For people traveling for summer holidays, as school begin entering their final months one dreed the travel industry has been dealing with in a post-pandemic world is long wait time at the airport.
“The Canadian Air Transport Security Authority plays a crucial role in keeping our air sector safe. As the sector entered recovery following the COVID-19 pandemic, we saw how important it was to have a smooth and efficient security screening regime for air passengers.” Minister of Transport Omar Alghabra
The long wait times especially for West-Jet who almost had their pilots go on strike after a last minute deal was made on May 18. The Federal Government announced it will restructuring it’s trusted-traveler program NEXUS which will been in affect as of June 21st and will replace the current program.
NEXUS is designed to speed up border crossings into Canada and the United States for low-risk, pre-approved travelers which is a joint run program with the Canadian Border Service Agency and U.S. Custom and Border Protection.
Verified Traveler screening lines will be available at selected domestic and international checkpoints across Canada which include Calgary International Airport (YYC) and Edmonton International Airport (YEG). Other checkpoints include:
- Vancouver International Airport
- Winnipeg International Airport
- Toronto-Pearson International Airport T1 and T3
- Montreal-Trudeau International Airport
Canadian Minister of Transportation Omar Alghabra expressed his excitement in a press release, “The Canadian Air Transport Security Authority plays a crucial role in keeping our air sector safe. As the sector entered recovery following the COVID-19 pandemic, we saw how important it was to have a smooth and efficient security screening regime for air passengers. This new Verified Traveler program builds on our $1.8 billion investment for CATSA in Budget 2023, and is great news as we enter another busy travel season to help combat congestion at our airports.”.
NEXUS memberships are valid for five years and has a $50 USD non-refundable application processing fee. For more information about Verified Travelers visit the CATSA’s website.
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