US ‘likely to introduce passenger pre-clearance at Manchester’
Pre-clearance of British travellers flying to the US is likely to be introduced at Manchester Airport before being rolled out to Heathrow, TravelMole understands.
While the UK and the US governments have not confirmed a timeframe for the introduction, sources attending the IPW conference in Anaheim this week told TravelMole it would be introduced first at Manchester.
Such a move would allow passengers to clear all US customs before boarding their flight to reduce queues when they land in the US.
This week, the chief executive of the US Travel Association Roger Dow called the delays at US airports for arriving passengers ‘unacceptable’ and admitted they could put off international travellers.
He said more customs staff were being trained following a government shut down a few months ago, which restricted recruitment.
He also said conversations regarding pre-clearance of passengers were ongoing with the UK government.
Pre-clearance of passengers is only available at the moment at two European airports, both in Ireland. Earlier this year Dublin and Shannon agreed a deal with the Irish and US governments to expand their pre-clearance facilities, which were used by 1.7 million passengers in 2017.
By 2020, the US is aiming to increase by 30% the number of passengers that are pre-cleared.
Linsey McNeill
Editor Linsey McNeill has been writing about travel for more than three decades. Bylines include The Times, Telegraph, Observer, Guardian and Which? plus the South China Morning Post. She also shares insider tips on thetraveljournalist.co.uk
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
France prepares for a massive strike across all transports on September 18
Turkish tourism stalls due to soaring prices for accommodation and food
CCS Insight: eSIMs ready to take the travel world by storm
Germany new European Entry/Exit System limited to a single airport on October 12, 2025
Airlines suspend Madagascar services following unrest and army revolt