KISSIMMEE, Fla. — After years of planning, the City of Kissimmee has reached a major milestone as Kissimmee Gateway Airport received preliminary approval from the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) for a User Fee Facility designation, moving the airport one step closer to welcoming international arrivals and departures.
Once finalized, the designation will allow Customs officers to process international passengers on-site, opening new opportunities for international air service, private aviation, tourism, and economic development. Airport officials also say the expansion could help relieve congestion at Orlando International Airport by accommodating overflow international traffic.
The approval remains contingent on the construction of a CBP-compliant inspection facility, with construction expected to begin in 2027 and operations anticipated about two years later.
City leaders say the project will strengthen the regional economy, attract new business investment, and position Kissimmee Gateway Airport for continued growth. Officials are also working toward the long-term goal of becoming a Foreign Trade Zone to further expand the airport’s role in international commerce.
If completed, the project would mark one of the most significant milestones in the airport’s history and establish Kissimmee Gateway Airport as a new international gateway for Central Florida.
