News

UA installs automated passport control kiosks at Newark Liberty

June 27, 2014

United Airlines customers returning to the U.S. through Newark Liberty International Airport can now enjoy a faster customs experience. The airline has installed 20 automated passport control BorderXpress kiosks in the Terminal C customs hall at its Newark Liberty hub.

The kiosks were developed by BorderXpress, Innovation by YVR, in partnership with U.S. Customs and Border Protection. The units are manufactured by Vancouver Airport Authority, which owns the BorderXpress business.

United's new APC kiosks expedite the CBP entry process by enabling travelers to scan their passports and complete customs declarations before proceeding to a CBP officer. The kiosks significantly reduce customs wait times, accelerating the screening process by an average of 89 percent, according to Vancouver Airport Authority.

"This technology will offer our customers shorter wait times, less congestion and faster flight connections," Don Wright, United vice president at Newark Liberty, said in a statement. "We're pleased to bring automated passport control to our New York-area hub and we will continue to invest in services that provide more choice, control and convenience to our global customers."

"U.S. Customs and Border Protection places a significant value on our public-private partnerships, and we continue to collaborate on innovations to improve the international arrivals process," Robert E. Perez, CBP's New York director of field operations, said in a statement. "The automated passport control kiosks are a prime example of our efforts to deploy a solution that is mutually beneficial for CBP, airline carriers, airport authorities and international air travelers."

United customers who use the kiosks follow a set of simple on-screen instructions to obtain a receipt confirming their identity and flight information. Passengers then bring the receipt and their passport to a CBP officer for final processing.

United has also rolled out APC kiosks at its hubs in Chicago and Houston over the past year and plans to deploy an additional 10 units at Newark Liberty in the coming weeks. The APC service is free to all international travelers with a U.S. or Canadian passport and does not require pre-registration.