[Eagle Beach Boy]

From Amigoe.com/english
US customs short-staffed at Aruban airport
27 Okt, 2009, 08:49 (GMT -04:00)

ORANJESTAD — “There is a shortage of personnel with the customs of the United States at the airport of Aruba. We have informed Homeland Security, and we are waiting for a solution”, spokesman Hendrik Croes of Aruba Airport Authority (AAA) informed the Amigoe today.
This understaffing with the American Pre-clearance regards the budget of Homeland Security in the United States, according to Croes. The organization is supposedly short of cash. “The staff has therefore been cut down and that also affects the American customs on Aruba. This will lead to longer queues and busier times at the terminal for a longer period”, said Croes.
Even though this will have consequences for the activity on the airport, the spokesman said that AAA could not do anything about it. “The solution is not up to us, but in the hands of the American government. We will have to wait and see if additional personnel will arrive.” Nevertheless, Croes states that he is not concerned that the US customs post is at risk, although eventually it should be removed entirely.