Security is a shared responsibility in Canada’s aviation industry. CATSA works with airlines, airport authorities, and its third-party screening contractors, with particular focus on improving the traveller journey. As well, the organization engages with a number of Government of Canada departments and agencies, most notably its regulator Transport Canada, the Canadian Transportation Agency, the Canada Border Services Agency, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, and the Canadian Security Intelligence Service.
CATSA engages with several international partners to share trial results, lessons learned, and best practices to support continuous improvement. These partners include, but are not limited to: the United States Transportation Security Administration; the International Civil Aviation Organization; the European Civil Aviation Conference; other foreign airport screening agencies; and the International Air Transport Association. Engaging domestic and international partners has provided another opportunity for CATSA to better understand and adapt to the dynamic nature of the aviation ecosystem. This enhanced understanding of the ongoing changes is further reflected in the regular updates to CATSA’s Standard Operating Procedures, including the training program for screening officers.
To further strengthen engagement with the Government of Canada, meetings have regularly occurred between CATSA senior management and Transport Canada senior officials to discuss key topics pertaining to regulatory and operational matters. With regards to supporting the aviation industry, CATSA made concerted efforts to strengthen engagement with partners throughout the year. CATSA’s senior management contributed to a multitude of industry and Transport Canada-led efforts to support the aviation industry, including the Aviation Recovery Operations Committee. Throughout 2023/24, CATSA officials engaged airport authorities on the procurement, planning and implementation of new screening equipment, including: the introduction of CT X-rays at pre-board screening; the ongoing full body scanner lifecycle management; the ongoing deployment of the UV-C sanitization system for enhanced cleaning of bins and the successful deployment of the gender-neutral algorithm for full body scanners.
Impact of International Standards on CATSA Operations
In 2020, the International Civil Aviation Organization adopted an amended screening standard for non-passengers. CATSA conducted trials of 100% non-passenger screening procedures in collaboration with Transport Canada to assess feasibility, effectiveness, and other operational considerations. The findings from the trial were shared with Transport Canada to inform policy decisions. By January 2025, CATSA will implement changes to non-passenger screening in accordance with amendments to Transport Canada’s non-passenger screening regulations.
Passenger Testimonial
Charlottetown Airport
We had a good experience for check in and security at the Prince Edward Island airport! Everyone was very friendly and helpful, the whole process was smooth.
Ongoing Harmonization with Key International Partners
As part of the Beyond the Border Action Plan, Canada and the United States signed a Memorandum of Understanding to achieve harmonized screening procedures at airports with United States Customs and Border Protection Preclearance. Advancing harmonization will ensure that both countries’ security screening operations provide a comparable level of security. Beyond ongoing efforts to harmonize screening practices with the United States, CATSA supports federal efforts to strengthen the security effectiveness and ensure a positive passenger experience.
One such federal initiative is the Air Travel Right-Touch Solution. Throughout 2023/24, CATSA participated in Transport Canada-led meetings with multiple industry partners to develop a plan for proof of concept trials using facial recognition at Vancouver International Airport and Toronto-Pearson International Airport.
Completed in early 2024, Transport Canada’s International Benchmarking exercise researched ways in which security screening at Canadian airports are comparable to other jurisdictions, with a view to improve the movement of passengers through screening checkpoints. Transport Canada collaborated with London Heathrow International Airport and the Amsterdam Airport Schiphol in order to share performance metrics. The results from the exercise indicated that CATSA is highly efficient, given the physical space within which it operates.