Media Advisory - Toronto Pearson celebrates grand re-opening of security screening and U.S. customs facility

TORONTO, July 15, 2016 /CNW/ - Toronto Pearson International Airport is set to inaugurate the fully redeveloped Security in Advance (SIA) process supporting preclearance to the United States. The Greater Toronto Airports Authority (GTAA) led this two-year collaborative project in coordination with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), Canadian Air Transport Security Authority (CATSA) and air carriers to meet new CBP regulatory requirements, improve passenger flow and make software upgrades, which allows 95 per cent of all passengers travelling to the United States to use the Automated Passport Control kiosks.

Toronto Pearson is the fourth largest air entry point into the U.S. with 5.6 million passengers flying from Toronto to the U.S. each year.

Please join us as senior officials from both the United States and Canada speak on the importance of this relationship.

Due to the nature and location of this visit, you are required to RSVP in advance of the event.

Speakers:

• The Hon. Marc Garneau, Minister of Transport, Government of Canada
• The Hon. Bruce A. Heyman, United States Ambassador to Canada
• Howard Eng, President and CEO, Greater Toronto Airports Authority
• Angus Watt, President and CEO, Canadian Air Transport Security Authority
• Randy Howe, Director Field Operations, Preclearance Field Office, U.S. Customs and Border Protection

Please Note:
Filming and photography will be restricted due to the secure location of this event.

About preclearance at Toronto Pearson:
Preclearance is a process that allows for U.S. customs, immigration and agricultural inspection processes to occur in Toronto prior to boarding a direct flight to the United States, without further U.S. CBP processing or security screening upon arrival.  Preclearance has been in place at Toronto Pearson for more than 60 years.

Facilitating travel between the United States and Canada is a significant component of the GTAA's global hub strategy. Preclearance improves transborder (U.S.) connections, providing direct access to more than 50 U.S. destinations that would not necessarily be possible without the benefit of preclearance facilities. Toronto Pearson drives economic growth on both sides of the border, playing a significant part in U.S./Canada trade, the world's most comprehensive bilateral trade and investment relationship.

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SOURCE Greater Toronto Airports Authority

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