Washington, D.C. - Congresswoman Stefanik secured critical provisions of her bipartisan bill, the Border Airport Enhancement Act, in the House’s passage of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Reauthorization. Stefanik’s provisions provide support for the Plattsburgh International Airport by designating it as a Port of Entry.
“For years, I have worked to ensure that Plattsburgh International Airport is equipped with the resources it needs to continue meeting the transportation needs of families in Upstate New York and the North Country, and to continue providing access for tourists visiting our region. With the passage of the FAA Reauthorization today, I am proud to have secured the inclusion of my bipartisan bill designating Plattsburgh Airport as a Port of Entry and delivering this result for my constituents,” stated Congresswoman Stefanik.
"We went to Washington with Mark Henry, Clinton County Legislature Chair, in May to make the case for full Customs Port of Entry status at Plattsburgh International Airport," stated Garry Douglas, President of the North Country Chamber of Commerce. "Congresswoman Stefanik pledged her active support and she has delivered approval by the House just two months later. We thank her for understanding the importance of this move to the future of the airport, saving resources that can support other needs at the airport, guaranteeing full customs services into the future which will ultimately bring more activity and growth, and treating Plattsburgh equally with so many other airports with this status. We will continue to work with Senators Schumer and Gillibrand toward similar Senate action and are hopeful success will be achieved by later this year. Onward and upward!"
“Once again, Congresswoman Stefanik has demonstrated her commitment to getting the Plattsburgh International Airport designated as a Port of Entry,” stated Robert Hall, Plattsburgh International Airport Committee Chairperson. "This designation just makes sense and has been a long time coming. We applaud the passage of this bill and we thank our Senators for their efforts as well; we are hopeful that they are equally as successful as Congresswoman Stefanik.”
The Plattsburgh International Airport is one of only two primary commercial service airports in close proximity to the Northern or Southern Border designated as user-fee airports, which requires the airports to pay out of pocket for U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) services, such as security screenings, cargo security and examinations, and immigration inspections. This designation change will save the Plattsburgh International Airport roughly $600,000 per year.
In April, Stefanik introduced the Border Airport Enhancement Act to designate Plattsburgh International Airport as a Port of Entry and terminate its status as a user-fee airport.
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