Hector looks to consolidate customs

Hector International Airport officials are considering building a new facility to streamline operations for customs officers and international fliers at the Fargo airport.

Currently, the two U.S. Customs and Border Patrol officers assigned to the airport conduct inspections of inbound international commuter flights, private aircraft and charter flights at two sites: the Fargo Jet Center in the north general aviation area and the old terminal on the airport’s south end.

That can be an inconvenience for international flights that must taxi across the airport from the Jet Center to the old terminal to be inspected by customs, airport Executive Director Shawn Dobberstein said.

Municipal Airport Authority members on Tuesday continued to discuss plans for a separate facility near the Jet Center to house customs officers and operations in one location.

“We’re just trying to streamline it,” Dobberstein said. “Hopefully soon we’ll get there.”

Chris Misson, public affairs officer for the patrol’s Pembina, N.D., service area, which includes the airports in Fargo and Grand Forks, said that while there are no plans at this time to move into one facility, officials are working with the airport authority “to determine the most efficient means to provide service.”

If the plan moves forward, construction could begin next spring, Dobberstein said. The size and cost of the facility have yet to be determined, he said.

Customs officers have operated out of the old terminal, also known as the east terminal, since approximately 1986 when the current main terminal opened, he said.

The north general aviation area, which includes the Jet Center, opened in 1995 and provides 24-hour fueling and services, which aren’t available at the old terminal, Dobberstein said.

Custom officers screen international travelers and inspect flights to stop the flow of banned food and plant items, narcotics, illegal immigrants and terrorist threats.

In other business Tuesday, authority members heard that Hector enjoyed its third busiest month on record in July with 34,615 emplaned revenue passengers, or those who purchased tickets.

The figure marked a 4 percent drop from July 2009, but year-to-date passenger traffic remains 9.5 percent ahead of last year, according to the report.

“We’re having a great year,” Dobberstein said.

Readers can reach Forum reporter Mike Nowatzki at (701) 241-5528

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