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Airlines must ID travellers: Ottawa

By: Staff Writer

Posted: 09/19/2010 1:00 AM | Comments: 0 (including replies)

OTTAWA -- The Harper government has tightened air security rules to try to ensure airlines check every passenger's entire face before letting them board a plane.

The move follows the controversy that erupted in August after a video posted on YouTube seemed to show two Muslim women boarding an Air Canada flight in Montreal without having to remove their veils.

At the time, then-transport minister John Baird responded by ordering an investigation into whether airlines are enforcing rules that require staff to see the faces of passengers who board their flights.

The spokeswoman for current transport minister, Chuck Strahl, confirmed Saturday that a security notice was sent to all airlines by Transport Canada to "remind" them air carriers must be able to see the faces of passengers.

Boarding gate screening regulations state carriers must deny travel to passengers who don't resemble their photo identification.

It also states the "entire face" of a passenger must be checked against their identification.

Carriers that violate the order could face fines of up to $25,000, and individuals who do so could incur penalties of up to $5,000.

Chiarelli said passengers who look older than 18 have to have their identities checked by airlines as per identity screening regulations.

She said Transport Canada will be monitoring compliance to the notice and will "take the necessary steps" to clarify any policies or regulations that aren't clear.

Canadian Muslim groups say they support the measure.

-- The Canadian Press

Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition September 19, 2010 A14

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