Pre-board Screening
PBS Wait-Time Service Levels
CATSA screened an estimated 57.6 million passengers in 2022/23, which represents a 134.7% increase from 2021/22 traffic, and 84.8% of the 2018/19 pre-pandemic traffic. CATSA operations have continued to adapt to the dynamic domestic and international travel patterns.
In 2022/23, CATSA delivered an annual wait time service level (WTSL) where, on average 88.6% of passengers waited less than 15 minutes to be screened at Class 1 airports. Longer wait times will occur during peak periods, when checkpoints experience higher traffic.
The following graph of 2022 traffic and WTSL demonstrates that as passenger volumes steadily increased, there was a significant negative impact to wait time service levels during parts of spring/summer 2022, especially during peak periods. However, wait times began normalizing as newly hired screening officers were onboarded. In fact, CATSA had fully recovered and was performing above its funded wait time service level within a few months. CATSA has maintained its hiring efforts and has continued to collaborate with industry partners in order to be prepared for what is expectd to be a busy summer 2023 travel period.
Note: Peak periods are considered times when checkpoints experience high traffic volumes; these periods can differ significantly between checkpoints and within the same checkpoint over time, given changes to variables such as flight schedules. Calculating automated WTSL for peak periods includes a methodology that identifies periods per day in which traffic volumes are well above average.
PBS Innovations and Recapitalization Lifecycle Management Project
CATSA relies on a variety of technological components at PBS checkpoints to ensure the safety and security of air travellers. These critical components must be maintained and replaced in accordance with CATSA’s lifecycle management practices to ensure a high level of effectiveness in security screening and to stay abreast of changing trends in screening technology.
CT X-ray at PBS
CATSA’s multi-year lifecycle management program will include the replacement of PBS X-ray technology with CT X-rays at Class 1 and Class 2 airports, and will replace all single-view X-ray machines with multi-view versions at all Class 3 airports.
As such, the organization completed a CT X-ray trial at the Ottawa International Airport from July to October 2022. The trial allowed CATSA to collect key data points on the operation of this technology, which were incorporated into the technical requirements for the upcoming procurement. CATSA initiated the procurement process in late 2022/23 and anticipates awarding a contract by mid-2023/24, with the deployment of CT X-rays starting by the end of 2023/24.
Subject to Transport Canada regulatory changes to allow certain items to remain in carry-on bags, like large electronics and permitted liquids, aerosols and gels (LAGs), the deployment of the PBS CT X-rays, in addition to providing better detection capabilities, will significantly enhance the passenger experience by reducing the divesting requirements.
Furthermore, this ensures that CATSA is using the most effective technology at security screening checkpoints across the country and permits the organization to better align with the latest screening standards from key partners like the Transportation Security Administration in the United States. As CATSA carries out its PBS lifecycle management plan, the organization will capitalize on technology advancements to heighten security effectiveness, building on past successes like CATSA Plus.
Full Body Scanner (FBS) Lifecycle Management
CATSA has continued with its multi-year project of procuring new FBS equipment to replace the current fleet of FBS units as part of the organization’s lifecycle management plan. Used in combination with walk-through metal detectors, the FBS Primary screening process enables an efficient flow of passengers through even the busiest checkpoints. CATSA will be initiating the replacement of its current fleet of FBS units with a newer model that has a smaller footprint than the current model. This will provide CATSA with flexibility to fit more units at security screening checkpoints that face space constraints. As well, the organization will be deploying the new units with the latest detection algorithm available, which include improvements designed to reduce false alarms.
By late 2022/23, CATSA accepted delivery of 16 new FBS units. Vancouver International Airport and Calgary International Airport received the first units. CATSA plans to continue to replace FBS units with the new FBS model at additional airports in 2023/24.
CATSA Plus
CATSA Plus security screening lines enable a more effective security screening process and improved passenger experience, as compared to standard PBS screening lines. There are now 84 CATSA Plus lines deployed across 7 of the Class 1 airports; more than 60% of the travelling public is now being screened using CATSA Plus technology. As well, CATSA continues to work with airport authorities to identify opportunities to deploy additional CATSA Plus lines, with some deployments expected to occur in 2023/24.
Non-passenger Screening
In support of changes made to the NPS-Vehicle (NPS-V) Traffic Management System, CATSA developed a training simulator to facilitate more effective training. In addition, the use of advanced analytics has allowed CATSA to better understand the impacts of procedural changes being considered for both PBS and NPS. Specifically, CATSA has been exploring the use of artificial intelligence to supplement NPS-V oversight to identify vehicles, recognize human activity, and detect anomalies. If successful, this initiative would allow CATSA to enhance its procedural oversight capabilities.
Restricted Area Identity Card Program
CATSA’s RAIC program allows airport authorities to maintain care and control of the restricted areas of airports. This system employs biometric scanners to identify those authorized to enter restricted areas, and enables the implementation of random screening at NPS checkpoints.
CATSA completed the design and development of the next generation RAIC Enrolment System (ES). Deployment of the RAIC ES project was completed in fall 2022; the final RAIC units were installed in September, following delays due to the pandemic. A total of 72 enrolment stations were installed at airports. The new RAIC ES is more robust and reliable than the legacy system. Since the fall of 2020, there has not been any system downtime compared to temporary service interruptions of approximately one hour on average per month with the legacy system.
Airport Screening Services Agreements
In 2022/23, CATSA began engaging with Transport Canada, the regulator, on how lessens learned from the spring and summer 2022 could be effectively incorporated into the future service agreements in order to make security screening more resilient to major disruptions to the civil aviation industry. Importantly, lessons learned from the operational recovery efforts of spring and summer 2022 have been prioritized for consideration in the new ASSAs.
CATSA also created an internal working group that undertook an exercise to further identify areas of strategic contract improvements, which would be integrated into the future ASSAs. The working group identified some of the following areas for improvement:
- Streamline the management structure, including national standardization of front line supervision of screening services;
- Incorporate methods to optimize resource tracking;
- Incorporate lessons learned on how to accelerate staffing and mitigate the impacts of attrition;
- Identify other opportunities to further strengthen training; and
- Advance support of Government priorities such as official languages, accessibility and diversity and inclusion to improve the security screening experience for travellers and front line personnel.
Continued Optimization of Screening Equipment and Procedures
CATSA has continued its longstanding efforts to improve the performance of its security screening equipment. For example, CATSA is leveraging artificial intelligence to review and detect specific objects in X-ray images, which has allowed the organization to better understand the composition of these images at PBS checkpoints. As well, CATSA has leveraged machine learning to predict the number of passengers expected on an hourly basis at PBS checkpoints at Class 1 airports. In the future, CATSA will explore how to best operationalize this model such that forecasts are updated autonomously on an on-going basis.
Stakeholder Testimonial
Airport AuthorityDeborah Flint
President and CEO - Greater Toronto Airports Authority (YYZ)Our focus is always on improving the passenger experience and providing our customers with a travel experience they can be excited about. The trusted traveller program trial provided a new approach to screening. It allowed passengers to keep their large electronics in their carry-on baggage, making for a faster overall screening experience. Trusted traveller is a perfect example of how this collaboration with CATSA can result in excellent outcomes for the passenger. We see initiatives like these as key steps toward transforming Toronto Pearson into the airport of the future.
Flexible Workplace Model
As part of the phased implementation of the flexible workplace model, the organization undertook a project to consolidate its headquarters workspace to ensure value for money, and optimization of CATSA’s physical space. This project enables modifications that encourage a positive and productive technology experience and accommodate ergonomic needs and wellbeing. This includes creating multiple collaboration spaces, additional meeting rooms, and an online booking system that permits employees to easily reserve office and collaboration space. In addition to modernizing the headquarters workspace, preliminary work has began to upgrade regional boardrooms and training facilities. The organization will conduct an assessment of its model in 2023/24 to ensure it continues to meet its business needs.
Training and Certification
CATSA began delivering new training on how screening officers can assist passengers with disabilities with safely lifting and retrieving their belongings at checkpoints. In addition, screening officers also began receiving the new Indigenous Cultural Awareness Learning Program, which provides them with greater understanding and context when screening Indigenous people and their belongings and further instruction on respectful and sensitive practices to follow when screening sacred cultural items. These examples of updated training have been integrated into the learning programs for all new screening officers, and as part of the return-to-work activities for returning officers. Additionally, to align with the future Airport Screening Services Agreements (ASSAs), CATSA will be redesigning the initial training program for screening officers and auxiliary programs to ensure that newly certified personnel and supervisors continue to be fully supported.