Originally Posted by
YEG USER
AFAIK how far an airport is from the US border really does not have anything to do with whether there will be a US pre-clearance or not, it is likely more to do with the total number of transborder pax flying through the airport (to make it worthwhile for the USA to man a facility). Regina is further south than Calgary and it does not have those facilities.
Deciding factors in location of US CBP Preclearance include:
- Airlines willing to pay for the service.
- Longterm (e.g. 2 year) commitment from airlines or history of airlines providing a minimum level of service to USA destinations. There is a minimum passenger count for nonstop travel to USA.
- Aiports willing to provide space for facilities and personnel (IIRC there is a requirement for officers to haver reserved parking close to their place of employment).
- Minimal amount of seasonal swings in traffic (e.g. winter and summer schedule cannot be materially different.
Above all the airport must be able to handle enough USA bound traffic to make it worth while for a minimum staff complement to be occupied per day.