Passengers flying from Bristol to the US are being given the option to fast-track their journey via Dublin.
Pre-clearance at Dublin airport by US Customs and Border staff means travellers from the southwest airport will be able to avoid delays of up to two hours at security checks on entry to America.
The service is being introduced as a result of a link by Aer Lingus Regional from Bristol to Dublin, which will connect to Aer Lingus’s new four-times-a-week Dublin to Washington-Dulles service from May 1 next year.
The Irish carrier will also operate daily flights from Dublin to San Francisco from next summer and four weekly flights from Dublin to Orlando.
Simon Fagan, chief commercial officer at Stobart Air, which operates the Aer Lingus Regional service, said: “This service is designed to save passengers from Bristol time on their transatlantic travel.
“Now local business and leisure passengers can travel to the American capital of Washington with greater speed and ease.”
Bristol airport aviation director, Shaun Browne, added: “Washington is mentioned time and time again by passengers as a required destination to be added to the Bristol airport route network.
“This is great news, particularly for defence-related industries in the region and the benefits of US pre-clearance via the Dublin transatlantic hub, saving passengers time on arrival in America.”