The voice of Canada’s airports.
Thursday, July 5, 2007 -
Airports group calls on Canadian and U.S. leaders to
resolve baggage re-screening that increases connection times for trans-border
air travellers
OTTAWA (July 5, 2007) – The Canadian
Airports Council today called on the Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper and
U.S. President George Bush to resolve a critical issue involving Canadian
baggage connecting through U.S. airports when they meet at the August leadership
summit to discuss matters related to the Security and Prosperity
Partnership.The re-screening of
Canadian bags connecting through U.S.
airports, in place since 9/11, adds to the minimum connecting times for
trans-border travellers connecting in the U.S.
Canada moved quickly to increase security screening of baggage from
Canadian airports after the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, establishing
the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority and implementing new screening
standards in line with those introduced in the U.S. and other parts of the
world.Today Canada provides 100 per cent
screening of hold baggage.Six years
after 9/11, the U.S.
does not recognise Canadian baggage screening standards and requires the
re-screening bags coming from Canadian airports before allowing them onto
connecting flights.
“The North America Security and Prosperity
Partnership is about North America’s partners coordinating
their security efforts to ensure the integrity of the security of our
continent,” said CAC President and CEO Jim Facette.“The SPP can only be a success if the
partners are willing to accept they cannot do everything alone, but rather must
trust that we have a shared interest and the same objective:The safety and security of our people.”
The CAC contends that the re-screening of
Canada-originating bags in the U.S. needlessly uses up valuable security
resources through screening duplication and adds to the minimum connecting
times for travellers originating in Canada and connecting through the U.S. Recognition
of Canadian standards would save U.S. officials money.In the case of flight delays, baggage
re-screening also can lead to an increase in bags missing connecting flights,
meaning delays in travellers being rejoined with their belongings.
“Canada
and the U.S.
have a long shared history of working together for the mutual benefit of both
our nations’ security,” said Mr. Facette.“It is time that our respective leaders acknowledge the progress that
has been made and move forward in a more coordinated manner if we are to
improve the safe flow of goods and people on our busy border.”
About
the Canadian Airports Council
The Canadian Airports Council (CAC) is the voice for Canada’s airports.Its 44 members represent more than 150 airports, including all of the National Airports System (NAS) airports and most significant municipal airports in every province and territory. Together, CAC members handle virtually all of the nation’s air cargo and international passenger traffic and 95% of domestic passenger traffic.They create well in excess of $30 billion in economic activity in the communities they serve.And more than 150,000 jobs are directly associated with CAC member airports, generating a payroll of more than $8 billion annually.
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