Skift Take

Will surely be a benefit to travelers between the two countries, but could also be perceived as America's obsession with security infringing upon somewhat more-open UK machinery as it crosses borders.

UK Government officials have given their backing to US-security checks at UK airports.

As part of a new aviation policy, published last week, the UK Department for Transport said such a move would offer “significant benefits” for transatlantic passengers…Outside of the EU, the US remains the single most popular market for air services from the UK, with about 17 million passengers flying between the two countries.

America would have the final say on whether US security checkpoints could be brought in at UK airports.

From the paper:

Outside of the EU, the US remains the single most popular market for air services from the UK, with some 17 million terminal passengers at a number of UK airports lying to and from the US.44 The US authorities provide immigration, customs and agricultural pre-clearance facilities at 15 airports outside the US,45 including at Dublin and Shannon Airports in Ireland. These facilities, operated by US Customs and Border Protection (CBP), allow passengers travelling to the US to clear US arrival checks before departure, allowing for easier and quicker connections and arrivals in the US.

The Government believes that introducing US pre-clearance at the UK airports could offer signiicant passenger benefits and improve the overall end-to-end journey experience for passengers lying from the UK to the US, whilst at the same time maintaining passenger security and a secure border, which are shared US and UK priorities. The decision on whether to operate such facilities at airports overseas ultimately rests with the US authorities.

Accordingly, the Government will consider, with the US authorities and interested stakeholders in the UK, the feasibility of such facilities being made available in the UK, including the practical and legal issues that would need to be addressed.

smartphone

The Daily Newsletter

Our daily coverage of the global travel industry. Written by editors and analysts from across Skift’s brands.

Have a confidential tip for Skift? Get in touch

Tags: security, uk, usa

Up Next

Loading next stories