Corpus Christi airport receives upgrade

Corpus Christi International Airport's latest upgrade could bring more international flights and business to the area, airport officials said.

The airport's renovated federal inspection services facility, unveiled Thursday, allows U.S. Customs and Border Protection staff to more efficiently inspect and control items and people that enter the airport. One international flight of passengers had to wait four to six hours to go through customs and collect their luggage with the old facility. It will take about 45 minutes now. "Even when international flights were interested in Corpus Christi, we did not have the capacity to accommodate them," Director of Aviation Fred Segundo said. He hopes the new facility will encourage more flights to Corpus Christi and increase flights to Mexico. The $3.6 million project began in October. The Federal Aviation Administration paid for about 95 percent of the renovation. Edith Clarke, U.S. Customs and Border Protection port director, said the new facility will be more secure with the latest technology to process legitimate trade of travelers. The facility also has five inspection stations instead of two. "We're hoping this will be the doorway for international flights to Corpus Christi," Clarke said.