CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Yeager Airport has reopened its customs agent office for the first time in two years.
The airport hired Officer Steven Collins to serve as Yeager’s customs agent. Collins replaces Officer Norm Justice who retired at the end of 2014.
“The customs office is now reopen at Yeager so that we can directly serve international flights,” said Mike Plante, airport spokesman.
In September, U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) sent a letter to U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Jeh Johnson encouraging him to immediately fill the vacant customs officer position.
Plante said having a customs agent in place has a number of advantages.
“It’s much more convenient to be able to come here directly and not have to clear customs some place else. They’re more apt to buy fuel here and use area services here as opposed to some place else,” he said.
Having a customs agent also helps business, airport officials said.
Officer Collins has been on the job since October.