The Federal government making air travel more convenient at Vancouver International Airport

New Holiday Travel Portal to help make holiday travel faster, easier

VANCOUVER, Dec. 18, 2014 /CNW/ - The Honourable Kerry-Lynne Findlay, Minister of National Revenue, today announced new initiatives aimed at making air travel to the United States even easier for NEXUS members and other low-risk Trusted Travellers who have undergone extensive background checks. Minister Findlay also encouraged travellers to use a new holiday travel toolkit to enable faster and more convenient holiday travel.

During Canadian Air Transport Security Authority (CATSA) security screening, Trusted Travellers are now able to access dedicated lines at four of Canada's busiest airports: Vancouver, Calgary, Toronto (Pearson Terminals 1 and 3), and Montréal. At these lines, Trusted Travellers have access to faster security screening, for instance, not having to remove shoes, belts, hats, light jackets; and keeping permitted liquids, aerosols and gels in carry-on bags.

In addition, to facilitate clearing customs, upgraded Trusted Traveller kiosks are now installed in all airports in Canada where NEXUS is available. At Canada's busiest airports, the CBSA has also installed more kiosks to accommodate the growing popularity of the program. These upgraded kiosks will provide faster, more reliable and efficient service.

These new kiosks will improve the flow of travel in Canada's busiest airports and make air travel more convenient for all air passengers while still maintaining a high level of security.

Minister Findlay also encouraged all travellers to access a new portal on Canada.ca/HolidayTravel to enable faster and more convenient holiday travel. Drawing important information from across government, it provides links to user-friendly tools like the Current Border Wait Times table and the Travel Smart app for consular information and assistance abroad.

Quick Facts

• Dedicated CATSA security screening lines are now available for transborder flights at Vancouver, Calgary, Toronto (Pearson Terminals 1 and 3), and Montréal airports.
• Trusted Travellers eligible to use these security screening lines include members of NEXUS and Global Entry programs and Canadian and US military, and aircrew in uniform with valid ID.
• Trusted Travellers must still comply with screening rules for prohibited items.
• The NEXUS program is a bi-national program administered in collaboration with the United States.
• NEXUS membership benefits to air travellers include:
  • expedited screening or front of queue service at CATSA checkpoints in Canada for domestic, transborder, and international flights; and
  • self-serve kiosks to clear customs and immigration.
• The NEXUS program has more than 1,100,000 members as of December 2014.

Quote

"Our Government is committed to safe and secure travel by air for all passengers. The new upgraded NEXUS kiosks provide NEXUS members with faster, more reliable and efficient service. Having more pre-approved low-risk travellers improves the flow of legitimate trade and travel and allows us to focus efforts on higher-risk travellers and goods. By working with our aviation security partners in Canada and the United States, we will continue to strengthen both the security and efficiency of our aviation system."
The Honourable Kerry-Lynne Findlay
Minister of National Revenue

Associated Links

More about NEXUS and how to enroll

U.S. CBP NEXUS

Canadian Air Transport Security Authority — Security Screening

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SOURCE: Transport Canada

Ashley Kelahear, Director of Communications, Office of the Honourable Lisa Raitt, Minister of Transport, Ottawa, 613-991-0700; Media Relations,Transport Canada, Ottawa, 613-993-0055; Canada Border Services Agency, Media Line, 613-957-6500 ; CATSA Communications, Mathieu Larocque, 613-998-4527