There is now a second security line at the Grande Prairie Airport. The extra pre-board screening line will be used when the airport is busiest to try to cut down on wait times.
The airport has been dealing with security line times of up to 90 minutes since last fall. Schedule changes meant more flights departing at the same time, and Airport Commission CEO Brian Grant has argued the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority wasn’t scheduling enough staff for peak times.
“The operations of a second PBS line was announced in late May and after four weeks of facility renovations by the Grande Prairie Airport and the installation of new equipment by CATSA the service is up and running,” Grant says.
The second line will be in use from 4 a.m. to 8 a.m. seven days a week during the summer. The goal is to keep wait times under 15 minutes.
The total cost of the project has not been disclosed, but Grant has said the airport chose to pay extra to speed up the process. Normally, CATSA covers the cost of operations and the equipment, and airports can apply to have renovation costs reimbursed.
Travellers will also notice a new shop past security to replace the vending machine. Grant says passengers can find more drinks, fresh food, snacks and magazines.
“We have been in the planning stages for improved beverage and food selections in our holdroom area in response
to customer comments. The time was ideal to add the facilities for a confectionary since we were doing major renovations to that area of our building for PBS already.”
Also coming to the airport this summer is new x-ray technology for checked bags.