Shannon airport in Ireland has welcomed the proposed changes to the Ireland/United States preclearance agreement, which it says will enhance its US preclearance service for its passengers, particularly business aviation clients.

The decision, announced by the tánaiste and minister for foreign affairs and trade Simon Coveney and the minister for transport, tourism and sport Shane Ross, is expected to come into effect in the coming months.

Shannon's director of operations Niall Maloney comments: “This is a welcome announcement as it will allow us to extend our US preclearance service. Currently the preclearance operates from 0900 to 1700 daily, but with the new agreement we will now be able to extend these hours and offer an out of hours service. This is something which our executive jet customers in particular have requested. They see the time saving benefits as it allows them to fly directly to their home airport from Shannon, rather having to go to a designated clearance airport in the US first before making the onward flight to their final destination.

“In August 2009 Shannon became the first airport in Europe to have full US preclearance and we have operated a US pre-inspection facility since 1986. Shannon was also the first airport in the world to offer full US preclearance for private aircraft and is still the only airport in either Europe or the Middle East with this unique service."