The Canadian government is easing restrictions on airport security, culling the list of items banned on board Canadian flights in an effort to speed up the screening process.
Travellers will now be allowed to board planes with small personal tools such as nail scissors and eyeglass screwdrivers, as the government mandates that the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority focus on more dangerous items.
"We’re tasking CATSA with modernizing its screening techniques to focus more on higher threat items such as explosives and less on items including small manicure scissors and small eyeglass screwdrivers," a senior government official said in an interview with QMI agency yesterday (February 2).
Under the new rules, personal items such as scissors with blades shorter than 6 cm and tools with shafts under 6 cm in length (excluding the handle) will be allowed through security at Canadian airports.
To further streamline the screening process, airports will be creating separate lines for families and frequent travellers, added the government source.
"Some of the specific changes may go unnoticed by passengers, but something they will notice is lines will be moving much faster," said Minister of State for Transport Rob Merrifield.