WFS to operate first centralised cargo examination station at JFK
Centralised examination station to contain all segments of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection inspections
(From left): Rinzing Wangyal, Vice President, Business Development NA, WFS and Salvatore Ingrassia, Port Director, U.S Customs and Border Protection, JFK.
Worldwide Flight Services (WFS), a member of the SATS Group, has been selected by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to operate a new centralised examination station (CES) at New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK).
WFS has been awarded a five-year contract by CBP, one of the world's largest law enforcement organisations and the United States’ first unified border entity, which takes a comprehensive approach to border management and control, combining customs, immigration, border security, and agricultural protection, says an official release from WFS.
"When the CES begins its phased opening in Q12025, it will become the first air CES to contain all segments of CBP inspections as well as the first on-airport examination facility at JFK, processing import, export and USDA (Department of Agriculture) goods. Currently, the nearest CES station to JFK is located at Newark Airport."
Salvatore Ingrassia, Port Director, U.S. CBP at JFK says: "The CES is a game-changer for U.S. Customs and Border Protection at JFK Airport. The efficiencies realised from this facility will allow CBP to optimise resources and enhance our enforcement efforts to keep bad things such as dangerous precursor chemicals, goods that infringe on intellectual property rights, and imports that place the American people at risk for their health and safety, out of the commerce of the United States. The CES is also a win-win for the JFK trade community as the billions of dollars of lawfully imported goods will move through the JFK network with even greater speed and efficiency.”
“We recognise WFS as a global leader in international cargo and ground handling logistics, applaud their forward leaning innovation in the industry, and thank them for their willingness to step up as the CES Operator at JFK Airport. We look forward to our continued collaboration with WFS, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, our DHS partners, as well as our partner government agencies as this project moves forward.”
Over 85 international airlines move cargo through JFK in one of 20 different on-airport air cargo warehouses, facilitating an annual cargo throughput of approximately 1.4 million tonnes. JFK ranks in the top 10 in the U.S. for annual air cargo activity and top 25 globally, supporting over 70,000 jobs in the region and approximately $16 billion in economic impact, the release added.
“WFS is honoured to have been chosen by U.S. CBP, which is America’s front line to detect and disrupt threats at and beyond the country’s borders," says Mike Simpson, CEO, Americas, WFS. "WFS is proud to have been given this opportunity to support CBP’s outstanding work in protecting the safety and security of the United States by leveraging our cargo handling expertise. This partnership marks another exciting chapter for WFS and underscores our unwavering commitment to safety, security, and innovation in air cargo handling. We look forward to delivering exceptional service and contributing to the continued success of JFK and the air cargo industry.”
All shipments requiring inspection will need to be transported to the CES from their respective airline facilities. The on-airport examination station will yield significant productivity efficiencies for CBP officers, who will no longer have to travel to the cargo at various locations to complete inspections, the release added.
