Press Release

Issued by Shannon Airport Authority.

June 21, 2011

Shannon Airport has welcomed a procedural change for US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) that clears a significant hurdle with regard to capitalizing 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 29th and 30th next 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 preclearance.

"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 preclearance process at Shannon and guarantee quick aircraft turnarounds. For any operator who requires a fuel stop on the North Atlantic, preclearance 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."