Chennault International Airport secures customs clearance

Long an industry leader in commercial and military MRO work, Chennault International Airport in Lake Charles, Louisiana, seeks to add air cargo to its portfolio. The airport has established procedures with U.S. Customs and Border Protection enabling 24/7/365 clearance of select international aircraft at the growing airport. Combined with its new air cargo facility that can be designated to receive international freight, Chennault continues to refine and expand its commercial capabilities.

The agreement with CBP allows for the clearance into the United States of foreign aircraft, crews, and air cargo utilizing the existing CBP Lake Charles Port of Entry. Foreign air cargo flights as well as maintenance-bound aircraft and crews may now enter the United States at Chennault.

Chennault will facilitate international clearances with U.S. Customs on behalf of industry partners as part of its commitment to grow business. U.S. Customs has agreed to respond accordingly and permit applicable international arrivals using its existing local resources.

“We are delighted to formalize this relationship with U.S. Customs to ensure foreign clearance capabilities,” said Chennault Executive Director Kevin Melton. “Our Gulf Coast location is an ideal airport for aircraft from Latin America to enter the United States and we are now able to clear those aircraft here.”

Establishing foreign clearance capabilities combined with the recently completed $4 million air cargo facility adds important capacity and capability to the airport. The new cargo building can be separately certified by CBP to receive international cargo. Melton said Chennault is ready to work closely with customers to efficiently enable certification of the facility and “has anticipated the need for and will assist the industry with fencing, data, security, and other measures necessary for our new facility to receive international cargo.”