Not so long ago in January 2014, the US Customs & Border Patrol Pre-clearance facility at Abu Dhabi was established. Now, Etihad put up a new short and sweet video on their website to show how it works (no wonders here).
The details are however more interesting. Etihad now operates multiple flights to the USA. They’ve in fact engaged Jet Airways’ Boeing 777-300ERs to operate one of the flights (EY103) between Abu Dhabi and New York JFK as well. As it turns out, Etihad would offer the US Pre-clearance facility only on the following flights, which are operated on its own metal:
Etihad Airways operates flights to three destinations in the U.S. – New York (EY101 only), Chicago (EY151) Washington (EY131) and Los Angeles* ( EY171). Guests flying to above destinations in the U.S. will use the CBP facility at Abu Dhabi Airport.
Please note: This service is not available for the Etihad Airways flight number EY103 to New York (JFK).
* Los Angeles flights from 1 June 2014.
I first thought that this could be because the flights were from different terminals, but it turns out the EY103 flight is operated from Terminal 3 at Abu Dhabi Airport as well. So, why the step-treatment, I don’t understand.
Related Posts:
- Abu Dhabi to get US Customs pre-clearance
- Jet Airways on Mumbai–Paris from May 14, 2014 & New York from May 1, 2014
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Yes, it’s definitely the timing that doesn’t allow EY 103 to have preclearance. Plus the rest of the US departures are all at 10am from AUH.
Same reason in DUB that some of the later flights don’t get preclearance.
its probably the timing – at 2. AM in the morning they may not want to staff CBP officers. Also maybe because its a Jet Airways operated flight?