DEPARTMENT: Aviation
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Russell J. Handy
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: Citywide
SUBJECT:
Lease Agreement with U.S. Customs and Border Protection for the Federal Inspection Station in Terminal A of the San Antonio International Airport
SUMMARY:
This ordinance authorizes a lease agreement with the United States (U.S.) Customs and Border Protection (CBP) for the Federal Inspection Station (FIS) in Terminal A of the San Antonio International Airport. The facility, which has been under renovation for the past 2 years, is approximately 37,803 square feet and is expected to complete renovations in January 2020. The term for this agreement is on a year-to-year basis for a total of 20 years.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
Both U.S. citizens and foreign visitors arriving into the United States either on a general aviation or commercial aircraft are required to be processed in a FIS before they exit the airport by U.S. Federal Law. All international passengers are required to show their passport and may have their luggage checked. It is federally mandated that the U.S. government is responsible for providing these services through CBP, while the airport owners are responsible for providing the space, necessary support infrastructure and maintenance of the space to allow CBP to perform its work. The FIS is considered the sovereign territory of the United States and not the City of San Antonio (or any airport owner).
At the San Antonio International Airport, the FIS is located in Terminal A. Since March 2017, this area has been under renovation and expansion in order to increase the number of travelers processed from 400 to 800 per hour during peak travel hours and increase baggage handling from 180 bags per flight to 350 bags per flight. The expansion project will increase the space from approximately 25,000 square feet to approximately 37,800 square feet. Additionally, this project constructed new restrooms, offices and installed a new data telecom ...
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