Passengers departing from Toronto Pearson Airport are being asked to “pack their patience” with long lines for security being reported Monday.
In a statement sent to Global News, the Greater Toronto Airports Authority (GTAA) said passengers have been experiencing “longer than expected wait times at CATSA security screening points.”
“We have been working with our partners at CATSA to manage the flow of passengers as best as possible,” the statement said.
“Passengers flying from Pearson are asked to pack their patience, arrive early, and check their flight status with their airline or on our website prior to leaving for the airport.”
CATSA (the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority) is the agency responsible for screening passengers and their luggage.
GTAA said employees are “doing their best” to move passengers through.
“We kindly ask passengers to treat employees with respect,” the statement said.
CASTA suggested that several factors are to blame for the delays.
In a statement, the Crown corporation said that they are “not immune” to recruitment and retention challenges being experienced by the broader aviation industry.
“CATSA has been actively supporting its screening contractors … as they take additional measures to ensure effective recruitment and candidate development,” the statement said.
“These challenges are being addressed with the ongoing ramp-up of staffing and continued information-sharing and cooperation among airport and airline partners. Examples of support for screening contractor hiring include ramped up training capacity.”
CATSA also said that resources are scheduled according to airline traffic which, pre-pandemic, “could be cross-utilized more efficiently between the Transborder and Domestic and International checkpoints due to staggered passenger peaks.”
But as travel ramps up again, the corporation said there are “simultaneous peaks,” making it more difficult to allocate resources.
“At times, this can contribute to longer passenger wait times at all airports,” the statement said.
“Also, increasingly passengers are opting to travel with more carry on bags resulting in additional time required to process these bags at pre-board screening.”