CATSA News Release

For Immediate Release

June 27, 2006

14 Million Passengers Expected to Fly During Canada’s Busy Summer Travel Season Leave toy guns, gun-replica belt buckles and grenade-shaped items at home to avoid delays

Attn Photo Editors: Hi-resolution Travel Tips brochure in pdf format available for publication.

Brochure [Adobe Acrobat Format]

OTTAWA – June 27, 2006 – The Canadian Air Transport Security Authority (CATSA) says it anticipates about 14 million air travellers will pass through Canadian airports during the peak summer travel period between the July 1st and Labour Day weekends. This represents an increase of almost 400,000 passengers over last year’s summer travel activity. On a yearly basis, total passenger growth is expected to rise by 4.7 per cent over the next 12 months.

“Screening officers are ready to provide the highest levels of security and customer service for travellers during this busy travel season,” explained Jacques Duchesneau, President and CEO of CATSA, “but we also want to remind travellers they can help avoid delays by using the travel tips available at www.catsa.gc.ca to make screening go more smoothly.”

Although the average wait time for passengers to complete the screening process is less than 8 minutes (92 per cent of the time) passengers can have a significant impact on reducing delays at screening checkpoints by being prepared for the screening process and knowing what they can and cannot pack in their luggage. 

Last year, screening officers intercepted more than 700,000 prohibited items, including more than 500,000 sharp objects like scissors and knives. The volume of items intercepted affects wait times and increases delays for passengers.

In an effort to help ensure air passengers have a positive travel experience, CATSA offers the following suggestions:

1. Avoid the rush, arrive early!

2. Pack right! Certain items are not permitted in your carry-on baggage, such as sharp and penetrating objects, like scissors and knives.

3. We recommend you leave water pistols and toy guns at home as well as certain accessories, such as gun-shaped belt buckles, and grenade-shaped lighters. 

4. Ensure that your medication is properly labeled and placed in your carry-on baggage.

5. Camping items such as gas containers for grills/stoves and strike-anywhere wooden matches are not allowed in carry-on or checked baggage.  Pocket knives, scissors and sharp fishing gear (such as fishing hooks) and other sharp objects must be packed in checked baggage.

6. Pack all camera film in your carry-on baggage. Camera film under 800 ASA/ISO will not be damaged by equipment at the pre-board screening checkpoint.

7. Sports equipment such as baseball bats and golf clubs must be packed in checked baggage. Golf clubs should be thoroughly cleaned to avoid additional screening.

8. Flammable items (like lighter fluid fireworks and most aerosols) are considered dangerous goods and are not permitted in carry-on or checked baggage.

9. It is recommended you pack all food products in your carry-on baggage.

10. Electronic devices such as portable computers may be screened using special screening equipment. This procedure will not harm your electronic devices.

11. Firearms, ammunition, and cartridges must be declared with the airline and then put in your checked baggage.

12. US bound travel: CATSA also wants to remind passengers travelling to the United States that lighters have been banned by the US authorities and cannot be brought in carry-on or checked luggage.

When in doubt, check the list of items that are not permitted in carry-on or checked baggage at www.catsa.gc.ca/english/travel_voyage/list.shtml, or call CATSA at 1-888-294-2202.

About CATSA:

The Canadian Air Transport Security Authority (CATSA) is Canada’s aviation security authority.  It is a Crown corporation that was created by the federal government in response to the events of September 11, 2001. The Authority reports to Parliament, through the Minister of Transport and is responsible for the delivery of:  Pre-board screening of passengers and their belongings; Acquisition, deployment, operation and maintenance of explosives detection systems at airports; Contracting for RCMP policing services on selected flights and all flights to Reagan National Airport ;  Implementation of a restricted area identification card for airport workers; The random screening of non-passengers entering airport restricted areas; Contributions for supplemental airport policing services.

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For more information or a copy of the hi-resolution Travel Tips brochure for publication, please contact CATSA Media Relations at (613) 998-4527.