Release date: 
Tuesday, October 29, 2013

The Ottawa International Airport Authority is very pleased to announce enhancements to customer service in partnership with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (U.S. CBP).

Effective November 3, 2013, hours for U.S. CBP’s Ottawa Preclearance operation will shift to open at 4:30 am to accommodate the transborder flight schedule that commences with first flights at 6 am. The shift in hours means that Ottawa Preclearance will close at 7:30 pm each day, which will accommodate all currently scheduled flights.

“This change in hours is significant in Ottawa due to the peak period we experience each morning for transborder flights,” said Mark Laroche, Ottawa Airport Authority President and CEO. He added, “It means that our passengers will have a seamless check-in, security screening and U.S. Customs and Border Protection Service inspection process with no excessive wait times or queuing due to differences in operational hours for the various steps in the travel process. We appreciate their willingness to adapt their operation to serve our clients in the best possible way." 

U.S. CBP Port Director, Ellyna Larson, echoed Mr. Laroche's sentiments: "We have developed a very strong partnership with the Ottawa Airport Authority, and are very pleased to be able to play an even bigger role in the excellent customer service that the entire airport community provides our passengers."

OMCIAA operates Ottawa International Airport without government subsidies under an
80-year lease transfer agreement with Transport Canada. The OMCIAA’s mandate is to manage, operate and develop airport facilities and lands in support of the economic growth of the National Capital Region.

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