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Homeland Security 5 Year Anniversary 2003 - 2008, One Team, One Mission Securing the Homeland

DHS Announces New Private Aircraft Requirements

Release Date: November 17, 2008

For Immediate Release
DHS Press Office
Contact: 202-282-8010

Read the Final Rule in the Federal Register

Fact Sheet: Requirements for Private Aircraft Arriving
and Departing the United States

Fact Sheet: General Aviation

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security announced today additional measures to strengthen private aircraft security by requiring more detailed information about arriving and departing private aircraft and persons onboard, within a timeframe necessary for the department to assess the risks that certain flights may pose to national security. The Advance Information on Private Aircraft Arriving and Departing the United States final rule expands on existing regulations and is part of a comprehensive effort to strengthen general aviation security.

"We're placing considerable emphasis on raising security in the general aviation sector," said Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff. "By getting basic electronic information in advance, like we do with commercial aircraft, we are able to substantially reduce a vulnerability."

The final rule will require pilots of private aircraft to send U.S. Customs and Border Protection their electronic manifest data relative to all people traveling onboard. The following information must be sent one hour prior to departure for flights arriving into or departing from the United States by filing manifest data through the Electronic Advanced Passenger Information System or an approved alternate system:

  • Advance notice of arrival information;
  • Advance notice of departure information;
  • Aircraft information to foster aircraft identification; and
  • Complete passenger and crew manifest data

The Advance Information on Private Aircraft Arriving and Departing the United States final rule has been sent to the Federal Register for publication and is currently available at www.cbp.gov.

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This page was last reviewed/modified on November 17, 2008.