Posted on Tuesday, April 26, 2016

TOLEDO, Ohio, April 25, 2016 – The Toledo-Lucas County Port Authority and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) held a ribbon cutting ceremony today to mark the completion of a new 5,000 square foot General Aviation Facility at Toledo Express Airport. The General Aviation Facility will be used to clear certain international flight crews, passengers and cargo.

“We are pleased to offer a new state-of-the-art U.S. Customs and Border Protection General Aviation Facility at Toledo Express Airport,” said Paul Toth, President and CEO of the Toledo-Lucas County Port Authority. “The redevelopment of this new facility, along with new equipment upgrades, will enhance the screening process for future international cargo and business travel through TOL.”

“The new facility will enhance national security and support economic growth by facilitating international travel into the Toledo area” said William Ferrara, Director of Field Operations for CBP in Chicago.

The new facility cost $825,000 to construct, and includes two waiting rooms, two vestibules, an office, conference room, storage room, interview room, search room, wet hold room, and a processing room with biometric screening. The size and the layout of the new facility will allow CBP to accommodate flights with up to 20-passengers and is also large enough to accommodate the arrival of multiple aircraft at one time.

The state of the art technology in the new facility will provide additional benefits to international travelers. For example, CBP will now be able to process all arriving international travelers, including those that have to submit biometric information, like fingerprints, upon arrival. Previously, such travelers would, by law, have to land at an alternate location before traveling to Toledo. The new facility also has a Global Entry Kiosk, which is a unique addition for an airport the size of Toledo Express Airport. The Global Entry program allows expedited clearance for pre-approved, low-risk travelers upon arrival in the U.S. Travelers that are members of the program will have the opportunity to use the kiosk in lieu of waiting in line to speak with a CBP Officer.

About U.S. Customs and Border Protection

CBP is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control and protection of our nation’s borders at and between official ports of entry. CBP’s top priority is to keep terrorists and their weapons from entering the U.S., while welcoming all legitimate travelers and commerce and enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.

For more information on CBP, please contact Kristoffer Grogan at kris.grogan@dhs.gov or at 586-239-2928. 

It is the mission of the Toledo-Lucas County Port Authority to continuously focus on job creation by leveraging our strategic geographic position, resources and economic development proficiency to provide increased business opportunities—built upon and around our innovative transportation and logistics expertise—while promoting our community and region within the global marketplace. We will accomplish this through unmatched speed and efficiency of service, collaborative and strategic partnerships, community stewardship and the continued generation and execution of new ideas and innovations.  www.toledoportauthority.org – 419.243.8251