Million Air White Plains is marking a major milestone by offering a new customs clearance service at its terminal facility in the Westchester County airport (HPN) in New York state.

Previously, all flights were required to first stop and clear at the US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) office in an alternate FBO. Now, with the start of a pilot programme, aircraft can have U.S. Customs and Border Protection Agents conveniently clear customers on the Million Air ramp and be processed on board with mobile technology.

To mark this significant milestone, Million Air's CEO, Roger Woolsey, and Chuck Suma, COO, arrived in White Plains as the very first international travellers clearing US Customs at Million Air White Plains.

“This new advancement in service will create a much more seamless and efficient experience for our international travellers. Upon landing and arriving in their aircraft, US Customs Border Protection Agents will meet them at the aircraft's ramp. The travellers will have already been pre-cleared, pre-safety checked and pre-vetted, so it is a much quicker and easier process to just go through the aircraft and obtain clearance,” says Woolsey.

To ensure smooth processing, arriving aircraft must request an arrival slot between 07:30 and 23:15 and it is required that all paperwork be filed with Customs ahead of arrival.

Million Air HPN is part of the Reimbursable Services Program (RSP) which enables a partnership between CBP and private sector or government entities, allowing CBP to provide additional inspection services upon the request of stakeholders. Being a part of this programme will allow Million Air's team to request after hours US clearance from CBP on the Million Air HPN ramp.

Additionally, Million Air is taking proactive measures to ensure a seamless experience by making necessary arrangements to cater to any potential customs requirements, should additional screening become necessary. As part of these preparations, it is currently in the process of modifying one of its ground-floor conference rooms to serve as a dedicated space for customs purposes.