New Global Entry kiosks have been installed in the preclearance area of LF Wade International Airport.

Global Entry provides quicker clearance for preapproved, low-risk travellers and accounts for an average of 9 per cent of all international air arrivals.

“US Customs and Border Protection is pleased to expand the Global Entry programme to Bermuda preclearance, from where more than 280,000 people travelled to the US last year,” said Paula Long, Bermuda preclearance port director.

“Global Entry allows our officers to focus their efforts on unknown and potentially higher risk air travellers, while at the same time efficiently and securely facilitating low-risk travellers.”

Global Entry members bypass the traditional CBP inspection lines and use an automated kiosk to complete their admission to the United States.

Travellers scan their passport and fingerprints, answer customs declaration questions using the kiosk’s touch screen and proceed with a receipt to the exit — the whole process takes only about one minute.

“We are delighted that our leisure, business and local resident travellers alike can now enjoy the automation benefits of the Global Entry programme,” Senator Michael Fahy, Minister of Tourism and Transport, said.

“The United States has entrusted Bermuda as one of its preclearance airports for over 40 years, enabling US-bound travellers to enjoy an easy and hassle-free arrival experience at any number of its major gateway airports. With the introduction of Global Entry, that experience can now, only get better.”

Aaron Adderley, general manager for the airport added: “We are happy to have the Global Entry programme available to travellers,”

“It is a tremendous, user-friendly tool that not only streamlines the departures process for our US-bound travellers, but equally important, it helps enhance CBP’s border protection efforts. We think our passengers will be pleased with the new, added option.”