US pre-clearance facility opens in Shannon

Shannon Airport today welcomed the first transatlantic passengers to be cleared through the new US pre-clearance facility which came into operation this morning.

It means that passengers will be fully cleared by customs and immigration in Shannon, and will not have to pass through any further checks when they land in America.

Shannon is the first airport outside of the US, Canada and Aruba to have these facilities and airport director Martin Moroney said that the service will open up very significant opportunities for business development for Shannon.

“This is an historic day for our airport and, indeed, a milestone moment in Irish-US relations," Mr Moroney said.

"Shannon is the first airport in Ireland to have these facilities in place, and represents a major upgrade of the pre-inspection which commenced in 1986. It is a very proud moment for us and we look forward to maximising this opportunity in the years ahead."

The service commenced today with commercial flights provided by major US carriers, while preclearance for general aviation, including corporate jets, is scheduled to begin later in the year.

The service will also be available at Dublin Airport from next year.

US Ambassador to Ireland Dan Rooney was among the dignitaries in Shannon today to mark the occasion.