Province Applauds Pre-Clearance Announcement

Customs pre-clearance means the skies figuratively opened today for the Halifax International Airport Authority. Today, Dec. 17, federal officials announced the approval of a pre-clearance facility at Halifax. Premier John Hamm and Mayor Peter Kelly liked what they saw.

"This is great news for Nova Scotia," said Premier Hamm. "With a U.S. Customs and Immigration pre-clearance facility at the airport, it makes it easier to do business and travel between the United States and Nova Scotia. This move will help our businesses, and help our major airport."

Premier Hamm congratulated the Halifax International Airport Authority for its successful lobbying effort, and he thanked provincial and municipal officials, as well as U.S. Ambassador Paul Cellucci and Consul General Leonard Hill, for their efforts in bringing the issue to the attention of the American and Canadian governments.

"A lot of hard work went into today's announcement, and I wanted to congratulate staff inside the Halifax International Airport Authority and inside government," said the premier.

"HRM has been a staunch supporter of efforts to obtain pre- clearance approval for the past five years and we extend our sincere congratulations to the Halifax International Airport Authority team and others for their tenacity and commitment," said Mayor Peter Kelly. "Pre-clearance into the United States now puts Halifax on a level playing field with other major airports in Canada and further enhances our competitive position in the air traveller marketplace."

Halifax International Airport is the last major Canadian airport to receive U.S. Customs and Immigration pre-clearance.

Pre-clearance allows passengers on trans-border flights to clear U.S. customs at Halifax airport, facilitating shorter beyond connections at American hub airports and service to U.S. airports without federal inspection facilities.