WASHINGTON, April 23 (UPI) -- A program to streamline air travel for authorized travelers who pass an extensive security check was launched Thursday in the United States and the Netherlands.
U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano announced the launch of the Global Entry air-travel program with the Netherlands. The program expedites the border-security entry process for travelers who have passed an extensive background check, the Department of Homeland Security reported.
The deal between the Netherlands and the United States marks the first country outside of North America registered for the travel program. Officials said frequent travelers between the United States and the Netherlands who pass the security screening will have streamlined entry into both countries through international airports with identification confirmed by fingerprints or other simple biometric data.
"By mutually recognizing these two programs, the governments of the United States and the Netherlands will be making travel between our nations more convenient and more secure," Napolitano said in a statement.
"We are pleased to join the government and immigration officials of the Netherlands in using technology and modern security tools to strengthen and streamline our entry processes."
