United Kingdom
United States
Asia Pacific
US ‘likely to introduce passenger pre-clearance at Manchester’
Pre-clearance of British travellers flying to the US is likely to be introduced at Manchester Airport before being rolled out to Heathrow, TravelMole understands.
While the UK and the US governments have not confirmed a timeframe for the introduction, sources attending the IPW conference in Anaheim this week told TravelMole it would be introduced first at Manchester.
Such a move would allow passengers to clear all US customs before boarding their flight to reduce queues when they land in the US.
This week, the chief executive of the US Travel Association Roger Dow called the delays at US airports for arriving passengers ‘unacceptable’ and admitted they could put off international travellers.
He said more customs staff were being trained following a government shut down a few months ago, which restricted recruitment.
He also said conversations regarding pre-clearance of passengers were ongoing with the UK government.
Pre-clearance of passengers is only available at the moment at two European airports, both in Ireland. Earlier this year Dublin and Shannon agreed a deal with the Irish and US governments to expand their pre-clearance facilities, which were used by 1.7 million passengers in 2017.
By 2020, the US is aiming to increase by 30% the number of passengers that are pre-cleared.
Related News Stories:
Linsey McNeill
Editor Linsey McNeill has been writing about travel for more than three decades. Bylines include The Times, Telegraph, Observer, Guardian and Which? plus the South China Morning Post. She also shares insider tips on thetraveljournalist.co.uk
Bubba O’Keefe on Clarksdale’s Vibrant Music Scene
Commemorating Elvis and Embracing Tupelo’s Culture with Jennie Bradford Curlee
Craig Ray and the Expansion of the Blues Trail
Presenting Mississippi’s Cultural Trails with Katie Coats
Robert Terrell: A Journey Through BB King’s Influence
Rochelle Hicks: Celebrating Mississippi’s Musical Legacy
Exploring Jacksonville with Katie Mitura: The Flip Side of Florida
Tricia Handley-Hughes of Inteletravel announces the location for the TravelQuest 2025 conference
Insights from James Ferrara on Inteletravel’s Growth and Future
Tricia Handley-Hughes on Inteletravel’s Growth and Challenges
Tony from Gatto’s Pizza on Columbus’s Unique Pizza Trail
Sophia Hyder Hock on Global Social Inclusion in Tourism
Dozens fall ill in P&O Cruises ship outbreak
Woman dies after getting ‘entangled’ in baggage carousel
Turkish Airlines flight in emergency landing after pilot dies
Boy falls to death on cruise ship
Protestors now targeting Amsterdam cruise calls