Phoenix’s Sky Harbor Airport to gain more staff for international flights

PHOENIX — Just in time for the peak travel season during the holidays, Phoenix’s Sky Harbor International Airport will gain more staff from U.S. Customs and Border Protection, cutting wait times up to 30 percent.

Julie Rodriguez, a City of Phoenix Aviation Department representative, said the staffing additions will assist international passengers who are catching a connecting flight in Phoenix.

“The program will allow Sky Harbor or its airlines to reimburse Customs for expanded services in order to reduce wait times if necessary or accommodate late-night or early-morning international arrivals,” she said.

Rodriguez said the program will allow a greater number of international flights to arrive in Phoenix.

“If we have an international airline that wants to come in and add a flight that is outside of the usual Customs staffing hours, this will allow us to work with Customs,” she said.