Major airlines, airports, and travelers, both domestic and international, may encounter increased expenses if pre-clearance services are discontinued in Canada, according to an aviation specialist.
Pete Hoekstra, the U.S. ambassador to Canada, mentioned that pre-clearance facilities in Canadian airports are experiencing a decline in usage due to reduced travel from Canada to the U.S. this year. He suggested that the U.S. might need to reconsider providing the service as it may no longer be financially viable.
Pre-clearance allows passengers to go through U.S. customs in Canada before their flight, enabling them to avoid long queues at busy U.S. airports. Initially introduced in Toronto in 1952 to make U.S. travel more appealing to Canadians, pre-clearance is now available at various Canadian airports.
The U.S. Customs and Border Protection operates 15 pre-clearance locations in six countries, including Canada, Ireland, and the United Arab Emirates. In 2024, they pre-cleared over 22 million travelers, accounting for nearly 16% of all air passengers entering the U.S.
Both Air Canada and WestJet have actively promoted flights to the U.S. from Canada, leveraging the convenience of pre-clearance. This benefit not only attracts Canadian travelers but also appeals to American passengers returning home from international destinations like London or Tokyo.
The financial burden of pre-clearance primarily falls on the U.S., covering staffing costs despite occupying significant space in Canadian airports. Although the exact economic gains for the U.S. are challenging to quantify, the overall tourism benefits are evident.
The potential removal of pre-clearance could impact the finances of busy airports like Toronto, Vancouver, and Montreal more heavily than smaller airports such as Edmonton, Halifax, and Winnipeg. While discontinuing pre-clearance could free up valuable airport real estate, it may lead to revenue losses due to decreased U.S. travel.
Overall, the future of pre-clearance services in Canadian airports remains uncertain, with implications for both travelers and the aviation industry.