Flightstar Corporation, the FBO at Champaign-Urbana’s Willard airport in Illinois, has completed a general aviation US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) facility at the airport. The facility officially opened for service on 11 October 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 Willard. CBP will staff the facility with an officer from 0900 to 1700 Monday to Friday. Outside of those hours, services will be provided based upon CBP officer availability.

“We are very excited by 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 travelling from international locations will be able to land directly at Willard to complete international arrival boarder formalities. The airport has a strong partnership with Flightstar, which has fully funded the construction of the facility and will pay for ongoing operational costs associated with the CBP operations at Willard.”