Geneva (May 12, 2009) – If the feedback received thus far by Universal Aviation(sm) in Shannon is any indicator, European and Middle Eastern business aviation operators will flock to Shannon International Airport this fall when it becomes the first airport in Europe with full pre-clearance facilities to the United States.

The historic agreement between the U.S. and Ireland, reached in November 2008, will allow commercial air traffic to pre-clear U.S. Immigration, Customs and Agriculture in July 2009, while general aviation pre-clearance has been delayed until October 2009.

"Even with the business aviation pre-clearance start date being pushed back to the fall, we've been fielding calls daily from operators throughout Europe and the Middle East who are interested in taking advantage of the time savings and convenience of this agreement," said Brendan O'Grady, Managing Director, Universal Aviation(sm) in Ireland. "Operators from the Middle East, who are currently using other destinations as tech stops, have indicated they plan on using Shannon when pre-clearance goes into effect."

O'Grady said that while the full details and costs associated with pre-clearance for business aviation have not been finalized, the operating hours of 0700-1900 Shannon local time have been established.

"From an ops standpoint, pre-clearance will not delay operators any more than if they were using Shannon as a tech stop for fuel," O'Grady said. "I recently met with U.S. Customs and Border Protection to go over the 'dos and don'ts.' The airport is reinvesting 28 million euros for the existing terminal, which will have a separate area to deal with general aviation traffic, which should eliminate delays. Passengers can also still utilize the duty free lounge."

O'Grady said that he will be meeting weekly with the local airport authorities, as well as CBP and U.S. Homeland Security, until the go-live date and that operators with any questions regarding pre-clearance can contact him directly.

"This is an exciting time for Shannon and for operators traveling to the U.S. Now, they can pre-clear in Shannon and travel straight to their backdoor in the U.S," O'Grady said.

For more information on the pre-clearance agreement between the U.S. and Ireland, or on Universal Aviation(sm) in Ireland, contact O'Grady at +353 61 712059 or e-mail him at ireland@universalaviation.aero.

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