The U.S. Customs and Border Protection recently expanded its international trusted traveler pilot program. Global Entry, which provides frequent low-risk travelers with a mechanism to speed their processing through U.S. immigration checkpoints, is now operational in seven U.S. international airports.

Participants enrolled in Global Entry are able to bypass the regular passport control line upon reentry to the United States and proceed directly to the Global Entry kiosks, where their identity is confirmed via a biometric check. Upon successful completion of the Global Entry process at the kiosk, travelers are issued a receipt and directed to baggage claim and the exit, saving them time and energy.

“NBTA was pleased that DHS expanded the pilot program, continuing to make Global Entry a reality,” said Bill Connors, NBTA Executive Director & COO. “Global Entry will give frequent business travelers a quick and secure means to enter the United States, ultimately helping to promote the flow of international commerce.”

Despite the program’s expansion and convenience benefits to frequent international travelers, many business travel professionals are unfamiliar with the Global Entry program. In a recent NBTA poll of corporate travel managers, more than 50 percent had not heard of the program. Of those, nearly 40 percent were interested in learning more and would consider promoting the program to their travelers.

Nearly 40 percent of poll respondents are familiar with the program but do not promote it to their travelers. Gary Polito, Corporate Travel Manager for the Bose Corporation, is not yet promoting Global Entry. “I’m waiting for the program to mature,” he said. “It’s still going through its growing pains in terms of where it will be used, how one enrolls, etc.”

Congress passed the FY 2009 Homeland Security Appropriations Bill passed on September 27, which includes a measure to fund Global Entry, allocating $10 for the program’s expansion and enhancement. NBTA in June praised the House for initially moving this measure and has encouraged the President to quickly approve.

Global Entry is currently operational in the following U.S. international airports: Los Angeles International, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International, Chicago O’Hare International, Miami International, John F. Kennedy International, George Bush Intercontinental, and Washington Dulles International.

For more information about Global Entry, and to download promotional materials, visit http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/travel/trusted_traveler/global_entry/.