U.S. CUSTOMS AND BORDER PROTECTION ANNOUNCES GLOBAL ENTRY PROGRAM AT LOS ANGELES INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

         (Los Angeles, California – October 30, 2008)  U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) announced today that Global Entry enrollment centers are now open at Los AngelesInternationalAirport (LAX).  The center at LAX is located on adjacent to the CBP public information counter on the Upper/Departures Level of the Tom Bradley International Terminal.

            The announcement was made at a news conference conducted by the CBP in the federal inspection area of the Bradley Terminal where nearly 35 international airlines operate.

            Global Entry is a new program that allows approved U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents returning to the U.S. to use the Global Entry kiosk as an alternative to the regular passport control line.  At the kiosk, Global Entry members can activate the system by inserting their U.S. passport or lawful permanent resident card into a document reader.  The kiosk will direct travelers to provide digital fingerprints and will compare that biometric data with fingerprints on file.

            Global Entry travelers will be prompted to answer declaration-related questions on the kiosk’s touch-screen.  A transaction receipt will be issued upon completion that must be presented to CBP officers prior to leaving the federal inspection area.

            Global Entry is currently open only to U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents. 

            “U.S. Customs and Border Protection is pleased to be able to provide this program that

allows low-risk international air travelers in expediting their return to their homeland,” said Sergio Espinoza, CBPLos AngelesAssistantPort Director.

            “International business and tourism travel is one of the most important engines of Southern California’s economy,” said Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA) Executive Director Gina Marie Lindsey.  She added, “The first impressions of over 17 million annual international travelers (28 percent of our total passenger volume) to Southern California is what they see and experience at LAX.  U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s launch of the Global Entry Program is a demonstration of their commitment as a partner in our efforts to improve the overall passenger experience at LAX.”

            The Global Entry pilot program began June 6 at New York/John F. Kennedy, George Bush Intercontinental in Houston and Washington-Dulles International airports.  To date, approximately 4,000 members have already enrolled and more than 1,700 Global Entry members have used kiosks at the three existing pilot locations.  This week, CBP announced the expansion of the pilot program to include LAX, Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson International, Chicago O’Hare International and Miami International airports.  Global Entry applicants are now able to complete their interview and biometric data collection at these major U.S. airports.