Airport director welcomes business jet pre-clearance

SHANNON Airport has welcomed a procedural change for US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) that clears a significant hurdle with regard to capitalising on business aviation opportunities for the airport.
Welcoming the revised procedures by US authorities, which will enable much faster turn-around for business jets, Shannon Airport director Mary Considine said this is a very important development for the airport.
The announcement comes ahead of a business aviation conference titled Financial Solutions for Business Aircraft (FiSBA), co-hosted by Shannon Airport and Shannon Development on June 29 and June 30 at the Strand Hotel, Limerick.
The potential for significant global private jet operations out of Shannon Airport is set to be explored as part of the first ever business aviation conference to be held in Ireland. Shannon Airport in 2009 became the first airport in the world to offer full US pre-clearance.
“This change in procedure clears one of the most important hurdles that was in our way in terms of maximising the opportunities for significant private and corporate jet business at Shannon. As a result, over 200 US domestic airports can now receive international business jet flights directly from Shannon that have pre-cleared US Customs and Immigration at Shannon without delay.
“The new process will ensure an enhanced US pre-clearance process at Shannon and guarantee quick aircraft turnarounds. For any operator who requires a fuel stop on the North Atlantic, pre-clearance is an added bonus.
“We are grateful to the US authorities for this change and, indeed, to the National Business Aviation Association for their efforts in this regard,” Ms Considine acknowledged.
Clare Fine Gael TD Joe Carey said the policy change will remove a significant hurdle preventing Shannon Airport from capitalising on business opportunities as a result of full US pre-clearance.
With this stumbling block removed, he said Shannon should benefit hugely and should concentrate on growing this area of business, allowing business jet travellers pre-clear US Customs and Immigration at Shannon and then fly to over 200 US airports.
“I welcome the re-evaluation of this policy at Shannon Airport by the US Customs and Border Protection agents. This decision will reduce significantly the shutdown requirement that was leading to prohibitive ground delays.
“Corporate jets will now be in a position to use the Shannon CBP in a more efficient manner that will dramatically add to the attractiveness of the facility.
“This is a good news story that will lead to much needed extra business for the airport and the Mid-West Region. But it is now up to management at Shannon to aggressively sell this unique first-class service on the world stage in an effort to corner the US bound business jet market. “Government has played its part in recent weeks to help put Shannon Airport back on track. The recent announcement that funding will be provided for the Lynx cargo facility, highlights the ongoing support from government towards the Airport and investment in its future.
“We need to get the message out there now that Shannon Airport is a pioneering world class facility with the potential to act as a catalyst for job growth and creation in the Mid-West Region,” Deputy Carey said.