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Shannon Airport to Offer Full Pre-clearance for U.S.

17th November 2008 Shannon Airport is the first in Europe to be granted pre-clearance facilities for both customs and immigration for transatlantic services to the US.

The move will allow passengers to undertake all necessary inspections before departing Shannon for America.

Up to now, only immigration clearance was provided at Shannon, with customs and agriculture inspections taking place on arrival in the US.

British Airways has confirmed that passengers on its planned all business class services between London City Airport and New York JFK will be able to clear customs and immigration at Shannon on the westward journey. This means that means that passengers on the service arriving in JFK will be able to pass straight through the airport.

From January 1st 2009, all passengers travelling to the US under the Visa Waiver Programme must also have Travel Authorisation to the United States. Authorisation can be obtained by completing the online form at the US Department of Homeland Security and a decision will normally be made within seconds.

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