US official tours airport clearance facilities

US HOMELAND security secretary Janet Napolitano yesterday toured the US pre-clearance facilities at Dublin airport’s recently…

US HOMELAND security secretary Janet Napolitano yesterday toured the US pre-clearance facilities at Dublin airport’s recently opened Terminal 2.

The pre-clearance facilities are due to begin clearing US-bound passengers in early 2011, allowing them to clear all US entry controls before they leave Dublin airport.

Currently only US immigration clearance facilities are available at the airport. The procedures mean all pre-cleared US-bound travellers will face no further entry processes in the US and will be treated as if their flight had originated at a US domestic airport.

The facility will be run by officials from US Customs and Border Protection, which is part of Ms Napolitano’s department.

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Minister for Transport Noel Dempsey, who accompanied Ms Napolitano on her trip to Dublin airport, described her visit as an “affirmation of the importance that the United States government attaches to US pre-clearance from Ireland”. He said the new facility would bring many benefits to travellers and airline operators.

“All US-bound passengers will benefit from uninterrupted passage through US airports on arrival, saving time and hassle. Transatlantic airlines will benefit from being able to fly into less congested and less expensive domestic terminals on arrival at US airports.

“This should lead to easier access to aircraft stands thereby minimising the time between touchdown and passengers disembarking,” Mr Dempsey added.

“In the competitive field of aviation, time means money for airline operators. This agreement could help airline operators save valuable time.”

All US-bound passengers travelling from Shannon airport have been able to avail of full pre-clearance facilities since March this year. Ireland is the only country outside of the Americas to offer the service.