San Jose, Calif. — The Airports Council International-North America (ACI-NA) and Airside Mobile today debuted Mobile Passport Control (MPC), a new smartphone app developed in partnership with United States Customs and Border Protection (CBP) that is expected to be available by the end of 2013 for both Android and iOS users.
Once available, MPC could considerably reduce passengers’ waiting time for the primary inspection process clearing into ports of entry at U.S. airports. Passengers using the app will input their customs declaration and passport information and upload a photograph directly through MPC to the CBP computer system at that airport. CBP will then send a response back to the app directing the user, depending on CBP’s determination, to a lane for expedited clearance or a lane for regular clearance. The following images show MPC’s interface and functionality:
“Mobile Passport Control represents a tremendous breakthrough in improving a part of air travel that can prove tedious to many travelers entering or returning to the U.S.,” said Deborah McElroy, interim president of ACI-NA. “MPC brings the streamlined functionality of a kiosk to the smartphone, and ACI-NA is proud to partner with Airside Mobile and CBP in delivering this technology to passengers.”
“MPC will create a faster, easier experience for processing through Customs, which will really help travelers when they are tired and just want to get to their home or hotel,” said Airside CEO Hans Miller. “If you’ve ever used your phone to get a boarding pass or a movie ticket, you’ll feel right at home with this new process. We are excited to be helping ACI-NA and CBP make a real difference in the travel experience.”
ACI-NA and Airside Mobile worked in collaboration with CBP’s Office of Field Operations and Office of Informational Technology in developing MPC. The app was debuted during the 2013 ACI-NA Annual Conference and Exhibition, which runs through Wednesday, Sept. 25, at the San Jose McEnery Convention Center in San Jose, Calif.///;
About ACI-NA
Airports Council International - North America represents local, regional and state governing bodies that own and operate commercial airports in the United States and Canada. ACI-NA member airports enplane more than 95 percent of the domestic and virtually all the international airline passenger and cargo traffic in North America. More than 340 aviation-related businesses are also members of the association, which is the largest of the five worldwide regions of Airports Council International.
About Airside Mobile
Based in Arlington, Va., Airside Mobile, Inc. helps air travelers save time and have a smoother, faster airport experience through its proprietary services platform and network of market-leading partners. Find out more at www.airsidemobile.com.
