A widely-shared 6 December 2025 blog post on aviation site ‘Live and Let’s Fly’ labels the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) pre-clearance facility at Dublin Airport an “odd half-measure”, arguing that passengers effectively pass through two security checks and that Global Entry renders the benefit marginal. The commentary triggered hundreds of comments from frequent flyers and prompted Irish travel-trade bodies to defend the system.
DAA, Dublin Airport’s operator, reiterated that pre-clearance allows arriving passengers to land as domestic flights in the United States, slashing minimum connection times and avoiding peak queues in U.S. immigration halls. The airport says 1.9 million travellers used the facility in the first ten months of 2025 and that new screening equipment installed in October has eliminated the need for a second security check for most origin passengers.
![Opinion piece on U.S. pre-clearance in Dublin sparks debate on efficiency of immigration checks]()
For corporate travel managers, the debate is more than academic: reduced connection risk is a key selling point when scheduling tight transatlantic itineraries or high-value cargo requiring same-day delivery. However, the blog highlights lingering pain-points for connecting passengers originating outside Ireland who must clear Schengen exit, Irish security and U.S. security in one journey.
The timing is sensitive; CBP and the Department of Justice are finalising a contract to expand eGates at pre-clearance by mid-2026, and Aer Lingus plans to launch two new U.S. routes from Dublin next summer. Industry observers say clear communication about process improvements will be vital to maintain traveller confidence and Ireland’s competitive edge versus European hubs such as Heathrow and Amsterdam, both of which are lobbying for their own pre-clearance sites.
While the blog is opinion rather than government policy, its viral reach shows how traveller sentiment can shape route-planning decisions. Mobility managers are advised to monitor client feedback and update traveller briefing notes to reflect the latest screening protocols.
DAA, Dublin Airport’s operator, reiterated that pre-clearance allows arriving passengers to land as domestic flights in the United States, slashing minimum connection times and avoiding peak queues in U.S. immigration halls. The airport says 1.9 million travellers used the facility in the first ten months of 2025 and that new screening equipment installed in October has eliminated the need for a second security check for most origin passengers.
For corporate travel managers, the debate is more than academic: reduced connection risk is a key selling point when scheduling tight transatlantic itineraries or high-value cargo requiring same-day delivery. However, the blog highlights lingering pain-points for connecting passengers originating outside Ireland who must clear Schengen exit, Irish security and U.S. security in one journey.
The timing is sensitive; CBP and the Department of Justice are finalising a contract to expand eGates at pre-clearance by mid-2026, and Aer Lingus plans to launch two new U.S. routes from Dublin next summer. Industry observers say clear communication about process improvements will be vital to maintain traveller confidence and Ireland’s competitive edge versus European hubs such as Heathrow and Amsterdam, both of which are lobbying for their own pre-clearance sites.
While the blog is opinion rather than government policy, its viral reach shows how traveller sentiment can shape route-planning decisions. Mobility managers are advised to monitor client feedback and update traveller briefing notes to reflect the latest screening protocols.
