For the first time in approximately three decades, U.S. Customs and Immigration service is now available at the Florida Keys Marathon International Airport, with last week's inauguration of a new 4,200-sq-ft permanent Customs and Border Patrol facility located in the former commercial terminal. In anticipation of the achievement, the airport recently added “International” to its name.
Located midfield on Taxiway Alpha, U.S. Customs is regularly available from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Wednesday though Sunday, with after-hours callout service available with 24 hours' notice. Cost for the $1.6 million facility was split equally between the Florida Department of Transportation and the Monroe County Airport Authority, said Thomas Henderson, assistant county airports director and Marathon Airport manager.
According to the Marathon Jet Center, the only FBO that pumps jet-A at the airport, after Customs clearance, pilots can request fuel to be delivered to the aircraft in the Customs area, depending on traffic, a feature that would waive facility fees for turbine-powered aircraft. The general aviation, non-towered airport is open 24/7 and features a 5,000-foot runway.