Aruba Eyes Pre-Clearance Arrangements With the Netherlands

Above: Aruba

By the Caribbean Journal staff

Aruba is looking to establish pre-clearance arrangements with the Netherlands that would allow travelers to the Netherlands to be cleared by customs and immigration officials at Aruba’s airport.

Aruba already has such an arrangement with the United States.

A final report on the proposal was completed and presented to Secretary of State Fred Teeven on Wednesday.

In a statement from the government of the Netherlands, Teeven said he saw the report as “an important first step towards the desired pre-clearance facility for passengers traveling from Aruba to Europe.”

In an interview earlier this year, Bonaire Tourism Director Ethsel Pieternella said Bonaire, too, was exploring the possibility of setting up pre-clearance with the Netherlands.

A working group has already recommended the launch of a pilot project called “Happy Flow,” which is being implemented in part at Amsterdam’s Schiphol airport.

Under Happy Flow, holders of an EU passport put their travel documents on a scanner and are approved in seconds.

Aruba Prime Minister Mike Eman said the project would “lay a solid foundation for our kingdom.”