OTTAWA – The federal government announced Thursday that air travel for Canadian passengers should become faster and more convenient starting February.
“By the time spring break is upon us, it will be easier for air travellers to fly to the United States,” Minister of State for Transport Steven Fletcher said.
Canadians will soon be able to use NEXUS cards which are accepted as proof of identity for frequent travellers at Canadian and U.S. border crossings.
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The NEXUS program is for pre-approved, low-risk travellers into Canada and the U.S. at designated air, land and marine ports of entry. When travelling by air, NEXUS expedites border clearance by enabling members to enter Canada or the U.S. at self-service kiosks.
The program will be available at Canada’s eight largest airports in Halifax, Montreal, Ottawa, Toronto, Winnipeg, Calgary, Edmonton and Vancouver using dedicated screening lines.
NEXUS cards are already operating at all eight major international Canadian airports at domestic and select international checkpoints.
Also, the new program will eliminate duplicate baggage screening over the next three years, meaning that passengers flying from Canadian airports with U.S. pre-clearance facilities will no longer have their bags screened again at the connecting U.S airport.
The expedited pre-board screening lines for NEXUS members travelling to the U.S. is being implemented by the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority and Transport Canada, in co-operation with Canada Border Services Agency and the U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
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