NBTA Endorses Legislation To Upgrade Inbound International Air Travel

The National Business Travel Association today announced its support of passage by the U.S. House of Representatives of omnibus spending package H.R. 2764, which includes $40 million for adding customs agents and improving airport arrival information at the top 20 airports by inbound international arrivals and authorizes the International Registered Traveler Program. The bill could become law later this week, following expected Senate and presidential approval, according to C. Stewart Verdery, former assistant secretary for Homeland Security, who as partner and founder of Monument Policv Group now is the lead government affairs consultant to NBTA.

Funding for the Department of Homeland Security's Model Ports of Entry initiative includes funding for 200 additional customs and border protection agents and the remaining money is allocated for translators, video monitors and additional space in airports. The legislation was introduced in January 2006, and parts of the program have been piloted at Washington Dulles International and George Bush Intercontinental/Houston airports.

The bill also contains language authorizing the International Registered Traveler Program, including the implementation of definitive guidelines for the program within a year and then deployment in the top 20 international arrival airports within two years, according to Verdery.