Abu Dhabi Airports Unveils New U.S. Customs And Border Protection Facility At Zayed International Airport

Abu Dhabi Airports has launched a new U.S. Customs and Border Protection (U.S. CBP) preclearance facility at Zayed International Airport. This event was attended by notable figures including Elena Sorlini, Managing Director and CEO of Abu Dhabi Airports, Martina Strong, U.S. Ambassador to the UAE, Antonoaldo Neves, CEO of Etihad Airways, and Judson Murdock, CBP Deputy Executive Assistant Commissioner.

The facility is unique in the Middle East and Asia, highlighting Abu Dhabi's role as a major travel hub. It allows Etihad Airways flights to the United States to complete U.S. immigration procedures in Abu Dhabi. This means passengers arrive in the U.S. as domestic travelers, bypassing long queues and saving time.

Martina Strong, the U.S. Ambassador to the UAE, remarked on the significance of this development: "Today we are celebrating the inauguration of the Abu Dhabi preclearance facility at Zayed International Airport. This is another milestone in our strategic partnership and our expanding people-to-people ties. Travelers to the United States can now expedite their journey in this beautiful state-of-art facility. We look forward to welcoming many more visitors to the United States and continuing to strengthen our friendship with the UAE."

Etihad Airways operates 35 weekly flights to four U.S. cities: Boston, Chicago, New York, and Washington DC. All these flights now benefit from pre-clearance in Abu Dhabi before departure. This advancement aligns with Abu Dhabi Airports' vision of becoming a leading global aviation hub.

Antonoaldo Neves expressed pride in offering an exceptional experience for travelers flying from regions like the Middle East and Asia to the United States: "We are incredibly proud to offer our guests an unparalleled experience when flying to the United States from the Middle East, Europe, Indian subcontinent and Asia. With all Etihad flights now pre-clearing in Abu Dhabi, our guests can skip the queues on arrival and, if connecting onwards within the US, they can do this seamlessly and with minimal connection times with our partner airlines."

The airport also boasts impressive Business and First-class lounges across three floors featuring amenities such as a live-cooking restaurant by Etihad, sleeping rooms, shower facilities, and more. A new lounge will open in December 2024 within the pre-clearance area for premium passengers traveling to the U.S.

Global Connectivity Boost

Judson Murdock highlighted how this facility enhances connectivity between regions: "U.S. CBP Preclearance’s presence in Zayed International Airport connects the Middle East, Africa, Asia, to the United States. This increased connectivity promotes tourism, cultural exchange, and international business relations." The collaboration aims not only at benefiting both nations but also fostering peace globally.

Elena Sorlini commented on this achievement: "We are proud of the collaborative efforts that have brought this state-of-the-art preclearance facility to fruition." She noted that it marks another step towards exceeding passenger expectations after a successful first year for Zayed International Airport.

This strategic relationship between Abu Dhabi Airports and U.S. CBP underscores their commitment to enhancing safety while facilitating lawful trade and travel worldwide.

With inputs from WAM