Plans to cut preclearance operating hours at airport

A NEW VIP lounge is to be developed at Shannon Airport and Quintessentially Aviation, the aviation wing of the world’s leading luxury lifestyle group Quintessentially, is behind it. However, there are also concerns about plans to cut the opening hours of the US customs and border protection preclearance facility, something that was crucial to securing the Quintessentially investment.

Contracts for the investment were signed last week at the second annual Irish Business Aviation Convention, which was hosted jointly by Shannon Airport and Shannon Development at Dromoland Castle.
Quintessentially will use the service as its flagship for corporate jet traffic operated from the world’s most exclusive private/corporate jet airport, Al Bateen Airport in Abu Dhabi, the only dedicated private jet airport in the Middle East.
The investment will result in Shannon being heavily marketed for its US preclearance facility into this area of the Middle East, which will attract private and corporate jet operators and owners to Shannon for transit stops en route to America. Shannon Airport is the only airport in the world offering a US preclearance service for business aviation.
Announcing the deal, Quintessentially Aviation chief operating officer, Brendan McQuaid said, “Quintessentially Aviation already operates a concierge service within the British Airways first-class lounge at Heathrow Airport and we will deliver the same level of service here at Shannon International Airport for our Middle Eastern clients travelling to the US.
“The US preclearance facility for business aviation is a unique offering that will enable our Middle Eastern clients to not just make their necessary transit stop but to also fully pre-clear at Shannon. This will allow them to land at any of over 200 domestic airports, rather than deal with congestion normally associated with having to clear on arrival in the US at international airports.
“This is the type of preferential service we provide for our clients and we will be looking to other markets beyond the Middle East in due course.”
Shannon Airport director Mary Considine said it is great news. “Having such a recognised global brand as Quintessentially Aviation commit to this investment at Shannon Airport is a really significant vote of confidence in our unique business aviation offering.
“US preclearance services were key to securing this investment but Shannon’s international reputation for handling corporate jets and our back-up maintenance, repair and overhaul services give the type of confidence to Quintessentially Aviation they want for their corporate and private jet clients from the Middle East and elsewhere.
“Not alone should this result in extra business for Shannon from this area of our operations but it will result in more of the highest nett-worth individuals in the world transiting our airport. This, in turn, will enable Ireland Inc to sell itself to this very important market.”
As the preclearance facility was crucial to securing the deal with Quintessentially, there are concerns about plans to reduce its operating hours at Shannon from 12 hours per day to eight hours.
Clare TD Pat Breen said he will raise the issue with US ambassador Dan Rooney at the weekend and will be lobbying members of the US Senate and Congress on it. In a statement, he outlined the type of change that is to take place.
“I am very concerned that the Department of Homeland Security is planning to reduce the operating hours of the US Customs and Border Protection facility at Shannon Airport. The facility in Shannon currently operates from 7am to 7pm from Sunday to Friday and from 7am to 3pm on Saturdays and I understand that from October 27 next, they are planning to reduce their hours and operate from 7am to 3pm daily.”
He said the Transport Minister has already been active on the issue. “I have discussed my concerns with Minister Varadkar. He is very conscious of the implications that this decision would have for Shannon Airport and he has been in contact with the US authorities to express these concerns. As a result of his discussions, the Department of Homeland Security have now agreed to maintain their current opening hours until the end of the summer schedule on October 27, not from October 1 as originally planned.”