Obama promises to cut lines at US airports

US President Barack Obama wants to cut long and frustrating lines at customs for foreigners arriving at US airports. President Obama has promised to review airport procedures and give foreigners a smoother entry into the country. 

The US president has ordered his Cabinet to develop a comprehensive plan within 120 days. That plan is to focus on “a national goal for improving the experience of international arriving passengers, including expediting the arrival and entry process for international visitors to the United States”.

At some busy airports in the US - New York's John F. Kennedy airport and Dulles airport in Washington – passengers may need to wait an hour or longer before they can enter the country.

Obama announced that he has asked his administration to work with airports, airlines, hotel groups, states and cities to do more to improve the traveller experience and to reduce wait times for folks entering into the United States, all without compromising our security," he said. "If folks spend less time at the airport, they're more likely to come back for a return trip.” Obama vowed to automate passport controls, add new staff at customs and bring in top talent from the private sector to find ways to make entry lines move faster.