Abu Dhabi Airport Launches Middle East’s First U.S. Customs Preclearance Facility

Abu Dhabi Airports has officially unveiled a new U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) preclearance facility at Zayed International Airport (AUH), establishing the only such facility in the Middle East and Asia. The facility, which began operations on October 9, 2024, has already processed approximately 43,000 passengers, marking a significant advancement in international travel processing for the region.

Building on Abu Dhabi’s existing biometric initiatives, the state-of-the-art facility employs advanced biometric technology, including facial recognition and facial comparison capture devices, to streamline passenger processing. All Etihad Airways flights to the United States now use this facility, allowing travelers to complete U.S. immigration procedures in Abu Dhabi and arrive in the U.S. as domestic passengers, significantly reducing connection times and eliminating the need for additional screening upon arrival.

“Following a remarkable first year of operation for Zayed International Airport, this facility represents another significant step toward our vision of becoming a leading global aviation hub and exceeding passenger expectations,” said Elena Sorlini, Managing Director and CEO of Abu Dhabi Airports. This development follows the airport’s broader implementation of biometric Smart Travel systems throughout its terminals.

U.S. Ambassador to the UAE Martina Strong noted the facility’s strategic importance: “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.”

Starting December 2024, Etihad Airways will open a dedicated lounge within the preclearance facility for premium passengers traveling to the U.S. The facility also includes a Global Entry partnership with the UAE, enabling pre-approved UAE citizens expedited entry into the United States. The partnership builds on the UAE’s broader investment in biometric technologies for travel and security across multiple sectors.

Source: Gulf News

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November 18, 2024 – by Ji-seo Kim

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