Aviation News Item: 06399

17th Mar 2010

Source: bartintl.com

Universal Aviation in Shannon's clients can now pre-clear all U.S. Customs and Immigration, proceeding directly to a growing list of approximately 200 airports within the U.S. On March 5, Universal Aviation in Shannon facilitated the ground support for the first two private flights to pre-clear all Customs and Immigration at the new facility.
"It is a great thrill to see our clients begin to take advantage of pre-clearance at Shannon," said Derek Collins, Operations Manager, Universal Aviation(sm) in Shannon. "We handled the first two aircraft to pre-clear and both crews were very impressed with the facility."
Shannon Airport officially became the first airport in the world, outside of the Americas, to allow Part 91 operators to pre-clear all U.S. Customs and Immigration at a ceremony March 1. The ceremony was attended by U.S. Ambassador to Ireland Dan Rooney, as well as Shannon Airport officials, local government officials and Universal Aviation representatives.
"The official launch is a culmination of an ongoing process, as we have been in close communications with the airport authority as well as Customs and Border Protection to make pre-clearance as efficient as possible for our clients," said Collins. "Moving forward, Universal® will continue to engage closely with all the authorities on our clients' behalf to ensure that pre-clearance maximizes the potential time and savings advantages."
Collins said the process time for pre-clearance will take about an hour to 90 minutes.
"Shannon is already a cost-efficient location for business aviation because there is no VAT tax, the zero duty zone, and Shannon's strategic location as a tech stop," said Collins. "Pre-clearing in Shannon is very practical, especially now that you can proceed directly to your destination within the U.S.," said Collins. "So far, the input from our clients who travel to the U.S. from Europe and the Middle East indicates that many will be taking advantage of pre-clearance, leading to an increase of traffic at Shannon."
Director of Shannon Airport Martin Moroney said, "We are very pleased that this unique facility is now open for business. The response of international private jet operators has been extremely positive to this initiative and we are keen to develop this significant business prospect by allowing the world's major private jet operators the opportunity to experience the benefits of the service firsthand."
Universal Aviation in Shannon is the only ground services provider at Shannon Airport that has been certified by the National Air Transportation Association's Safety 1st Professional Line Service Training (Safety 1st PLST).
"Our Safety 1st PLST certification demonstrates Universal Aviation's commitment to professionalism and safety," said Jonathan Howells, Regional Director, Europe, the Middle East and Africa, Universal Aviation. "We are very excited for our clients regarding the new pre-clearance services available to them through Shannon. Universal Aviation continues to work with the CBP and U.S. Embassy in Dublin, Ireland to develop this gateway to the U.S.A for our business aviation clients in Europe and the Middle East."

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