Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has announced that the United States intends to enter into negotiations to expand air preclearance operations to 10 new foreign airports.
The 10 airports identified for possible preclearance locations are:
- Brussels Airport, Belgium;
- Punta Cana Airport, Dominican Republic;
- Narita International Airport, Japan;
- Amsterdam Airport Schipol, Netherlands;
- Oslo Airport, Norway;
- Madrid-Barajas Airport, Spain;
- Stockholm Arlanda Airport, Sweden;
- Istanbul Ataturk Airport, Turkey;
- London Heathrow Airport, United Kingdom; and
- Manchester Airport, United Kingdom.
The United States and the governments of the host countries are now expected to begin negotiations on setting up of the preclearance facilities in the respective airports. New preclearance facilities would be established once final air preclearance agreements are signed.
About Preclearance Program
Under the preclearance program, which is currently available in 15 airports, travelers undergo the immigration, customs, and agriculture inspection before boarding a direct flight to the United States rather than upon arrival in the U.S. The program facilities U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Officers stationed abroad to screen and make admissibility decisions about passengers and their accompanying goods or baggage heading to the United States before they leave the foreign port.
Harj Virdee, Panic Cell
