el flight emergency landing at Billings MT re customs?

They had TWO US Customs/Immigration procedures.

The flight landing was administered by US Customs and Immigration NORMAL procedures.

The passengers were off loaded and taken to a secure area in the terminal They even received a Kosher Meal.

This is a NORMAL procedure and happens frequently at many Airports when there is an unexpected arrival .

http://www.ktvq.com/story/30521976/international-f...

http://www.flybillings.com/Index.aspx?NID=1833

The passengers cleared Initial Immigration in Billings.There is a US Customs/Immigration Office and it is opened as required for expected Flight Arrivals It is not in the Terminal but the General Aviation Area.for Private plan use.

The plane needed to be evacuated procedures are in place to take the Passengers and luggage to a secure area. The Customs Officers would then clear the passengers.. As it is a small Office it would take some time to do this. Officers were dispatched from other nearby Offices to do this.BOTH Customs and Immigration staff.

IF the plane had landed at an Airport with no Customs Service the plane would be kept isolated by Local Police. If necessary Customs and Immigration staff would be dispatched to clear the passengers and luggage. This is nothing New and procedures have been in place for years.

Reasons for landings are usually Medical on board emergency or mechanical issues. They are dealt with on a case by case basis depending on the situation.

This Flight landed due to Engine Fire. If it would have happened a few minutes earlier the plane would have landed at the nearest Airport in Canada and then Canada Customs would have dealt with the Passengers as necessary.

There is a US Customs Office at the Airport. It is not staffed 24 hours a day . Staff open the Office as required. The Airline gets a Bill for the Customs Clearance expenses and other things at the Airport..It is at a Premium rate due to overtime and travel costs of Officers. NORMAL Procedure.

http://missoulian.com/news/state-and-regional/el-a...

There are 16 US Customs Offices in Montana that staff could have come from.

In this Case they had TWO Customs/Immigration Procedures. One in Billings and then a secondary one In LAX for their Luggage and Carry on stuff they left behind when the plane was evacuated.

No. They were sequestered in the terminal. While Billings does have customs officers, they are primarily for private sector, not commercial as there are currently no commercial international flights. Furthermore, it was understood that the delay would be temporary so there was no need for anyone to leave the airport.