A new US customs and border protection facility has been opened at the University of Illinois-Willard Airport in Champaign, Illinois.
The general aviation US customs and border protection (CBP) officially opened for service on Sunday, October 11, and is now 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. CBP will staff the facility with a CBP Officer from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm Monday through Friday. Outside of those hours, services will be provided based upon CBP Officer availability.
The facility has been funded by the airport’s resident aviation services provider Flightstar. The FBO employs more than120 people and as well as a full service FBO and over 112,000 square feet of hangar space provides MRO and executive jet charters.
“We are very excited for the completion and opening of the CBP general aviation facility,” says Willard Airport’s 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 boarder 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.”
