Lengthy queues at LAX to shorten

Lengthy queues at LAX to shorten
By admin


Australians travelling to Los Angeles can expect to clear immigration quicker, following the launch of 40 Automated Passport Control (APC) kiosks at LAX’s Tom Bradley International Terminal.

The kiosks are applicable for 38 Visa Waiver Countries, including Australia, who have registered with the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA), as well as US and Canadian citizens arriving from abroad.

The APC kiosks – featuring 13 languages – allow international travellers, including family groups, to submit customs declaration forms and biographic information electronically, reducing the amount of time spent with a Customs officer.  

The user simply follows clear instructions which include a passport scan and fingerprinting for non-US citizens at the kiosk before receiving a receipt confirming their information – a process said to take about 90 seconds. Travellers then proceed to a Customs officer to complete entry into the USA before collecting luggage, customs declaration and exit. The estimated time saved using the kiosks is estimated at 11 minutes.
 

“With faster processing times, shorter lines, and increased convenience these APC kiosks bring to LAX, we expect the passenger experience of the millions of international passengers who travel through LAX each year to improve substantially,” Los Angeles World Airports executive director, Gina Marie Lindsey said.

LAX expects some 70 million passengers will travel through the airport this year, of which 19 million are international travellers.

The US$2million project, with each APC kiosk costing US$36,000, is expected to be rolled out at LAX’s secondary international terminal, Terminal 2, which recently commenced a US$320 million renovation, scheduled to be finished in 2016.

Email the Travel Weekly team at traveldesk@travelweekly.com.au

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