Rochester, Minnesota - U.S. Customs and Border Protection joined Rochester International Airport (RST) in a ribbon cutting ceremony for Minnesota’s newest General Aviation Facility (GAF) on August 22, 2018.

The new state-of-the-art facility will begin welcoming travelers in near future and replaces an outdated facility. This designation will allow general aviation aircraft to arrive directly to Rochester without having to clear CBP processing in Minneapolis, or other Ports of Entry.

The opening of a new U.S. Customs and Border Protection General Aviation Facility is the latest investment and major service enhancement at the airport. The General Aviation Facility at RST has been in the works since the Rochester International Airport signed a letter of intent to build the GAF.

Minneapolis’s Area Port Director Augustine Moore formally recognized the newest General Aviation Facility in Area Port of Minneapolis on behalf of CBP.  “This is a positive step forward for the airport and the broader community, and CBP is ready to do our part to simultaneously support border security and economic prosperity.”

Mayor Ardell Brede of Rochester attended the Ribbon Cutting Ceremony, and recognized how the Rochester International Airport is “growing and taking off”. The mayor also recognized the role the new GAF will play in economic opportunity and overall growth of RST.  

 CBP’s dual mission is to facilitate legitimate trade and travel in the United States while securing the nation’s borders. To find out more about U.S. Customs and Border Protection in the Chicago area, visit @CBP Chicago on Twitter.