Canadian Airports Applaud Recognition of Baggage Screening Achievement, Elimination of Security Questions
Wednesday, March 29, 2006
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Canadian Airports Applaud Recognition of Baggage Screening Achievement, Elimination of Security Questions
OTTAWA – The Canadian Airports Council (CAC) today applauded the Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities’ recognition that the Canadian air transport industry has exceeded international requirements by screening all checked baggage on all international flights and most domestic flights.
As part of the Minister’s statements, which came at the Canadian Aviation Security Conference (CASC) in Ottawa, airlines no longer will be required to ask the three security questions about baggage currently required for all passengers with checked baggage departing Canadian airports.
“The Transport Minister’s statements acknowledge the significant work that Canadian airports, airlines and the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority have jointly undertaken to screen checked passenger baggage,” said CAC President and CEO Jim Facette.
The work was a voluntary effort by the Canadian aviation industry to meet the Jan. 1, 2006 guideline by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO).
“Success in this endeavour is a testament to the ability of Canadian aviation security stakeholders to work together to achieve major milestones in creating a safe and secure environment for Canadian air travellers,” said Mr. Facette.
Earlier in the day, CAC Chairman Jim Cherry addressed the need for Canada’s air transport security stakeholders to work together to ensure a secure environment for Canadian air travellers while also providing for a pleasant travel experience.
“The CAC’s vision is ‘Working Together, Moving Forward.’ That is the vision for Canada’s airports, but it also can be a vision for working with our partners in aviation security…” said Mr. Cherry in his speech. “By working in partnership, employing the latest technologies available, we can create positive travelling experience for the passenger that is safe, secure and efficient for all concerned.”
Required since the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001 and considered an irritant for passengers, the three security question rule required airlines to ask each passenger with checked baggage if they packed their own bags, if they knew the contents, and if their bag had been left unattended.
In addition to removing an irritant for passengers, elimination of the three security questions provides Canadian airports with more flexibility in the configuration of check-in halls and provides for increased use of technology, such as common-use check-in kiosks.
The matter of the three security questions was one of nine priority issues agreed to by the Aviation Security Executive Working Group – a Transport Canada-chaired group that united the CAC, the Air Transport Association of Canada and the Canadian Air Transportation Security Administration (CATSA) with the goal of alleviating air security “irritants.”
“We have proven we can work together…The group proved that stakeholders in aviation security can work together to alleviate irritants in the system,” said Mr. Cherry of the Aviation Security Executive Working Group in his speech. “The work of this group should continue. It is a great model of how we can work together in the future.”
The Minister’s statements came at the Canadian Aviation Security Conference, being held this week in Ottawa with the CAC as a partner organization.
About the Canadian Airports Council
The Canadian Airports Council (CAC) is the voice for Canada’s airports. Its 45 members encompass 180 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.
