In a move that will hopefully boost their positions as transatlantic hubs, both Shannon and Dublin Airports in Ireland will be the first airports outside of the Americas to offer full U.S. immigration checks before departure.
Reuters is reporting that Ireland’s transport minister Noel Dempsey will sign an agreement with U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Michael Chertoff that will allow Shannon to offer full clearance facilities by Summer 2009 and Dublin in 2010.
Dempsey said this means that airlines will be able to fly to less congested airports which often do not have full U.S. Customs facilities as well as allow the passengers to check their baggage through to their final destination. Flights from the two airports will be treated like domestic U.S. flights.
Currently, only flights to and from Canada and the Caribbean offer full U.S. immigration services. Those passengers flying from airports which offer only immigration clearance must clear customs and agriculture inspection upon arrival into the United States.
Aer Lingus stopped flying from Shannon to London Heathrow and started services from Belfast due to cost issues. Ryanair is also reducing its flights from Shannon by 75 percent due to the airport departure tax.
On a brighter note, British Airways is considering starting flights from London City airport to the United States with a stopover in Shannon so it can take advantage of the full customs facilities.
