and the financial management requirements imposed by Congress, airports should be given sufficient time to understand and plan for the cost increase. It is equally important that the users of these services have an opportunity to understand, consider and plan for any substantial increase,\u201d read the May 15 letter from NBAA, the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Associations (AOPA), American Association of Airport Executives (AAAE) and National Air Transportation Association (NATA). Read the full letter to CBP.<\/a>\u00c2\u00a0 <\/p>\n\n\n\n The associations also raised their concerns with leaders of\nthe House and Senate Appropriations Committees\u2019 Subcommittees on Homeland\nSecurity, urging Congress to include a provision in the fiscal year 2021\nDepartment of Homeland Security appropriations act or the next COVID-19 supplemental\nfunding bill that would permit CBP to supplement the user fee airport fund with\nappropriations for customs expenses as necessary to maintain operations and\nprevent adverse impacts on airports.<\/p>\n\n\n\n