FBOs at Dover Air Force Base KDOV DOV

Airport security

Dover, Delaware presents an elevated street crime environment, with property and violent crime both notably higher than typical for the region, making situational awareness and secure vehicle arrangements advisable when operating in the surrounding city.

No official government bulletin designates Dover specifically as a civil unrest or terrorism flashpoint; however, the broader U.S. homeland remains in a heightened threat environment, with lone-actor and small-group threats assessed as persistent nationwide.

The U.S. Department of State rates the United States at Level 1 (Exercise Normal Precautions) for international travelers, and allied governments place it at equivalent tiers.

Dover Civil Air Terminal (KDOV) is a joint-use civil-military facility operating on Dover Air Force Base under a joint-use agreement between the Delaware River & Bay Authority and the U.S. Air Force, with the civil terminal situated on the north side of the base via a separate gated entrance.

Access control is governed by DoD and USAF authority rather than TSA jurisdiction; all aircraft require prior permission to land (with limited military exceptions), all vehicles are subject to search, and a full identity check is in effect at all entry points.

Civilian passengers transiting the military passenger terminal are subject to DoD security procedures, and individuals without a recognized base access credential must process through the Visitor Control Center for identity vetting and pass issuance.

Customs, immigration and regulatory

Hours: Customs landing rights available (Landing Rights Airport — not a designated Airport of Entry). CBP customs available by arrangement; specific hours not published on official sources — contact CAT (302) 736-6614 or Command Post for coordination prior to international arrival.

Overtime/on-call customs processing should be confirmed in advance. KDOV holds customs landing rights but is NOT an Airport of Entry; all international arrivals must pre-coordinate with CBP and the Civil Air Terminal.

Customs officers at military facilities are documented as operating to strict declaration standards.

Ground corridor

Dover, Delaware presents a low ambient ground transport threat, with risk characterised primarily by routine opportunistic property crime consistent with a small state capital; no active civil unrest, movement restrictions, armed conflict, or comprehensive embargo applies.

The airport sits approximately 3 miles east of the Dover city centre, accessible via US-13 and SR-1, which are the principal travel corridors and are considered reliable routes with normal traffic safety awareness required.

On-demand transport is available in the Dover area, though the market is limited relative to major metropolitan hubs; pre-arranged vehicles via a vetted ground support team are strongly advised for executive and security-sensitive movements, particularly given the controlled-access military environment and the limited immediate availability of on-demand transport at the Civil Air Terminal apron.

No armed conflict zone, comprehensive embargo, or elevated diligence sanctions regime applies to Delaware or the United States at this location.

City threat summary

Dover, Delaware presents an elevated street crime environment, with property and violent crime both notably higher than typical for the region, making situational awareness and secure vehicle arrangements advisable when operating in the surrounding city.

No official government bulletin designates Dover specifically as a civil unrest or terrorism flashpoint; however, the broader U.S. homeland remains in a heightened threat environment, with lone-actor and small-group threats assessed as persistent nationwide.

The U.S. Department of State rates the United States at Level 1 (Exercise Normal Precautions) for international travelers, and allied governments place it at equivalent tiers.

Country overview

The United States presents a moderate and broadly stable security environment, though civil unrest activity is substantially elevated by global standards and the domestic terrorism threat from lone-actor and small-cell actors remains persistent.

The November 2026 midterm elections — covering the full House of Representatives, more than a third of Senate seats, and a significant share of governorships — are generating heightened political tension and an increased potential for election-related unrest or targeted political violence.

Heightened immigration enforcement activity in major metropolitan areas and enhanced border screening procedures have added a distinct layer of concern for international travelers.