Aer Lingus and CBP

The refusal of Aer Lingus to use the US Customs and Border Protection facility for full clearance of US bound flights was the subject of a recent question in Dail Eireann (Parliamant) by Fine Gael TD for Clare and Deputy Spokesperson on Foreign Affairs, Pat Breen. 
In response to the question, Minister for Transport Noel Dempsey, TD, said given the very significant investment in the Shannon facility he hoped that as many airlines as possible would avail of the service. The Minister said that he "understood that Aer Lingus would face severe logistical difficulties in US airports in a situation where their ex-Shannon flights would be pre cleared and their ex-Dublin flights would not. Pre clearance will not be available at Dublin Airport  until Terminal Two is operational in 2010. Accordingly I understand that the airline has taken a decision to postpone using pre clearance for their US bound flights until the service is available in both Dublin and Shannon." The Minister added that the responsibility for marketing the USCBP service at Shannon rests with the Shannon Airport Authority. 
The fact that duty free sales are prohibited on pre-cleared aircraft will no doubt have played a role in the Aer Lingus decision.