Question : US Pre-Clearance Travel Facility at Airports

(a) whether the Air India has sought the US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) facility at major airports of the country including Delhi and Mumbai airports so as to enable its fliers land in the United States as domestic passengers;

(b) if so, the details and the present status thereof along with the time by which a final decision is likely to be taken in this regard; and

(c) whether Air India has felt the need for such set-up as certain airports across the globe have similar facility and if so, the details thereof?

Minister of State in the Ministry of CIVIL AVIATION

(Dr Mahesh Sharma)

(a) to (c): Yes, Madam. Air India had written to the Ministry to extend pre-clearance facility to its passengers in order to ease their travel to
USA. This facility is available in many countries and, as per last information, has also been established in Abu Dhabi. A standing Inter-
Ministerial Group (IMG) was constituted under the Chairmanship of Secretary, Ministry of Civil Aviation for this purpose and views of
Ministry of External Affairs obtained in the matter. However, the implications of such a measure/facility have been found to be far reaching
and therefore put in ''non-starter category''

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