Bowling Green Today

On May 16, 2024, President Biden signed into law an amendment proposed by U.S. Senator Rand Paul (R-KY) to designate the Cincinnati-Northern Kentucky International Airport (CVG) as a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) Port of Entry. This amendment was included in the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Reauthorization Act (H.R. 3935).

The designation will enable CVG to directly process shipments of wildlife and wildlife-derived products, eliminating logistical challenges, reducing costs, and creating job opportunities for Kentucky.

“Adding Cincinnati-Northern Kentucky International Airport as a Designated Port is a strategic move that enhances efficiency, reduces costs, creates jobs for Kentucky, and aligns it with the demands of global commerce,” said Dr. Paul. “My amendment is a win-win, not just for our Commonwealth but for the national economy.”

Candace McGraw, CEO of CVG, expressed gratitude towards Senator Paul: “For several years, Senator Paul has worked with us and DHL to grow cargo at CVG... I thank Senator Paul and his staff for their work on this amendment and getting it included in this important legislation.”

Andrew Williams, CEO for DHL Express Americas stated: “On behalf of DHL, we are thrilled to see Senator Paul’s amendment included in the FAA reauthorization... With this designation, we will see speedier processing times for customers.”

Jamie Handley from Atlas Air Worldwide also acknowledged Dr. Paul's efforts: “Senator Paul’s contributions to the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024 will help ensure that northern Kentucky continues to be a dominant air cargo hub for years to come.”

In 2022 alone, CVG handled over eight billion pounds of landed cargo but faced inefficiencies due to couriers needing to transport goods elsewhere for USFWS inspection. The new law addresses these issues by allowing direct processing at CVG.

Additionally, the legislation includes a provision permitting USFWS to accept donations from private entities to facilitate necessary changes.

Further details on Dr. Paul's amendment can be found in his op-ed published in the Cincinnati Enquirer.

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