A new U.S. Customs and Border Protection Facility has opened at the University of Illinois-Willard Airport (KCMI) in Illinois.
The new facility is capable of clearing private aircraft, crew, and passengers arriving directly from international departure points.
Before the opening of this facility, all private aircraft arriving from international departure points were required to first stop at other ports of entry before continuing to KCMI, according to officials with Flightstar Corporation, the FBO on the field.
CBP will staff the facility with a CBP Officer from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Outside of those hours, services will be provided based upon CBP officer availability, according to airport officials.
“We are very excited for the completion and opening of the CBP general aviation facility,” says Willard Airport Executive Director Tim Bannon. “The addition of CBP services will be an asset to both the airport and our community. This is the first time private aircraft traveling from international locations will be able to land directly at Willard Airport to complete international arrival border formalities.
“The airport has a strong partnership with Flightstar, who has fully funded the construction of the facility and will pay for ongoing operational costs associated with the CBP operations at Willard,” he added.