Industry Groups Oppose U.S. Customs Clearance at Abu Dhabi | Aviation International News

Industry Groups Oppose U.S. Customs Clearance at Abu Dhabi | Aviation International News:

 "

 A U.S. customs pre-clearance facility meant to
                                ease travel through Abu Dhabi International                                  
Airport would give Etihad Airways an unfair
advantage, industry groups allege.
(Photo: Abu Dhabi Airports Company)

Aviation industry groups in the U.S. and Europe oppose a U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) plan to establish a customs pre-clearance facility at Abu Dhabi International Airport that would spare passengers the inconvenience of waiting at a customs checkpoint upon arrival in the U.S. A bipartisan group of U.S. lawmakers also questions the plan and has requested more information from the DHS.

In a letter sent earlier this month, seven U.S. industry groups asked DHS Secretary Janet Napolitano to forgo an agreement that would enlist the UAE government to fund the facility, saying that it would “set a dangerous and unauthorized precedent” for the department to shift its sources of funding to include foreign governments. Although they do not mention it by name, the organizations also contend that customs pre-clearance would help Etihad Airways, Abu Dhabi’s government-owned carrier, attracting passengers by facilitating their travel to the U.S. through its home airport."

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