By Lawrence Matheson
As more people fly to different countries, the USA is using new tech at airports to speed up how passengers travel through the country's airports.
Take the case of one Belgium family who were visiting the USA for the fourth time. They didn't want to wait in a long line at passport control so they tried a new app and the family was happy with how well it worked.
It helped them speed through the airport at Washington Dulles International Airport much quicker than on previous visits. “It was always a long row," said Piet De Staercke of the line to go through passport screening. He, his wife and two sons were visiting Washington and Chicago. “We were a bit scared. But now with the app, it’s amazing.”
As travel continues to boom following pandemic-related slumps, U.S. Customs and Border Protection is expanding the use of technology like the Mobile Passport Control app the De Staercke family used in an effort to process the ever-growing number of passengers traveling internationally.
And with events like a rare solar eclipse, the Olympics in Paris, and summer holidays still driving international travel, those numbers don't look set to drop any time soon The people who work at Customs and Border Protection showed how they using technology to transform the process.
They also talked about what new developments are on the horizon. During the 2023 financial year, over 394 million travellers were processed at entry ports by the agency. This was a 24% rise from the previous year. The top 20 busiest airports in the US saw officers process 31% more passengers, while average wait times went up by 11%.
However, some of the busiest airports saw little to no increase in wait times. For instance, at JFK Airport in New York, wait times actually dropped slightly - by an average of 0.4 seconds - even though 33% more travellers were processed. More and more people are choosing to travel abroad with their families instead of going alone for business.
MORE APPS
To help speed up passenger movement through airports, officials are increasingly turning to app-based technologies. One such example is the Mobile Passport Control app used by a Belgian family. Not only is it available to US. citizens, but also to lawful permanent residents, certain Canadians and travellers from countries who are part of the Visa Waiver Program who've already visited the US at least once.
Passengers can upload their photos and information to the app. When they reach the screening area, they're directed to a separate line. The officer then just needs to take a photo of one family member, which brings up the entire group's photos and information.
CBP introduced the app in 2021 and is now encouraging more people to use it. They're working with airlines to allow passengers to download the app while flying and putting up signs at airports to spread the word. Last year, a record-breaking 4.1 million people entered the country using the app.
"Any second that we can save through the process, it saves time because it adds up eventually," said Marc Calixte, the top CBP official at Dulles. In September, the agency also launched an app specifically for Global Entry users. This is one of the "Trusted Traveler" schemes run by CBP. It lets certain low-risk passengers who have an interview and pass a background check get through customs and passport control faster when they arrive in the U. S.
IMPROVEMENTS TO GLOBAL ENTRY
Last year, a record 3.2 million people applied for the Global Entry programme. This year, the agency expects about 4 million applications, according to Brendan Blackmer, CBP branch chief for the Trusted Traveler Programs.
However, passengers have complained about the long processing times and difficulty getting appointments. On its website, CBP says it takes four to six months to process applications. In February, 17 members of Congress wrote to CBP asking for information, as they were receiving complaints from constituents about the wait times.
Blackmer mentioned that the agency is working hard to make things better, including letting almost everyone renewing their status do it without visiting a centre. This means more spots for new people. They're also trying to let more people finish their applications at the airport when they're flying in or out.
Even though there are more chances to apply now, Blackmer said, some places like San Francisco still have a long wait of over 90 days. "We've done a lot of work the past year and a half, and the agency's in a better position now and able to meet the demand for the program. And we're going to continue to work," Blackmer explained.
Prices are going up on October 1 for some special travel programs. NEXUS, which helps people travel between the US and Canada, will cost $120 instead of $50. Global Entry will be $120 too, up from $100. SENTRI, for those travelling at the Mexico border, will actually get a bit cheaper, dropping to $120 from $122.50.
But now, all children under 18 will be included in the fees, no matter which program you use. One thing that's not changing is that once you're approved, it's good for five years.
WHAT'S COMING NEXT?
Calixte said that by the end of summer, the airport might introduce E-Gates. These will allow passengers using Global Entry to use an app, skip the officer at a booth, and go straight to a gate.
Here, their photo is taken and matched with their passport. If everything checks out, the gates open and they can leave the customs and passport control area. Blackmer also shared that the agency is considering a concept called smart queuing. This would involve the app directing passengers to specific lines based on information they've entered, like whether they have goods to declare.
