Universal Aviation Officials Working with Airport and CBP to Ensure Seamless Process

Universal Aviation in Shannon’s clients can now preclear all U.S. Customs and Immigration, proceeding directly to a growing list of approximately 200 airports within the U.S. 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 Aviationsm 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. “Preclearing 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 preclearance, 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.”

For the complete details on pre-clearance at Shannon, call Universal Aviation in Shannon at +353 61 712059 or visit http://www.universalweather.com/operationalupdates/.

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As we celebrate our 50th anniversary, Universal Weather and Aviation, Inc. is proud to continue helping our clients achieve successful trips. With more than two million trip legs facilitated since our inception in 1959, Universal® has more trips, more knowledge, and more experience than any other aviation trip support provider. Named Best International Trip Planner by the readers of a leading industry publication, Universal’s suite of products and services includes flight planning, weather, the UVair® Fueling Card, worldwide ground support from the award-winning Universal Aviation(sm), online trip tools, air-to-ground communications, and more.

Universal: Success from the word GO.

CONTACT:
Louis Smyth
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E-mail: lsmyth@univ-wea.com