Jazmin Li
An airport of entry is a port of entry for aircraft. Airports with international flights have customs and immigration facilities, which allow the right of entry. Passengers connecting to domestic flights from an international flight generally must take their checked luggage through customs and re-check their luggage at the domestic airline counter. In some countries, immigration procedures are carried out by the armed forces, rather than specific immigration officers. The first entrance to an airport is known as the 'Passenger Entrance' or 'Terminal Entrance'.
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What You'll Learn
Airports of entry have customs and immigration facilities
An airport of entry, also known as a port of entry, is an airport that provides customs and immigration facilities for incoming and outgoing passengers. These facilities are typically managed by customs officers, who are responsible for inspecting luggage, determining admissibility, and collecting duties on imports. In some countries, immigration procedures are handled by the armed forces rather than dedicated immigration officers.
At an airport of entry, customs officers may request travellers to provide their passwords or unlock their electronic devices for inspection. Travellers should be aware of their rights and potential risks when entering or exiting a country, as refusing to comply with certain requests may result in delays, additional questioning, or even denial of entry. For example, U.S. citizens cannot be denied entry for refusing to provide their passwords, while visa holders and tourists from visa waiver countries may risk denial of entry if they refuse.
The specific procedures and requirements at airports of entry can vary depending on the country and the traveller's citizenship status. For instance, U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents are not required to answer questions about their religious or political beliefs but must provide information confirming their identity and citizenship. Non-citizen visa holders may be denied entry if they refuse to answer officers' questions.
Some airports have implemented automated clearance sections, such as Global Entry in the United States, to facilitate the immigration process for their citizens or residents. Additionally, certain airports retain the designation of "international" even after ceasing to serve international flights, such as Osaka International Airport and Taipei Songshan Airport.
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Airports of entry can be used for military purposes
An international airport is a port of entry for aircraft, equipped with customs and border control facilities that enable passengers to travel between countries. International airports are usually larger than domestic airports, with longer runways and the capacity to accommodate heavier aircraft such as the Boeing 747 and Airbus A380, which are commonly used for international and intercontinental travel. These airports often host domestic flights, which feed passengers and cargo into international flights and vice versa.
International airports sometimes serve military as well as commercial purposes. Canton Island Airport, for example, served as a military airport during World War II and was later used as a refuelling stop by commercial airlines. The advent of jet aircraft in the early 1960s, such as the Boeing 707, meant that a mid-Pacific stop was no longer necessary, and the airport was closed to regular commercial use.
Several international airports are named after military figures and pilots. For instance, Sabiha Gökçen International Airport is named after the Turkish female pilot Sabiha Gökçen. Similarly, Jorge Chavez International Airport in Lima, Peru, is named after the Peruvian-French pilot Jorge Chavez, and Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport is named after the Australian aviator Charles Kingsford Smith.
Some international airports continue to retain the word "international" in their names even after they have ceased to serve international flights. Osaka International Airport is one such example. It became a purely domestic airport after the opening of Kansai International Airport in 1994 but kept its original name. Many airports in the region, including Taipei Songshan Airport, have undergone similar transitions.
International airports play a crucial role in controlling transmissible diseases such as SARS. While standards are regulated by ICAO Standards and Recommended Practices (SARPs) and WHO's International Health Regulations (IHR), local authorities have a significant say in their implementation.
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Airports of entry require specific entry forms to be completed
An airport of entry is a port of entry for aircraft. Ports of entry must have a Port Director, who is a higher pay grade than a typical border inspector. In some countries, armed forces carry out immigration procedures, while customs officers levy duty on imports.
At airports of entry, specific entry forms must be completed by all travellers, including visitors and citizens. For instance, in the United States, travellers must complete the CBP Declaration Form 6059B, which collects basic information about the traveller and any agricultural or wildlife products they are bringing into the country.
Airports of entry may also have specific identification requirements. For example, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) in the United States accepts expired IDs up to two years after expiration and does not require children under 18 to provide identification when travelling within the country. However, as of May 7, 2025, state-issued driver's licenses and IDs that are not REAL ID-compliant are no longer accepted as valid forms of identification at airports. Passengers without REAL ID-compliant identification may be directed to a separate area for additional screening.
Some airports of entry have automated sections for citizens or residents of the country, such as the e-Channel in Hong Kong and Macau, and Global Entry in some United States airports. In some cases, the concept of a port of entry does not exist on international borders, and travellers can cross wherever and whenever convenient. For example, EU citizens can travel freely within the Schengen Area, which includes 29 European countries.
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Airports of entry have a Port Director
An airport of entry (AOE) is an airport that provides customs and immigration services for arriving flights. These services allow the airport to serve as an initial port of entry for foreign visitors entering a country. Airports of entry can range from large urban airports with heavy scheduled passenger services to small rural airports serving general aviation exclusively. Smaller airports of entry are often located near an existing port of entry, such as a bridge or seaport.
Every port of entry must have a Port Director, who is responsible for overseeing the operations and management of the port of entry, including the airport of entry. The role of the Port Director includes ensuring the efficient and effective processing of incoming flights and passengers, coordinating with customs and immigration authorities, and maintaining the security and safety of the port.
The position of Port Director is typically a higher pay grade than that of a standard border inspector. However, the U.S. government has determined that some small border crossings, such as Churubusco, Chateaugay, and Fort Covington in New York, do not require their own Port Directors. In such cases, these border outposts are considered "stations" within a larger port of entry, such as the Trout River Port of Entry.
Port Directors play a crucial role in maintaining the smooth flow of people and goods through airports of entry. They work closely with customs and immigration officials to ensure compliance with the country's laws and regulations. Additionally, they oversee the inspection of passports and visas, luggage checks, and the levying of duties on imports. In some countries, Port Directors may also coordinate with the armed forces, who may be responsible for immigration procedures.
Furthermore, Port Directors are responsible for the overall management and administration of the airport of entry. This includes overseeing staff, maintaining facilities, and implementing policies and procedures to ensure the efficient and secure operation of the airport. They may also be involved in strategic planning and resource allocation to enhance the airport's capacity and capabilities.
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Airports of entry have a first gate where passports are checked
An airport of entry is a port of entry for aircraft. At airports of entry, there is typically a first gate where passports are checked. This is also known as the passenger entrance or terminal entrance. This first gate is where your printed ticket and passport are checked and matched with your face for the first time. In some countries, such as India and Turkey, there is an initial security check at the terminal door to ensure that only passengers with tickets are allowed into the terminal building.
At the first gate, gate agents may also want to ensure that none of the passengers have lost their passports between check-in and boarding. While it is unlikely that a passenger would lose their passport during this time, it is better to detect the problem while the passenger is still in the airport than for the passenger to arrive at the destination country without a passport. The check-in staff are confirming that the passenger is the person named on the ticket and that they are allowed to make the journey. Airlines are responsible for ensuring that passengers' passports are valid for travel to their destination, and some want this checked by their agent who has time to do so—the boarding gate agent does not have time for this.
In many European airports, there is an exit immigration check where passports are swiped to tell the system that the passenger has left. At the gate, some passengers have not yet been checked by the airline to ensure they are able to fly. These passengers typically check in online and don't check luggage, so they go straight to the gate without interacting with airline staff. The gate staff check these passengers' passports and do something involving their computer system that is the same as what would have happened if the passengers had already interacted with airline staff.
In some countries, immigration procedures are carried out by the armed forces rather than specific immigration officers. However, in most countries, the levying of duty on imports is still carried out by customs officers. Some countries have automated sections open to their own residents or citizens, such as the e-Channel found in Hong Kong and Macau, and Global Entry found at some airports in the United States.
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Frequently asked questions
A port of entry is an airport that has customs and immigration facilities, allowing a right of entry.
The first entrance to an airport is commonly known as the 'Passenger Entrance' or 'Terminal Entrance'. Here, your printed ticket and passport are checked and matched to your face.
Douglas Municipal Airport in Arizona became the first international airport of entry in the Americas in 1928.
When entering the US, travellers are required to declare any meats, fruits, vegetables, plants, seeds, animals, and plant and animal products. This includes items in checked baggage, carry-on luggage, or in a vehicle.
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