Halifax airport - U.S. preclearance yet?

[Northstar]

Well, I've been all over the Halifax Airport site and various US/Canada gov't sites, trying to find out if the customs and immigration pre-clearance centre for the US is functioning yet and if it's open for all hours/flights leaving from Halifax. No luck finding info.

In December, flying out at 6:30 am, we had to clear on arrival in Newark. At the airline checkin, I asked about the preclearance and got a very vague answer that seemed to suggest maybe it was already operating, but not for 6:30 am flights... okay, I wasn't functioning at full power either at that hour so maybe it was me not understanding them.

So... I know somebody here knows! IS THERE PRECLEARANCE AT YHZ?

Thanks!

 

[maddiel]

I did a google news search and got a link to a Herald article that is no longer there:

Halifax unites with Washington
ChronicleHerald.ca, Canada - 16 Mar 2006
... US pre-clearance, which will allow passengers to clear US Customs before leaving Nova Scotia, will be operational at the Halifax airport in October. ...

That jives with what I remember - it seems to me about a year ago they said it would be in place in 18 months. My husband flies to the US fairly often and I'm pretty sure we would have made note of an announcement that it was in place.

M.

 

[Northstar]

Thanks, Maddie. Wish they'd just put an info link from the airport website.

The weird thing is, when I try to get this info from the airlines or airport, they don't seem to understand why I would want to know this. But I want to arrive at the airport much EARLIER for my flight once it's in place, and I can figure on SHORTER CONNECTIONS in whichever US airport we fly through. Continental tried to convince me 35 minutes was enough time to change in Newark when we flew Halifax - Newark - Orlando in December! Duh, not likely if you have to wait for baggage, go through C&I, trek through terminal to domestic departures, go through security again.... we barely made it with an hour and 20 minute connection.

 

[mbb]

We had posted it here on the Boards when the announcement was made ..and the time frame that Maddie said would be correct

I can't get search to work this am, though
Hopefully, we'll hear soon!!

 

[blairjen]

Work is being done on the north end of the terminal for US preclearance. It will adjacent to the already existing Canadian customs area for incoming traffic. October is the scheduled date and according to airport authorities it shouldn't be delayed. They have already revamped the south end and moved all of commuter (Jazz) flights down there.

 

[Bluenoser]

MY DH is working at the airport right now on the construction and the anticipated date of US Customs is now sometime in October 2006.

 

[coastgirl]

I talked to AC yesterday to clarify, and they told me I'd clear in Toronto. (YHZ-YYZ-MCO routing.) It'd be wonderful to clear here, and then not have to worry about the bags again.

 

[Northstar]

Oh, I hear you, Coastgirl! Man I hate going through in the middle of the trip, BOTH ways, when you clear in Toronto! It's the baggage thing that kills. Can't wait to check my bags through and not see them till I get off the last flight.