NEW YORK, USA (CMC) — The United States Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agency says John F Kennedy International Airport (JFK) in New York and Newark Liberty International Airport (NLIA) in New Jersey have expanded, for arriving passengers from the Caribbean and other places, the Mobile Passport Control (MPC).

On Friday, the CBP said that the MPC is the first authorised app to expedite a traveller’s arrival into the United States.

Eligible travellers will submit their passport information and customs declaration form to CBP via a smartphone or tablet app prior to arrival.

According to US CBP, android and iPhone users can download the Mobile Passport app for free from the Google Play Store and Apple App Store.

“CBP is proud to work with local stakeholders to offer Mobile Passport Control as an option to expedite travellers’ arrival to the United States,” said director of field operations in New York Robert E Perez.

“The CBP remains committed to making the international arrivals experience as traveller-friendly as possible through innovation and collaboration with stakeholders while maintaining the highest security standards,” he added.

With a record number of passengers travelling through the two airports, Thomas Bosco, Port Authority of New York and New Jersey aviation director, said the Port Authority is committed to enhancing its overall customer experience and investing in creative solutions to address the growing volumes of trade and travel.

“We are pleased that Newark Liberty and John F Kennedy international airports now offer Mobile Passport Control — an innovative programme that helps expedite the entry process for international travellers — and we thank US Customs and Border Protection for working with us on this enhancement,” he said.

Now with 13 participating airports, the CBP said Mobile Passport is helping airports enhance the travel experience as the busy summer travel season continues.

“We are delighted to welcome Mobile Passport Control to JFK Airport’s Terminal 4, the premier gateway to New York City, said Gert-Jan de Graaff, president and chief executive officer of JFKIAT – the company which operates Terminal 4 at JFK.

“Our terminal welcomes more than 70,000 passengers each day,” he added. “Giving these passengers the ability to submit their passport information and Customs declaration prior to arrival will surely increase the efficiency of the arrival process, and assist us in our mission to provide an enjoyable passenger experience for all travellers coming through Terminal 4.”

Much like Automated Passport Control (APC), the CBP said the app does not require pre-approval, is free to use, and does not collect any new information from travellers.

It said travellers opting to use the app will no longer have to complete a paper customs declaration form.

As a result, the CBP said travellers will experience shorter wait times, less congestion and faster processing.

It added that the MPC pilot, launched in August 2014 for eligible travellers arriving at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport in Georgia, is now available to passengers arriving at Chicago O’Hare International Airport, Miami International Airport, San Francisco International Airport, Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, JFK and NLIA

The CBP said it is committed to expanding the programme to the 20 airports with the highest volumes of international travellers by the end of this year.