Cardiff Airport and Aer Lingus Regional, operated by Aer Arann, has announced detail of a service which allows Welsh passengers to fast track their journey to the US through Dublin Airport.

Passengers flying with Aer Lingus Regional from Cardiff can now connect through Dublin to complete pre-clearance and customs, ahead of their onward journey to the US.

Completing preclearance at Dublin Airport – operated and staffed by US Customs and Border staff – means that on arrival in the US, Welsh passengers will be treated similarly to domestic passengers and avoid delays often associated with US security.

It is estimated that this service will save passengers up to two hours on arrival at US destinations including New York, and selected flights to Boston and Chicago.

Ireland is the only country in Europe to offer passport and customs preclearance to US destinations.

From July, Cardiff to Dublin flights will operate at the earlier time of 8.25am, to further facilitate business and transatlantic travel via Dublin.

Three additional weekly flights have also been added due to increased demand on this key route – Aer Lingus Regional carried over 60,000 passengers on this route in 2012 and aim to grow this by 30 per cent over the next year. The second of Aer Lingus Regional’s new ATR-600 aircraft will begin operating on the Cardiff Dublin route by the end of the summer.

The increased flight options allow for greater choice and flexibility for both business and leisure passengers connecting to the USA via Dublin.