WFS has been awarded a five-year contract and the CES will open in phases from the first quarter of 2025.
It will be the first Air CES to contain all segments of CBP inspections as well as the first on-airport examination facility at JFK to process imports, exports and US Department of Agriculture (USDA) goods.
The JFK facility will mean goods will no longer have to travel to Newark Liberty International Airport for examination.
Salvatore Ingrassia, Port Director for CBP at JFK says the CES will be a game-changer for CBP and will benefit the JFK cargo community as goods will flow through the network with greater speed and efficiency.
He said: “The efficiencies realised 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.”
The CES facility will be located within Building 151 at JFK and occupy more than 100,000 square feet of warehousing, office accommodation and support facilities.
It will benefit from the facility’s key location close to the ramp, providing fast airside access within the airport boundary from any airside location.
In preparation for the CES opening, WFS will upgrade the facility for the CBP’s specific requirements and custom software is being developed to make the JFK operation the first paperless CES.
WFS’s dock management system will process trucks efficiently and digital dashboards will be used to monitor the progress of shipments to optimise the processing of cargo.
Mike Simpson, CEO the Americas at WFS, said: “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.”
