Pre-clearance gives Shannon timely boost

Tuesday, 06 January 2009

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Bernie English

Above: Minister for Transport Mr Noel Dempsey with Shannon Airport Authority Chairman Mr Pat Shanahan after the announcement of a pre-clearance agreement that will pave the way for Shannon Airport to become the first airport in Europe with these facilities for transatlantic services.

THE announcement that Shannon is to be the first airport in Europe to have full pre-clearance facilities for US-bound flights is being given an enormous welcome in the mid-west.
Businesses, politicians and aviation chiefs are predicting a major boost in passenger numbers coming in to Shannon as airlines take advantage of the clearance facility, which will mean they no longer have to fly into the larger - and more expensive - transatlantic airports.
The pre-clearance agreement between the two governments, which was formally signed by Transport Minister Noel Dempsey in Washington yesterday, will allow passengers undertake all necessary inspections before departing Shannon for the US. Previously, only immigration clearance was provided at Shannon, with customs and agriculture inspections taking place on arrival in the US.
The agreement has the potential to establish Shannon as an international aviation gateway between Europe and the United States. This will open a range of opportunities for transatlantic traffic growth. Only airports in Canada and the Caribbean have pre-clearance facilities for the US in place to date.
Welcoming the announcement, Shannon Airport Authority Chairman Pat Shanahan said the historic agreement will lead to a “significant advantage for Shannon over other European airports as well as raise the profile of the airport and the west of Ireland considerably. In addition to fast-tracking access for passengers flying from or through Shannon to US international airports, pre-clearance will also enable services to be established directly into any domestic US airport. This will make Shannon an ideal airport for low-cost transatlantic carriers and open the way for significant corporate jet business.”
He added, “This agreement has the potential for Shannon to emerge as a major transatlantic aviation gateway. It could increase the number of transatlantic flights daily in and out of Shannon, which will strengthen revenue and support employment levels at the airport in the process.
Shannon Airport Director Martin Moroney said that pre-clearance will also reduce costs and connection times for airlines, again enhancing the airport’s attractiveness to carriers, not least those already operating transatlantic services at Shannon.
“The benefits of having pre-clearance facilities for the US will extend way beyond Shannon as it will create opportunities for the west of Ireland in general and not least through the exposure of this region to the world’s corporate sector, many of whom we anticipate will avail of these pre-clearance facilities in Shannon on the way to the US,” he said.

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