Abu Dhabi International welcomes the millionth passenger to airport's US preclearance facility

To celebrate this milestone Abu Dhabi Airports, CBP and Etihad Airways presented Elizabeth Dail with 250,000 Etihad Guest Miles and an upgrade to First Class for her US bound flight. The prize will enable her to use the miles to book a business class return flight to the cities Etihad Airways flies to in the US. 

Ahmad Al Haddabi, chief operations officer at Abu Dhabi Airports, said: “We are proud to be one of the few airports around the world, and the only one in the Middle East and Africa to host this facility. The fact that today, just over 2 years since opening in late January 2014, one million passengers have already used our US preclearance services, shows that it is a valuable facility offered by Abu Dhabi Airports and our partner Etihad Airways, and one that is making AUH the airport of choice for passengers traveling to the US.” 

In addition to reducing the processing time upon arrival in the US, the preclearance facility also brings a number of other key benefits, including the introduction of the most advanced baggage screening technology which meets United States security standards, meaning air travellers connecting onto US domestic flights can now have their baggage checked through from Abu Dhabi to their final destination. 

Elizabeth Dail said: “It was very exciting to be the one millionth passenger to have used the facility at Abu Dhabi. Being able to clear immigration, security and customs checks in Abu Dhabi makes the travel process very efficient and hassle free. At the end of a long flight and upon arrival to the Unites States, it is wonderful to be able to leave the airport quickly and not have to wait in long queues.”