Canada's Airports Affirm Support for CATSA, CBSA Resources

Organizations play important roles serving passengers and goods

OTTAWA, March 30, 2012 /CNW/ - The Canadian Airports Council today affirmed support for the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority and Canada Border Services Agency, which provide passenger and baggage security screening and border services.  Both organizations are subject to resource cuts in the federal budget delivered yesterday.

"CATSA and CBSA each play a vital role in the travel supply chain, protecting Canada from threats and facilitating the safe, efficient flow of passengers and goods throughout Canada," said CAC Chairman Tom Ruth.  "These two important organizations do valuable work and we encourage the government to ensure they have the resources they need to support their needs today and for the future. Traffic will continue to grow and these organizations will need to grow with it if they are to continue to efficiently handle the flow of travellers."

Under the federal budget tabled in the House of Commons yesterday, CATSA and CBSA are to see a $203 million cut in funds over the next three years.  Meanwhile traffic is projected to grow 3-4 per cent over the same period of time.

About the Canadian Airports Council

The Canadian Airports Council (CAC), a division of Airports Council International-North America, is the voice for Canada's airports community and the Canadian unit of Airports Council International-North America.  Its 45 members represent more than 200 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 in excess of $45 billion in economic activity in the communities they serve.  And more than 200,000 jobs are directly associated with CAC member airports, generating a payroll of more than $8 billion annually.

Daniel-Robert Gooch
President
Canadian Airports Council
[phone] ext 16
[email protected]