A new FAA bill should eventually lead to less waiting around in airports, says U.S. Travel

The U.S. Travel Association has applauded a final ruling on the Global Entry Program, which will see the initiative made permanent and available to 97 per cent of international travelers to the United States.??

Part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security¡¯s Customs and Border Protection, the Global Entry Program allows for an expedited clearance for pre-approved, low-risk travelers upon arrival in the United States.

Under the final rule, the program has been expanded to airports in Minneapolis, Charlotte, Denver and Phoenix.

U.S. Travel Association president and chief executive Roger Dow called the ruling a ¡°huge victory¡± for the current 1.3 million travelers who ¡°thanks to the program, experience less hassle when traveling to the United States¡±.

"The impact of a program like Global Entry on U.S. destinations, and particularly in the meetings industry, is significant," Mr Dow said.

"Those who regularly travel enjoy fewer burdens thanks to Global Entry, making it more likely they will attend meetings and conventions in the U.S.

¡°Adding to current program participants Canada, Mexico, The Netherlands, and the United Kingdom, U.S. Travel urges CBP to quickly expedite bilateral agreements with South Korea, Singapore and Germany."

Meanwhile, U.S. Travel has also commended the passage of a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Bill in the House of Representatives, which it says will significantly improve the nation¡¯s aviation infrastructure and modernize its air traffic control system.

"If we can move travelers from city to city faster and prevent them from waiting in airport lobbies or on tarmacs, it will boost our economy and they will be encouraged to take more trips as a result," Mr Dow said.

¡°This bill will help America to compete by modernizing and building the most robust air travel system in the world, and we urge the Senate to pass the conference report immediately."