Major US airlines are pressing the Trump administration to drop a proposal that would reduce customs and immigration processing at key international airports, including Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey, CNBC reported Friday.
United Airlines (UAL) Chief Executive Scott Kirby was scheduled to raise the issue directly with Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin, warning of potential disruptions to travelers, the report said, citing two people familiar with the matter.
Industry group Airlines for America, whose members include American Airlines (AAL), United, and Delta Air Lines (DAL), warned White House officials this week that scaling back Customs and Border Protection services at Newark would "create havoc" for the roughly 20,000 international passengers, mostly US citizens, who transit the hub daily, the report added, citing official document.
The group also cautioned that a bottleneck at Newark, a major connecting hub, would have outsized effects on travelers across the country and could curtail air cargo shipments, according to the report.
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