[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 231 (Monday, December 2, 2002)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 71512-71513]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-30357]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY

Customs Service

19 CFR Parts 122 and 123

RIN 1515-AC73


Private Aircraft Programs: Establishment of the General Aviation 
Telephonic Entry (GATE) Program and Revisions to the Overflight Program

AGENCY: Customs Service, Treasury.

ACTION: Notice of withdrawal of proposed rulemaking.

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SUMMARY: This document informs the public that Customs has decided to 
withdraw its proposal to both establish a regulatory framework for the 
General Aviation Telephonic Entry (GATE) Program and revise the 
Overflight Program regulations. The withdrawal of the proposed 
rulemaking is based on Customs reconsideration of all aircraft entry 
procedures since the events of September 11, 2001.

EFFECTIVE DATE: December 2, 2002.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Elizabeth Tritt, Passenger Processing, 
Office of Field Operations; telephone (202) 927-4434.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    On August 3, 2001, Customs published a document in the Federal 
Register (66 FR 40649) proposing to amend the Customs Regulations 
pertaining to private aircraft programs. The amendments proposed to 
establish the General Aviation Telephonic Entry (GATE) Program--a 
voluntary program that was designed to facilitate Customs processing of 
certain pre-qualified frequent travelers on pre-registered general 
aviation aircraft arriving in the United States directly from Canada.
    The amendments also proposed to revise certain aspects of the 
Overflight Program--a voluntary program that exempts certain private 
aircraft arriving in the continental United States via certain areas 
south of the United States from the special landing requirement 
applicable to such aircraft. The proposed revisions of the Overflight 
Program would have modified the application process to standardize and 
streamline the information required and provide for centralized 
processing of requests for overflight privileges.
    Comments on the proposed amendment to the Customs Regulations were 
solicited for 60 days.
    Six comments were received in response to this proposal. All of the 
comments were favorable to the private aircraft programs, but certain 
clarifications were requested.
    The GATE Program had been operated on a test basis and allowed 
participating aircraft to report its arrival information to Customs 
telephonically and exempted to some degree participating frequent 
travelers in compliance with the program's requirements from the 
general Customs requirements concerning entry into the United States. 
On September 11, 2001, the GATE Program was indefinitely suspended 
following the terrorist attacks on the United States. On August 3, 
2002, the program was discontinued. Consistent

[[Page 71513]]

with the discontinuation of the GATE test, Customs has determined not 
to proceed with establishing the program in the regulations.
    Regarding the proposed revisions to the Overflight Program, Customs 
has carefully considered the comments received and further reviewed the 
matter. Taking into consideration the enhanced security concerns 
following the events of September 11, 2001, Customs has concluded that 
the proposed amendments concerning the Overflight Program must be 
further revised concerning advance notice of arrival issues. Customs 
anticipates issuing a new proposal in the near future regarding changes 
to the Overflight Program. In accordance with the above discussion, 
Customs is withdrawing the proposal it published August 3, 2001.

Robert C. Bonner,
Commissioner of Customs.
    Approved: November 25, 2002.
Timothy E. Skud,
Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Treasury.
[FR Doc. 02-30357 Filed 11-29-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4820-02-P