U.S. envoy Pete Hoekstra questions Canada’s airport pre-clearance as travel drops, raising concerns for airlines, tourism, and travellers.
U.S. envoy signals review of Canada airport pre-clearance
Key voice at Banff forum
Pete Hoekstra, the U.S. ambassador to Canada, told business leaders Thursday that Washington may need to reconsider its airport pre-clearance program. His comments came during the Global Business Forum in Banff, Alta., where he was pressed by Canadian officials on the value of the system.
What pre-clearance means
Since 1952, U.S. customs officers have operated in Canadian airports, letting travellers clear entry before boarding flights. The arrangement, funded by Washington, allows passengers to arrive in the U.S. as domestic travellers and bypass lengthy international customs lines.
Timing of remarks
Hoekstra’s remarks followed a Statistics Canada report showing a 25.4 per cent year-over-year drop in Canadians returning by air from the U.S. in August. He suggested declining use may make the system financially unsustainable for the U.S. government.
Locations in Canada
Currently, pre-clearance operates in eight Canadian airports: Calgary, Edmonton, Halifax, Montreal, Ottawa, Toronto, Vancouver and Winnipeg. These hubs have marketed the service as a competitive advantage, particularly for international passengers connecting through Canada.
Why the issue matters
Hoekstra stressed the cost of running pre-clearance amid falling traffic. “If you have a business segment that is down 20 to 25 per cent, you take a look at the why,” he said. Canadian moderator Colin Robertson countered that eliminating the program would discourage tourism and undercut airlines on both sides of the border.
How it could affect travellers
Aviation expert John Gradek of McGill University warned that scaling back pre-clearance would add hours to passengers’ journeys and make Canadian airports less appealing for transatlantic connections. He said the change could cut into the competitiveness of Canadian carriers and foreshadow tighter U.S. travel measures ahead.
