Pilot for Verified Traveller to launch at Ottawa International Airport and Halifax Stanfield International Airport

Minister of Transport announces pilot for dedicated Verified Traveller lines coming soon to Ottawa International Airport and Halifax Stanfield International Airport

The Government of Canada is continuously working to improve the security screening process to ensure travellers are able to have a quick and efficient travel journey, while ensuring the highest standards of security to keep Canadians safe.

The Minister of Transport, the Honourable Omar Alghabra, announced on 27 June that the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority (CATSA) will soon be launching a pilot for dedicated Verified Traveller screening lines at Ottawa International Airport and Halifax Stanfield International Airport by 23 August 2023.

This new pilot will test the feasibility of having dedicated lines open on a daily basis at these airports by opening them during peak periods, while maintaining overall service standards for these checkpoints. This will inform our next steps and help provide a quicker travel journey for passengers moving through the Ottawa and Halifax airports. Outside of these peak periods, a front-of-the-line service would be offered to eligible verified travellers.

Since 21 June 2023, the Verified Traveller programme, which has replaced the Trusted Traveller programme, has had dedicated lines open to improve the screening experience at the following airports:

• Vancouver International Airport
• Edmonton International Airport
• Calgary International Airport
• Winnipeg Richardson International Airport
• Toronto Pearson International Airport T1 and T3
• Montreal-Trudeau International Airport

The new lines provide eligible travellers with select benefits at security screening checkpoints, such as keeping laptops, large electronics and compliant liquids and gels in their carry-on, and keeping shoes, belts and light jackets on. Eligible travellers include:

• Members of NEXUS and Global Entry;
• Active members of the Canadian Armed Forces and US military, including reservists, with valid ID;
• Canadian aircrew (in uniform) and airport workers with Restricted Area Identification Cards;
• International aircrew (in uniform) with valid airline ID; and
• Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) officers, Canadian police officers and constables with a badge and proper photo identification issued by their respective organisations.

The Verified Traveller programme also now allows children who are 17 years of age and younger, and adults who are 75 years of age and older, to accompany verified travellers through security, provided they are on the same reservation.

“I am pleased to announce that the airports in Ottawa and Halifax will soon be joining the other six Canadian airports with dedicated Verified Traveller screening lines, on a pilot basis. As we enter the busy summer travel season, we are working hard to ensure a smooth security screening process for travellers. This new Verified Traveller programme will help ease congestion over time and builds on our $1.8 billion investment for CATSA in Budget 2023 to create a safe and smooth passenger experience for all Canadian travellers,” said the Honourable Omar Alghabra  

The Minister of Transport said, “CATSA is always seeking ways to improve the air traveller experience. The Verified Traveller programme is one way we can do this and we are excited to pilot the programme in Ottawa and Halifax as we look to expand this experience for more travellers in more locations.