The Tribune

By DENISE MAYCOCK

Tribune Freeport Reporter

dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

THE US pre-clearance service reopened on Thursday morning at the Grand Bahama International Airport nearly four weeks after the passage of Hurricane Matthew.

The resumption of the pre-clearance in Freeport means that those travelling by air to the United States can clear immigration in Grand Bahama again, instead of flying into New Providence.

Pre-clearance service was suspended following the category 4 storm last month and United States Embassy Chargé d’Affaires Lisa Johnson had said that when living conditions on the island improved in the aftermath the services of the United States Customs and Border Protection would resume.

When services were suspended, there were fears that the service would be discontinued, but Ms Johnson assured that there was no intention to stop pre-clearance in Freeport, and said they intend to expand in Freeport.

The travel advisory and warning issued on October 19 warning US citizens of conditions in the Bahamas post-Matthew has also been lifted. The airport’s operating hours of sunrise to sunset remains in effect until further notice.