Canada to trial new security line as air traffic swells

Canada will introduce a new kind of security line at airports in Montreal and Calgary later this year to move people through checkpoints more quickly as pressure rises in North America to reduce passenger bottlenecks. The automated line, one element in a new checkpoint developed by the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority (CATSA), is an example of how US and Canadian airports are using technology to speed passenger flow despite complaints of insufficient numbers of screening staff. The redesigned CATSA Plus checkpoint combines elements that exist separately at other airports such as electronic gates to screen passports and ceiling-mounted sensors to track the flow of passengers and display waiting times at line-ups, an authority spokesman said. "We have to find new ways to keep security, which is our first priority, but also improve the passenger flow, the customer experience," said CATSA spokesman Mathieu Larocque. The Montreal trial will start in late August with one line, but include elements of the CATSA Plus checkpoint such as a separate X-ray screening room where agents can view scans of carry-on bags remotely.<br/>