Aer Lingus not using new Shannon U.S. emigration facility.

finbarrk

Anyone know whats the story about this? You would think they would use it as it would increase their passenger numbers. It's reported in todays Clare People. Continental Airlines passengers are using it and it's supposed to be a great success. Sounds like Aer Lingus are shooting theirselves in the foot. But then that wouldn't be the first time in Shannon.

jasonb

I read an article in a paper ( The Irish Times I think ) that basically said Aer Lingus' reasons were as follows :

At the moment Aer Lingus pays for space in the International Terminals of Airports in the US. If all Aer Lingus flights were using emmigration facilites in Ireland, they'd then have to break those contracts for the International Terminals and get new space in the Domestic Terminals in the Airports in the US.

As Shannon is up and running and Dublin isn't yet, Aer Lingus would actually have to pay for space in the Domestic Terminals for flights from Shannon and also pay for space in the International Terminals for flights from Dublin.

They've said that once Dublin's US Emmigration Facility opens up as well ( next year apparently ) then they'll look at breaking their contracts for the International Terminals and moving everything to Domestic.

I don't know how true all that is, but I'd normally trust the Irish Times and it seems to make sense to me...

J.

finbarrk

Maybe that explains it Jason, there has to be some reason. It means that I'm not going to use them while this is the case, no point in standing in a que in JFK when it could have been done in Shannon. Continental are cheaper anyway.

highlydebased

The reason is this.

EIN133 arrives at Shannon from Dublin. IF they were to use the new customs at Shannon, ALL PAX AND BAGS must be taken off the aircraft for inspection. At the moment pax originating in Dublin can remain on the aircraft. Hence, they would need a longer turnaround to do it, they only have less than an hour on the ground at the moment.

When the Dublin US customs is operational, the dublin pax can clear there, and the Shannon ones in Shannon, so there is no problem.

Its not to do with the immigration, they are already using that!

finbarrk

I dont mean the customs clearance for incoming passengers. It's the pre clerance for passengers on the way out regarding visas, etc.

highlydebased

finbarrk wrote: »

I dont mean the customs clearance for incoming passengers. It's the pre clerance for passengers on the way out regarding visas, etc.

No no- There is a new US Customs facility! For US Bound flights, basically this is done on the outbound at Shannon now (new facility), there has been alot of hype over it

They do use the immigration-I think the clare people must be misinformed!

Enigma'

It's purely for operational reasons. Most people, including the local politicians who won't stop moaning about it, refuse to accept this.

I've no doubt that EI will use this facility once the CBP in DUB T2 is up and running.