In the last few years, many airports around the country have implemented self-service kiosks in their customs areas to help passengers move through more quickly. Among these airports is Newark Airport, and according to Manhattan-based group Global Gateway Alliance, the average wait time for passengers was reduced by 21% in 2014.
The kiosks were developed to serve American passengers who are returning to the United States. When passengers approach the kiosks, they simply swipe their passport and then answer a series of questions. When they’ve finished, a piece of paper will print out and they hand the paper to the customs officer to be verified.
In an article by nj.com, Global Gateway Alliance founder Joseph Sitt explains that long wait times discourage international travelers and that more kiosks need to be implemented.
“The bottom line is, the kiosks have worked to dramatically improve a situation that was hurting the New York and U.S. brand,” Sitt said. “But the Federal Government needs to step up and bring the technology and manpower necessary to every international terminal.”
While there are no set plans to install more kiosks, we may eventually see increase in the number of them throughout other airports.