The Tribune

Lynden Pindling International Airport (NAS) has purchased 20 Automated Passport Control (APC) self-serve kiosks to enhance the customs process for eligible passengers departing its US pre-clearance facility, improving the overall passenger experience.

APC kiosks will be available at NAS starting in February 2015, making it only the second international airport with US pre-clearance facilities to offer this technology.

Provided by Vancouver Airport Authority’s Innovative Travel Solutions team, the BorderXpress APC kiosks and technology have reduced customs wait times at 14 airports across North America, including at New York’s John F. Kennedy International, Los Angeles International, Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International and the world’s busiest airport, Hartsfield-Jackson International in Atlanta.

Instead of filling out a declaration card and taking travel documents to a US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer, eligible passengers will proceed directly to one of the 20 kiosks.

Travellers will simply follow the on-screen instructions to scan their passport, answer declaration questions, have their photo taken and receive a confirmation receipt, which they will show to a CBP officer to finalise processing.

Vancouver Airport Authority studies have shown that BorderXpress APC kiosks reduce wait times by up to 89 per cent when compared to the typical CBP primary inspection process.

Eligible passengers include all USand Canadian passport holders, US Lawful Permanent Residents (LPR) and international travellers with Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (ESTA) from 38 countries not requiring US entry visas, including Australia, Japan, Germany and the United Kingdom.

“With more travellers flocking to the Bahamas every year, we are delighted to add this service to the Nassau airport experience,” says Vernice Walkine, president and chief executive, Nassau Airport Development Company.

“BorderXpress APC kiosks will complement our existing amenities and newly-redeveloped terminal, allowing us to offer a truly world-class first and last impression to our customers. I’d like to recognise and thank our partners in this initiative, including the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, the Nassau Paradise Island Promotion Board and the international airlines operating out of LPIA, who’ve helped to fund the installation, operations and maintenance of the new processing system.”

The addition of BorderXpress to NAS will also help alleviate potential congestion resulting from the growth of new tourism properties on the island, including the Baha Mar mega-resort, slated to open in 2015.

“As an airport, we understand how important it is for people to get to their destinations quickly, efficiently and safely,” said Craig Richmond, president and chief executive, Vancouver International Airport (YVR).

“BorderXpress APC kiosks help airports process four times more passengers per CBP officer to dramatically cut wait times; lower operating costs and improve the customs experience for travellers and airport staff alike.”