“A new chapter in the development of transatlantic business” is how one Mid West T.D described the news of the opening up of Shannon Airport for Preclearance for U.S.-bound private aircraft Thursday.
It’s hoped Shannon Airport will now see a notable increase in private aircraft traffic through its U.S pre-clearance facilities as the airport is the first and only airport in Europe to offer such a service. Preclearance for private aircraft at the airport is expected to be introduced in the coming weeks.
It means that U.S. bound passengers clear all U.S. entry controls before boarding the aircraft at Shannon and upon arrival in the U.S, passengers are treated as if they had arrived from a U.S. domestic airport.
“I see the extension of preclearance at Shannon to private aircraft as a very positive development for Shannon Airport and for the Mid-West region in general,” Transport Minister Noel Dempsey said.
“Because of its location, a significant number of U.S. bound private aircraft already use Shannon for refuelling. I am confident that with this development there will be a significant increase in these numbers in order to take advantage for preclearance.”
Preclearance for commercial flights to the U.S. from Shannon was introduced on the 5th of August last year. Continental Airlines announced recently that it is to add four flights a week from Shannon to Newark Liberty International Airport.
