Source: Detroit Free Press.
Drummond Island Airport in the US state of Michigan has announced that it will no longer allow private international flights to land on its runway.
The decision, made by the US Customs and Border Protection, was based on the fact that only around one private international flight lands at the island airport a week.
A statement from the customs agency noted: “U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), Office of Field Operations (OFO) will end landing rights for Drummond Island Airport (KDRM).
Effective September 30, 2018, CBP will no longer service KDRM for private international arrivals.
CBP has determined that continuing to provide services on a call out basis for private aircraft would be cost prohibitive and adversely affect CBP operations in the area.
On an average, CBP inspected 55 arriving aircraft a year at KDRM, or approximately 1 per week.
CBP will continue to service private aircraft at Sault Ste. Marie (CIU) or Sanderson Field (KANJ); both are located approximately 60 miles west of Drummond Island, where CBP assets are in place.”
The airport itself replied that aircraft arriving from international destinations such as Canada being halted will be a financial hit for the airport.