Airport Courtesies

The Host Country Affairs Section of the U.S. Mission to the United Nations offers its services to the United Nations Community in arranging Airport Courtesies for; “Courtesies of the Port” on arrival, “Escort Screening Courtesies” on departure and “Overflight and Landing Request” for diplomatic (special) aircraft.   This airport assistance is limited to only “high-ranking” foreign officials arriving and/or departing from New York City area airports and other major airports in the United States. A high-ranking foreign official is defined as:  “An official at the ministerial rank or higher, who is considered the senior-most officer of state appointed to head an executive or administrative department or agency of that government.”

COURTESIES OF THE PORT

This airport courtesy provides for expedited entry through airport customs and border control on arrival at major U.S. airports. If authorized, a special lane moves “high-ranking” dignitaries through the normal airport arrival process without waiting in the general arrivals line (1). This “Courtesies of The Port” form must be submitted two (2) business days prior to the scheduled arrival date of the dignitary or delegation. If the dignitary or delegation is arriving with an armed security detail or your mission is requesting an armed U.S. security detail, this form must be submitted three (3) business days prior to the scheduled arrival date of the dignitary or delegation. For assistance contact: 212-415-4407.

Courtesies Of The Port Request Form        

ESCORT SCREENING COURTESIES

This airport courtesy provides for expedited assistance through airport security on departure by a U.S. State Department escort officer at major U.S. airports. Available only to “Ministerial or Cabinet” rank officials (2), the courtesy does not circumvent the security process but provides for a special lane to move dignitaries through the security process without waiting in the general security line.  This “Escort Screening Courtesies” form must be submitted at least two (2) business days prior to the scheduled departure date of the dignitary or delegation.  Dignitaries protected by U.S. armed security officers will have their departure through airport security facilitated by the accompanying detail; so there is no need to request this assistance from the U.S. Mission. Dignitaries departing on diplomatic (special) aircraft cannot be afforded “Escort Screening Courtesies”. For assistance contact: 212-415-4037

Escort Screening Courtesies Request Form   

OVERFLIGHT AND LANDING CLEARANCES

This airport courtesy provides for authorization to enter and/or overfly U.S. air space and to land at U.S. airports for dignitaries that are arriving by “diplomatic (special) aircraft” (3).   All such aircraft must request Overflight and Landing Clearance prior to entering U.S. airspace.  This “Overflight and Landing Clearance” form must be submitted at least two (2) business days prior to entering U.S. airspace.  This courtesy is specifically arranged through the U.S. State Department in Washington, D.C. For assistance contact:  202-736-7158.

Overflight and Landing Clearance Request Form

1 Head of State, *  Head of Government, *  Cabinet Officers,*  Deputy Cabinet Officers,*  Members of Parliament, Governors and Mayors,  Chiefs of

  Mission , High-Ranking Military Officers,  Immediate Members of Royal Families and High-Ranking Officials as designated by Chief of Protocol.

  *(and their traveling parties) 

2 Ministerial or Cabinet rank is defined as a senior-most officer of state appointed to head an executive or administrative department or agency of

   government.

3 A Diplomatic “special” Aircraft is defined as a military, government or state owned aircraft or aircraft chartered by a foreign country or organization to

   carry a government official or dignitary.

INSTRUCTIONS FOR COMPLETING REQUEST FORMS

·         Click on the appropriate Airport Courtesy required: “Courtesies of the Port,” “Escort Screening Courtesies” or “OverFlight and Landing Clearance” links above.

·         Fill out the appropriate form ensuring that all information is accurate and complete.

·         For “Courtesies of the Port”, save the form as a “Word Doc” (yourcountry.doc) and e-mailed as an attachment to: usunairportarrivals@state.gov

·         For “Escort Screening Courtesies”, save the form as a “Word Doc” (yourcountry.doc) and e-mail as an attachment to: airportescorts@state.gov

·         For “OverFlight and Landing Clearances”, save the form as a “Word Doc” (yourcountry.doc) and e-mail as an attachment to:  betheard@state.gov or print a copy and fax to:  202-647-4055 (For non-DCAS account holders)

If your return e-mail does not automatically open upon “clicking” on the above link, copy the address line, open a new e-mail, paste the address line into the e-mail and send the completed form as an attachment.

Please ensure that all the requested information on the forms is complete and accurate. Incomplete or inaccurate information will delay the processing of your request.

“Courtesies of the Port” and “Escort Screening Courtesies” forms should be e-mailed to the U.S. Mission at their respective e-mail addresses, Monday thru Thursday from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM and Fridays from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM. “Overflight and Landing Clearances” forms should be e-mailed or faxed (For non-DCAS account holders) Monday thru Friday from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM. 

To submit any of the three Airport Courtesy request forms on a weekend, holiday or after hours, contact the “Protocol Duty Officer” through the U.S. Department of State (Operations Center) at:  202-647-1512. 

CONTACT INFORMATION

For arrival “Courtesies of the Port” assistance. Call: 212-415-4407

For departure “Escort Screening Courtesies” assistance. Call: 212-415-4037

For aircraft “Overflight and Landing Clearances” assistance. Call: 202-736-7158

BRIEFING BOOK

Please “click” on the link below to download a copy of the “Airport Courtesies” Briefing Book.  This document covers all aspects of “Airport Courtesies” to include applying for “Courtesies of the Port” on arrival, “Escort Screening Courtesies” on departure and “Overflight and Landing Clearances” for diplomatic (special) aircraft arriving in the United States.

“Airport Courtesies” Briefing Book