FORT LAUDERDALE, Florida — Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport (FXE), one of the nation’s busiest general aviation airports, is expanding its services with two new enhancements, a Global Entry kiosk and authorization to accept and depart flights to and from Cuba.
FXE is the first general aviation airport in the country selected by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Agency (CBP) to receive a Global Entry kiosk, which is a CBP program that allows pre-approved, low-risk travelers to expedite entrance into the United States upon arrival.
With the kiosk, preapproved travelers no longer need to complete a customs declaration before landing and may skip process lines at checkpoints. Instead, they can simply check-in at the kiosk by scanning their passport or resident card and their fingertips for verification and completing the Customs declaration online.
The kiosk will issue the traveler a transaction receipt and, if cleared, he or she can simply exit the facility.
The airport is also one of approximately 100 general aviation airports authorized by the Department of Homeland Security as a point of entry and departure to and from Cuba, according to airport officials.
For the first time since the early 1960s, preapproved business travelers will have the opportunity to fly from FXE to Cuba and back without having to stop at larger, busier airports to clear customs.
Although restrictions have been relaxed for general aviation flights, current restrictions pertaining to cargo and agriculture products remain unchanged, airport officials noted.
General tourist travel to Cuba by U.S. citizens also remains off-limits unless traveling under one of 12 legally permitted travel categories set forth by the U.S. Department of Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control.
FXE handles close to 160,000 aircraft operations a year. The airport is home to more than 900 aircraft along with four full-service, FBOs that provide fueling, maintenance, management and professional services. It also features a 24-hour FAA Air Traffic Control Tower, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, 24-hour aircraft rescue and firefighting station, a Fort Lauderdale police substation and 24-hour security.