Valley International Airport Reopens U.S. Customs and Border Protection Facility
Announcment could open the door to more international traffic.
HARLINGEN, TX. – At 10 a.m. on Friday, November 7th, Valley International Airport (VIA) will hold a ribbon cutting ceremony to announce the news that its U.S. Customs and Border Protection facility is now open and ready to service the cargo operators and general aviation needs in the Rio Grande Valley. The renovated facilities are located on the northeast corner of the international arrivals building and are open Monday through Friday from 8:00am until 4:00pm. Inspection clearance requests during the off hours of operations are available with advance notice and for an additional fee.
“It is definitely an exciting day here at VIA as we re-open our U.S. Customs and Border Protection facilities. Our cargo carriers, general and corporate aviation customers will benefit greatly from this added feature at VIA”, said Bryan Duffy, chairman of the Harlingen Airport Board.
Private aircraft bound for the heart of the Valley can now submit a request to over fly the closest designated airport of entry and land at Valley International Airport. This means that Harlingen is now a gateway for corporate and private aircraft that wish to land at VIA for various purposes, whether it is shopping, going to South Padre Island, making use of our medical facilities or connecting to one of our commercial flights to an ongoing destination. With this reopening, the Valley could become a more significant point of entry for business travelers who are trying to avoid the congestion and delays of larger metropolitan airports upon returning to the country from Mexico or South America.
The new feature is the result of VIA being designated by the Department of Homeland Security as a “User Fee” entry airport. The cargo customers will benefit tremendously as their in-bound international cargo will now be processed faster, resulting in an earlier delivery at its local destination.
Valley International Airport serves over 800,000 passengers a year and is the home to Southwest Airlines, Continental Express, Sun Country Airlines, DHL, Federal Express, UPS, BAX Global and UPS Supply Chain Solutions.
What: Ribbon Cutting
When: 10 a.m., Friday, Nov. 7
Where: FIS Building at Valley International Airport
For more information:
Jose Mulet, 956-430-8604
Kelly Morris, 210-843-9900