GA advocacy groups balk at significant fee increases at border airports

Many airports that support international operations with Customs and Border Protection (CBP) inspection facilities funded by user fees have been notified of a significant fee increase — from 29% up to 54% — effective immediately.

In some cases, the airports were asked to either accept the new fee or suspend future CBP service. CBP’s User Fee program funds inspection services at approximately 60 airports, most supporting a significant number of general aviation operations, according to GA advocates. 

“We have great concern regarding CBP’s approach to this increase and we are requesting that the agency consider alternative pathways to address these issues,” said Doug Carr, vice president of international and regulatory affairs for the National Business Aviation Association. “Affected airports are already facing significant decreases in international traffic due to the COVID-19 pandemic, severely impacting airport revenue.”

In a letter to Mark A. Morgan, CBP acting commissioner, GA advocates urged him to postpone the May 17, 2020, deadline for airports to respond to the fee increases. This would give the CBP time to get some feedback from airports and their users.

In the letter, the GA groups asked Morgan to “respect local process for airport oversight and fiscal management.”

“While we appreciate the financial limitations CBP is facing and the financial management requirements imposed by Congress, airports should be given sufficient time to understand and plan for the cost increase. It is equally important that the users of these services have an opportunity to understand, consider and plan for any substantial increase,” read the May 15 letter from NBAA, the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Associations (AOPA), American Association of Airport Executives (AAAE) and National Air Transportation Association (NATA).

The associations also raised their concerns with leaders of the House and Senate Appropriations Committees’ Subcommittees on Homeland Security, urging Congress to include a provision in the fiscal year 2021 Department of Homeland Security appropriations act or the next COVID-19 supplemental funding bill that would permit CBP to supplement the user fee airport fund with appropriations for customs expenses as needed to maintain operations and prevent adverse impacts on airports.

According to Carr, engaging airports and those who use them, including general aviation pilots, “can help CBP meet budgetary concerns through alternative methods.”

“These airports provide vital services to their communities and regions and the availability of user fee-funded Customs services are often critical to a region’s economic success,” he concluded.