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 an effort to address passenger wait times at certain airports in Canada, CATSA accelerated the hiring and training of over 1,800 screening personnel, between April and August 2022, and an additional 500 screening officers by December 2022. As such, CATSA had sufficient resources for the busy Holiday travel season and the organization was successful in maintaining reasonable screening wait times.
As a federal Crown corporation, CATSA is fully committed to supporting the federal government’s social, economic, and environmental priorities, as set out in the Speech from the Throne, the government’s budget plans, the mandate letter from the Prime Minister to the Minister of Transport, and the letter of expectation from the Minister of Transport to the Chairperson of CATSA’s Board of Directors.
As the civil aviation industry began to recover in 2022, CATSA responded as swiftly as possible to the volatile operating landscape and protracted industry recovery, adjusting operations where suitable while remaining focused on the organization’s security mandate.
It is with great pride that I present the 2023 annual report, my first as President and CEO at the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority (CATSA). As I step into my new role, I would like to express my sincere thanks to my predecessor Michael Saunders. His commitment and contributions to CATSA and aviation security in Canada have been exceptional, and I consider it an honour to carry on leading this important organization.
First, let me express that it is an honour to join the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority (CATSA) as Chairperson of the Board of Directors as the organization undertakes its third decade of operations. Since its inception in 2002, CATSA’s mandate has been to provide the highest level of security to the travelling public and our goal has always been to deliver the screening services of air travellers and their baggage as effectively and efficiently as possible.
As per the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat Policy on Results, Crown corporations are expected to comply with the requirement to identify Core Responsibilities in order to support the publication of the Main Estimates and the Public Accounts. CATSA has one Core Responsibility.
CATSA is mandated to deliver effective, efficient and consistent screening at designated airports. CATSA fulfils this responsibility by way of its mandated activities.
Established on April 1, 2002, the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority (CATSA) is an agent Crown corporation funded by parliamentary appropriations, and accountable to Parliament through the Minister of Transport.
CATSA’s mission is to protect the public by securing critical elements of the air transportation system.
CATSA’s vision is to be a recognized global leader in aviation security screening, achieved through:
