Know More About Catsa, The Security Authority In Canada

The full form of CATSA is the Canadian air transport security authority. It is a federal crown corporation that has the mandate to protect the public, public places, and vital air infrastructure by effectively and efficiently screening air travelers, for instance, travelers flying via Canada to India flights and their baggage at designated airports in Canada.

CATSA is responsible for many things related to security at the airports such as screening passengers and baggage before they board flights, for instance Canada to India flights, which is also known as pre-board screening, screening passengers checked baggage( hold baggage screening), and also the random screening of workers and non-passengers entering the restricted areas of the airport that are non-accessible to the general public. CATSA maintains and administers the Restricted Area Identity Card (RAIC). Additionally, CATSA is responsible for deploying the relevant staff to the restricted area.

Following are the summaries of the services and responsibilities of CATSA

Pre-board screening

Every year, Canadian airports inspect over 55 million passengers and their belongings before they board planes. CATSA deploys approximately 5600 screening officers to supervise these screening activities. CATSA is responsible for ensuring that no items from Transport Canada’s list of prohibited items are allowed on aircraft. Screening officers pay particular attention to dangerous or potentially dangerous items such as knives, firearms, and explosives, as they extensively search for these items.

The pre-board screening process of CATSA is completely compatible with that of its international partners in aviation security and accordingly, CATSA updates its security technology, workforce training, and operational procedures.

Hold Baggage screening

Passengers check 62 million pieces of luggage each year and use explosive detection types of equipment to detect and screen them. All the responsibility for efficiently screening such a large quantum of baggage lies with the CATSA.

Non-passenger screening

The airport workers are counted as non-passengers and they have access to restricted areas of Canadian airports. These non-passenger people include flight and cabin crews, airline customer service personnel, baggage handlers, vendors, and other airport staff. At Canada’s 28 major airports, CATSA randomly screens about 815,000 non-passengers annually as per Transport Canada regulations.

Restricted area identity card

The CATSA has developed and maintains a restricted area identity card program. It is the first dual biometric airport identification program for non-passengers. The fingerprints and iris information of the non-passengers are stored in a computer chip that is fitted on each identity card. The cardholder has to carry the card while he/she is moving around the airport. The RAIC program has been in operation at Canada’s 28 major airports since 2007 and includes cards, fingerprints, and iris readers at airport terminals. A network also exists that link all the airports to a secure central database.

CATSA works in close quarters with Transport Canada, aviation industry partners, and screening contractors. The final aim is to provide professional, effective, and consistent security service at the standards set by Transport Canada.

The minister of transport, infrastructure, and communities has mandated CATSA to be accountable to parliament through him. The Board of directors governs the CATSA. CATSA’s president and CEO and senior management team direct the front-line operations.

CATSA operates using a third-party business model.  Their contracts the screening contractors to employ the screening workforce and deliver screening services. At the designated airports in Canada, the following companies are responsible for delivering screening services

• Garda security screening company: Prairies region(Manitoba, Alberta, Saskatchewan, and northwest territories).

• G4S secure solutions private limited: Pacific region ( British Columbia, Yukon).

• Garda security screening inc: Central region(Ontario).

• Securitas Transport aviation security limited: East region(New Brunswick, Quebec, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, Nunavut, Newfoundland and Labrador).

So this was all the CATSA agency. We sincerely hope, Flyopedia has thrown sufficient light on CATSA and its working.