LOS ANGELES – U.S. Customs and Border Protection announced on Friday, June 4th that the number of international travelers traveling through Los Angeles International Airport this summer will increase by 300% compared to last summer As more people in the US and abroad travel vaccinated and want to travel again.
“CBP proactively mitigates the potential waiting time impact by maximizing our available resources,” said Carlos C. Martel, CBP director of field operations in Los Angeles. “In order to improve the travel experience this summer, we are realigning staff during peak hours and will constantly adjust these resources to meet passenger demand.”
Officials said they expect the number of international travelers at LAX to reach 18,000 people per day, tripling from 4,500 passengers per day in the summer of 2020. To prepare for the surge, CBP is increasing passenger handling by maximizing the stakes speed up biometric technology.
“When travelers return to our airports this summer, they will find that LAX and US Customs and Border Protection have incorporated the latest in touchless technology to create a safer, cleaner and more efficient experience,” said Justin Erbacci, chief executive officer, World Airports from Los Angeles. “Whether it’s biometric identification or the fast and easy-to-use Mobile Passport app, passengers entering the country via LAX have many options to ensure a faster and smoother journey.”
CBP will also conduct public relations to inform travelers how to avoid unnecessary delays and work with its partners to make the passenger flow process more efficient.
“We advise travelers to prepare for heavy traffic and avoid unnecessary delays,” said Cheryl M. Davies, CBP Acting Area Port Director Los Angeles International Airport. “Simply downloading the CBP Mobile Passport Control (MPC) app on their smartphone would enable travelers to skip long lines by using MPC-dedicated lanes.”
In addition to wearing protective face covering and bringing all necessary travel documents with you, international travelers have been encouraged to plan their trip in advance by:
- Use your smartphone’s Mobile Passport Control app to skip long lines;
- Declaration of all items imported from abroad;
- Review the list of items banned in the United States, including ivory, tortoiseshell products, and counterfeit items;
- Review of US Unapproved Drugs List; and
- Online check-in with the airline before departure for the airport.
For more information and reminders about international travel, visit cbp.gov/travel.
