Worldwide Flight Services (WFS), a member of the SATS Group, has been selected by the US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to operate a new Centralized Examination Station (CES) at New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK).

WFS has been awarded a five-year contract by CBP, one of the world's largest law enforcement organizations and the United States' first unified border entity, which takes a comprehensive approach to border management and control, combining customs, immigration, border security, and agricultural protection.

WFS said when the CES begins its phased opening in Q1 2025, it will become the first Air CES to contain all segments of CBP inspections as well as the first on-airport examination facility at JFK, processing import, export, and USDA (Department of Agriculture) goods.

Currently, the nearest CES station to JFK is located at Newark Airport.  

"The Centralized Examination Station (CES) is a game-changer for U.S. Customs and Border Protection at JFK Airport. The efficiencies realized from this facility will allow CBP to optimize resources and enhance our enforcement efforts to keep bad things, such as dangerous precursor chemicals, goods that infringe on intellectual property rights, and imports that place the American people at risk for their health and safety, out of the commerce of the United States," said Salvatore Ingrassia, port Director, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) at JFK.

"The CES is also a win-win for the JFK trade community, as the billions of dollars of lawfully imported goods will move through the JFK network with even greater speed and efficiency," he added.

JFK is North America's busiest international airport for both international passengers and international widebody flight operations.

As a result, JFK is a primary gateway for international air cargo — both for passenger airlines flying cargo in the bellyhold of aircraft as well as pure freighter activities.

The announcement said over 85 international airlines move cargo through JFK in one of 20 different on-airport air cargo warehouses, facilitating an annual cargo throughput of approximately 1.4 million tons.

JFK also ranks in the top 10 in the US for annual air cargo activity and top 25 globally.

"WFS is honoured to have been chosen by U.S. Customs and Border Protection, which is America's front line to detect and disrupt threats at and beyond the country's borders. WFS is proud to have been given this opportunity to support CBP’s outstanding work in protecting the safety and security of the United States by leveraging our cargo handling expertise," said Mike Simpson, CEO the Americas at WFS.

"This partnership marks another exciting chapter for WFS and underscores our unwavering commitment to safety, security, and innovation in air cargo handling. We look forward to delivering exceptional service and contributing to the continued success of JFK and the air cargo industry," he added.

The announcement said the CES facility will be located within Building 151 at New York JFK, one of WFS' cargo facilities at the airport, and will occupy more than 100,000 sqft of warehousing, office accommodation, and support facilities.

The CES will benefit from the facility's key location close to the ramp, providing fast airside access within the airport boundary from any airside location.