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  4. CBP Welcomes Newest General Aviation Facility

CBP Welcomes Newest General Aviation Facility

Release Date
Tue, 07/16/2019

South Bend, IND. — U.S. Customs and Border Protection joined South Bend International  Airport (SBN) in opening Indiana’s newest General Aviation Facility (GAF) on July 16, 2019.

Overhead
Jack Bebinger, CBP Assistant Director, Trade, Chicago Field Office, tells the local media about the new General Aviation
Facility in South Bend. In addition to South Bend International Airport now welcoming arriving passengers from overseas,
CBP will also offer Global Entry enrollment at the airport. 

The airport welcomed its first arrival, the Liverpool Soccer Club, and will be able to support the processing of general aviation, charter and scheduled internationally arriving flights. This designation will allow general aviation aircraft to arrive directly to South Bend without having to clear CBP processing at other major Ports of Entry.

Another feature of the SBN facilities is it will become the first location in Indiana that will offer Global Entry enrollment. The enrollments start on July 22, and CBP intends to initially pre-schedule applicants for appointments during a specific set of hours Monday through Wednesday. Since the South Bend location was added as an option, more than 100 appointments were made during the first four weeks after CBP starts providing service. “The Global Entry Enrollment Center at this airport will expand the benefits of Global Entry to a wider community and make it easier for Midwesterners to take advantage of the program,” said Jack Bebinger, CBP Assistant Director, Trade, Chicago Field Office.

“As a state, we’re committed to enhancing connectivity, helping both businesses and talent reach key markets across the country and around the world,” Governor Eric J. Holcomb said. “The work being done at the South Bend International Airport sets the stage for growth and creates the opportunity to attract new commercial, international service to the South Bend-Elkhart region to further propel tourism, economic development and talent attraction throughout northern Indiana.”

CBP has been processing international arrivals at SBN for corporate and general aviation flights since June 2017.  In 2018, 132 international arrivals landed and cleared at SBN. South Bend International Airport’s four air carriers provide nonstop flights to twelve cities:  Atlanta, Charlotte, Chicago, Dallas/Fort Worth, Detroit, Fort Myers/Punta Gorda, Las Vegas, Minneapolis, New York City/Newark, Orlando/Sanford, Phoenix/Mesa, and Tampa Bay/St. Petersburg with connections worldwide.

CBP’s dual mission is to facilitate legitimate trade and travel in the United States while securing the nation’s borders. To find out more about U.S. Customs and Border Protection in the Chicago area, visit @CBP Chicago on Twitter.

Last Modified: Feb 03, 2021