Passengers arriving from abroad at Los Angeles International Airport use new automated passport kiosks, Wednesday, Sept 24, 2014. The new kiosks will expedite the entry process for U.S. and Canadian citizens and those from 38 Visa Waiver countries by allowing them to submit their customs declaration form and biographical information electronically, thereby reducing the time they spend with a Customs officer.(Photo: Nick Ut, AP)
WASHINGTON — The Department of Homeland Security said Friday it will install 340 more airport kiosks to automate passport inspections -- a move the White House says will reduce wait times for international arrivals by up to 30%.
The move is part of an effort by the Obama administration to double international tourism to the United States over five years.
The administration is also expanding a program, first used at the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. to allow certain travelers to submit their passport information and customs declaration form through a smartphone app before their customs inspection. That program will be rolled out to 20 more airports by the end of next year.
The push to automate the customs declaration process could mean that Customs and Border Patrol will be able to completely phase out paper customs forms in the next year or two.
USA TODAY
GAO studies kiosks, web sites for collecting airport fees
The Homeland Security and Commerce departments released a report on the new measures Friday. The administration is focusing on the 17 largest international airports, which welcome three quarters of all international visitors.
Travel industry groups praised the announcement. U.S. Travel Association President Roger Dow said the moves show that the Obama administration "grasps the broader value of attracting international travelers to the U.S."
Follow @gregorykorte on Twitter.
Powered By WizardRSS.com |
Full Text RSS Feed
