Minister of State Tony Killeen, T.D., today welcomed the commencement of US immigration pre-clearance operations for private aircraft at Shannon Airport.
The Clare T.D. noted that Shannon can now look forward to a notable increase in private aircraft utilising the US pre-clearance facilities as it is the only airport in Europe to offer such a service.
The local T.D. added: “Similar to the interest shown by commercial aviation since pre-clearance for commercial flights to the U.S. from Shannon was introduced on 5 August 2009, Shannon can expect a significant increase in private aircraft routing through Shannon. I am aware that a number of private aircraft already use the airport for refuelling and I am confident that a much greater number of such aircraft will take advantage of the new pre-clearance facility”.
“I would like to pay tribute to the US Ambassador to Ireland Daniel M. Rooney; U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security, Ms Janet Napolitano; Minister for Transport Noel Dempsey and the Shannon Airport Authority for their efforts in ensuring that the pre-clearance facilities were made available to US-bound private aircraft. This development is key to the continued success of the facilities in question, which are the envy of other airports throughout Europe”, Minister of State Killeen stated.
Minister of State Killeen continued: “The US Customs and Border Protection Inspection post has had a positive impact on the development of transatlantic business at Shannon since it was established in August 2009. Evidence of this success is visible from Continental Airlines recent announcement that it is to add four flights a week to Newark Liberty International Airport. These new facilities clearly have the potential to replace business lost due to the global economic downturn and the advent of open skies with its implications for transatlantic business at Shannon Airport.”
The Clare T.D. noted that Shannon can now look forward to a notable increase in private aircraft utilising the US pre-clearance facilities as it is the only airport in Europe to offer such a service.
The local T.D. added: “Similar to the interest shown by commercial aviation since pre-clearance for commercial flights to the U.S. from Shannon was introduced on 5 August 2009, Shannon can expect a significant increase in private aircraft routing through Shannon. I am aware that a number of private aircraft already use the airport for refuelling and I am confident that a much greater number of such aircraft will take advantage of the new pre-clearance facility”.
“I would like to pay tribute to the US Ambassador to Ireland Daniel M. Rooney; U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security, Ms Janet Napolitano; Minister for Transport Noel Dempsey and the Shannon Airport Authority for their efforts in ensuring that the pre-clearance facilities were made available to US-bound private aircraft. This development is key to the continued success of the facilities in question, which are the envy of other airports throughout Europe”, Minister of State Killeen stated.
Minister of State Killeen continued: “The US Customs and Border Protection Inspection post has had a positive impact on the development of transatlantic business at Shannon since it was established in August 2009. Evidence of this success is visible from Continental Airlines recent announcement that it is to add four flights a week to Newark Liberty International Airport. These new facilities clearly have the potential to replace business lost due to the global economic downturn and the advent of open skies with its implications for transatlantic business at Shannon Airport.”
