American Airlines today announced a partnership with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to pilot a new International Remote Baggage Screening (IRBS) program aimed at streamlining the international travel experience while maintaining high security standards. This initiative, along with the recently launched One Stop Security, reflects American’s ongoing efforts to enhance international travel for its customers.
The IRBS program will allow passengers arriving in the U.S. from select international airports to bypass the traditional step of claiming and rechecking their checked baggage in the CBP Customs Hall for connecting American Airlines flights. Instead, after clearing CBP Passport Control, passengers will proceed directly to a TSA checkpoint and then onto their connecting flight.
This new process leverages advanced technology to conduct baggage screening remotely, with the goal of reducing connection times and improving the overall travel journey. Importantly, the initiative does not alter any existing baggage screening requirements.
American Airlines, CBP, and the Sydney Airport Authority will launch the pilot program this week on American’s daily flight from Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport (SYD) to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). Both American and CBP anticipate expanding the IRBS process to other cities in the future.
Gary Tomasulo, Vice President of Global Corporate Security at American, expressed enthusiasm for the collaboration, stating, “By leveraging advanced technology and working with Sydney Airport and our vendor partners BagCheck and Brock Solutions, we are enhancing safety and security while streamlining the CBP baggage inspection process to make global travel smoother and more convenient for our customers.”
Acting Executive Assistant Commissioner Office of Field Operations for CBP, Diane J. Sabatino, highlighted the agency’s commitment to innovation, saying, “The International Remote Baggage Screening initiative is a significant step forward in modernizing our processes and providing a secure and seamless experience for international travelers.”
Graham White, Head of Security at Sydney Airport, also welcomed the initiative, noting its potential to improve the passenger experience while maintaining safety and efficiency.
The IRBS program aligns with CBP’s broader Airport Modernization Plan, which seeks to enhance security and traveler experiences through technological advancements at U.S. Federal Inspection Stations (FIS). This partnership marks a significant step in CBP’s efforts to balance national security with efficient international travel.
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