Controversial Abu Dhabi Customs Pre-Clearance Facility Opens

Etihad, based in Abu Dhabi, is the flag carrier of the U.A.E.

Amidst some degree of controversy, the new United States Customs and Border Protection Pre-Clearance facility began operating at Abu Dhabi International Airport. Abu Dhabi is the capital and second largest city in the United Arab Emirates.

The facility allows passengers destined for the United States to clear customs and immigration prior to boarding their flight.  The first flight to use the facility departed Friday.

The creation of the facility was opposed both by multiple U.S. airlines as well as labor unions representing employees of those airlines, in part because no U.S. airline currently operates a flight to or from Abu Dhabi.

The pre-clearance facility was funded through the omnibus spending bill earlier this month.  One congressman, Representative Patrick Meehan, has introduced legislation that would block funding and the measure has 142 bipartisan co-sponsors.

(Photo: Accura Media Group)