Numerous travel websites are reporting that Belgium's Finance Minister Alexander De Croo announced that an agreement was signed to give Brussels airport U.S. Preclearance. No word on when this will start due to the coronovirus.
It will be the third airport in Europe to have Pre-clearance after Dublin and Shannon in Ireland.
It has been talked about for a while but until I see an official confirmation I will regard it as rumours.
The CBP web site does say that the Pre Clearance program is being expanded this year. Unfortunately, it does not give any hints as to where it is expanding. With the virus, I wouldn't be surprised if nothing changes at least for the rest of this year.
I experienced pre clearance when returning from Ireland. It saved me about an hour off processing at the airport in the US and didn't really add much to the time in Ireland. Not sure about the cost differences having the CBP agents posted out of the country vs. in the US. It would seem to cost more.
Thanks
I have occasionally flown in and out of Brussels just because I can get a good frequent-flier deal. And this will certainly be something I will consider when making that decision.
