Transport Minister welcomes US pre-clearance at Dublin Airport
Transport Minister Noel Dempsey has welcomed new "pre-clearance" facilities for passengers travelling to the US from Dublin Airport.
Minister Dempsey met the US Secretary for Homeland Security Janet Napolitano in Dublin today where they agreed the new procedures which will enable passengers to pass all US entry controls before they depart for the States.
It means they will not have to go through any further entry procedures when the arrive in America.
Speaking today Minister Dempsey said: "I am very happy to welcome Secretary Napolitano to Dublin and for her to view the preclearance facility that the Dublin Airport Authority has provided for the US Customs and Border Protection, which is a constituent part of her Department.
"Her presence here today is an affirmation of the importance that the United States Government attaches to US preclearance from Ireland.
"Early next year when this new preclearance facility here in Terminal 2 is opened 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.
" In the competitive field of aviation, time means money for airline operators. This agreement could help airline operators save valuable time."
Shannon Airport has operated full pre-clearance facilities for all US-bound passengers since March.
Ireland is the only country outside of the Americas to offer the service to passengers.
