Letter to Thomas Winkowski, Acting Commissioner of Customs and Border Protection - Landing of International Flights

Letter

U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer today announced that he is asking the Department of U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to help Long Island MacArthur Airport develop, execute and approve a plan that would allow flights from certain international destinations -- including the Bahamas and Aruba -- to land. Several airline companies have sent letters of intent, but the airport needs certain facilities and additional personnel before international flights can land.

The airport is developing a plan to retrofit current facilities, and that plan needs to be approved by the Department of Homeland Security's CBP. Schumer asked that the agency work hand-in-hand with MacArthur to achieve this goal. International flights would not only increase flight traffic and improve the economic impact of the airport, it would provide Long Islanders with direct access to some of the most popular vacation destinations in the world.

"A customs facility at Macarthur could be a magnet for new carriers, helping the airport regain some of its lost flights and giving Long Islanders direct access to some of the most popular tourist destinations," said Schumer. "The feds can make this happen, and I'm asking them to work hand-in-glove with the local airport authorities to produce a plan and get it through the approval process."

"Long Island MacArthur Airport has consistently had a staunch advocate in Senator Schumer. He lives this airport as Islip does. He has never hesitated to work with Islip to continue to build on the growing successes at our airport from new airlines, more direct flights and improvements to the terminal. The addition of this customs and agriculture inspection capability brings our residents exactly what they have been asking for....more direct flights from the hassle free airport down the road...long island MacArthur," said Town Supervisor Tom Croci.

The Long Island MacArthur Airport currently provides air travel with Southwest Airlines, U.S. Airways and Pen Air. The airport provides non-stop flights to Baltimore, Fort Lauderdale, Orlando, Tampa, West Palm Beach, Philadelphia and Washington D.C. The airport only offers connecting flights to international locations like Punta Cana, Montego Bay and the Bahamas.

Officials at MacArthur Airport are interested in accommodating international flights. International Airlines like Interjet and FlyA have already expressed interest in utilizing MacArthur Airport if it had the capability.

Long Island MacArthur Airport has suffered big losses including a 46.4% loss of commercial departures from 2007-2012. Airport administrators have been working towards improving flights and services. In January of 2012, the airport resumed U.S. Airway shuttle service from Long Island to Washington, D.C. Schumer fought hard for this service. Additionally, efforts are being made to lengthen the taxiways. Schumer explained that an international airport at MacArthur would bolster economic activity in the region.

In order for MacArthur Airport to move forward with plans to become an international airport, it will need approval from the U.S. Department of Customs, Border and Protection. Once MacArthur applies for approval, they will need to build or retrofit a facility to accommodate CBP with an "AG room," which provides a facility for the USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) regulations to be enforced. CBP implements APHIS regulations related to clearance of products for health purposes, like stopping the introduction of exotic or foreign plants and animal pests and diseases at U.S. ports of entry. Additional facilities would also need to be built in order to have preclearance planes land.

Schumer today called on CBP to work with Long Island MacArthur Airport in developing a man to allow for international flights at the airport. Schumer highlighted the economic importance of international flights for Long Island. Schumer also made the case that it would provide Long Islanders with direct access to some of the most popular vacation destinations in the world.

The full text of the letter is below:

Dear Acting Commissioner Winkowski,

I write today to ask your agency to work with Long Island MacArthur Airport to develop, execute and approve a plan that would allow flights from certain international destinations with preclearance facilities to land. It is my understanding that there are some additional facilities that may be necessary to allow international aircraft to land at MacArthur Airport.

Long Island MacArthur has suffered big losses in the past several years with a loss of 46.4% of commercial departures since 2007. The loss of flights is particularly devastating as the airport is a major employer and serves as an economic engine for the region. It also provides a gateway to thousands of visitors traveling to the world-class vacation destinations on eastern Long Island. Several airlines have already expressed an interest in serving MacArthur Airport if they could land international flights there.

As you know, in order for MacArthur Airport to move forward with plans to become a port of entry for flights from preclearance airports, U.S. Department of Customs, Border and Protection must approve MacArthur's plans to build or retrofit a facility to accommodate CBP. I ask that you work with the airport to develop a plan to allow MacArthur to start serving international flights at the earliest possible date.

I look forward to working with you to begin this process. Please feel free to reach out to my staff if you have any questions.

Sincerely,

Charles E. Schumer

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