Who We Are
The Canadian Air Transport Security Authority is a Crown corporation responsible for securing specific elements of the air transportation system – from passenger and baggage screening to screening airport workers.
Established on April 1, 2002, CATSA is fully funded by parliamentary appropriations and is accountable to Parliament through the Minister of Transport.
CATSA is governed by a Board of Directors with its operations directed by a Senior Management Team.
What We Do
CATSA is mandated with protecting the public through effective and efficient screening of air travellers and their baggage. Our goal is to provide a professional, effective and consistent level of security service across the country, at or above the standards set by Transport Canada.
Mandate
CATSA is an agent Crown corporation accountable to Parliament through the Minister of Transport. CATSA delivers the mandate of security screening at 89 designated airports across the country through a third-party screening contractor model. Playing a pivotal role in Canada’s aviation system, CATSA is responsible for the delivery of the following four mandated activities:
Pre-board screening (PBS)
The screening of all passengers and their carry-on baggage and belongings prior to their entry to the secure area of an air terminal building.
Hold baggage screening (HBS)
The screening of all passengers’ checked (“hold”) baggage for prohibited items such as explosives, prior to being loaded onto an aircraft.
Non-passenger screening (NPS)
The screening of non-passengers such as flight personnel, ground crew and service providers, and their belongings (including vehicles and their contents) entering restricted areas at the highest risk airports.
Restricted area identity card (RAIC)
The management of the system that uses iris and fingerprint biometric identifiers to allow authorized non-passengers access to the restricted areas of airports. The final authority that determines access to the restricted areas of an airport is the airport authority.
Mission
CATSA protects the travelling public by providing the highest level of aviation security screening.
Vision
The travelling public and our partners benefit from the most secure aviation security screening service and the best client experience through our leadership.
Core Values
Integrity
We are driven by a strong conviction in our mandate and mission. We are stewards of public funds, and we act ethically and transparently to foster accountability and public trust.
Innovation
We are steadfast in our commitment to implementing forward-thinking, creative solutions to evolving and emerging challenges.
Collaboration
We believe that collaboration is fundamental within the organization, across the aviation industry, and with our partners. We leverage our collective strengths and experience for the benefit of all.
Inclusivity
In all aspects of our business, respect and inclusivity are central to our approach. We are leaders in the implementation of meaningful actions, dedicated to creating a barrier-free experience for our clients, screening officers, and workforce.