GATE Closed and Locked Indefinitely

U.S. Customs has decided not to continue the General Aviation Telephonic Entry (GATE) program, which was designed to facilitate customs processing of certain prequalified travelers on preregistered general aviation aircraft arriving in the U.S. from Canada. The program was under test operation until it was shut down after 9/11. Customs also has decided not to proceed with pre-9/11 proposed changes that would have streamlined the application process to the overflight program, a plan that exempts certain private aircraft arriving in the U.S. via specific areas south of the nation from the special landing requirements normally applicable to such aircraft.