13 November 2006

 

 

The following is excerpted from a news release issued by Transport Canada on 10 November 2006, and found in its entirety at http://www.tc.gc.ca/mediaroom/releases/nat/2006/06-h137e.htm.

 

The Honourable Lawrence Cannon, Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities, today announced proposed amendments to the Canadian Aviation Security Regulations to support the implementation of the new Restricted Area Identity Card by Transport Canada and the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority (CATSA).

 

Through the use of biometrics, the card will enhance the restricted area pass system currently in place at Canada’s twenty-nine major airports for airport personnel, including flight crews, refuelers, caterers and others who require access to restricted areas. The Restricted Area Identity Card incorporates unique human characteristics, such as fingerprints and iris patterns, and leading-edge technology to accurately identify individuals accessing restricted areas at airports, and is the world’s first-ever dual biometric airport identification system….

 

Transport Canada and CATSA have been working in partnership with airport authorities to develop and deploy this enhanced card system, which uses biometrics to support the issuance, verification, cancellation and tracking of restricted area identification cards. To gain access to an airport's restricted area, cardholders will be required to have either their fingerprint or iris scanned by biometric readers at individual airports.

 

This new card system is scheduled to be deployed at Canada’s twenty-nine major airports for approximately 120,000 aviation workers by December 31, 2006….