Antonio B Won Pat International Airport, located on the US island territory of Guam in the Western Pacific, has unveiled eight new automated passport control (APC) kiosks for use by passengers arriving at the US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) immigration hall.
The self-service kiosks were delivered at a cost of approximately US$500,000 and will help to simplify the entry process by automating the administrative functions with a two-step process. Key benefits include up to four times more travelers processed per border officer and up to 89% faster processing times for eligible travelers. The kiosks also help to process non-eligible travelers up to 33% faster than manual inspections.
Pedro Roy Martinez, acting executive manager, Antonio B Won Pat Airport, said, “We’re very excited to launch these new kiosks in our airport. These APC systems will definitely help alleviate some of the lengthy processing times and help create a much better arrival experience. Addressing the long processing entry lines has been a priority of the administration along with the airport and the Guam Visitors Bureau. With these new kiosks in place, the proverbial ‘light at the end of tunnel’ is now visible and we’re excited to welcome airport customers to this new service.”
Craig Richmond, president and CEO, Vancouver Airport Authority (YVR), the provider of the APC kiosks, said, “We are excited to support Guam and the Pacific region in improving the airport and travel experience for its passengers. With the implementation of BorderXpress at Guam International Airport, YVR continues to redefine the way travelers think about the border process, by reducing wait times and making it as smooth and hassle free as possible.”
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has also recently awarded the airport five separate grants totaling US$5.8m to fund various projects including the construction of a third floor corridor for arriving passengers, separating them from departing passengers in the current concourse area; the design and construction of an Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting (ARFF) building; design work to rehabilitate the apron and ramp area; the implementation of an airport safety management system (SMS); and the undertaking of a Wildlife Hazard Assessment.