Canadian travellers will now be able to use automated customs clearance technology when heading to the United States through Vancouver International Airport, Vancouver Airport Authority announced September 5.
This first-of-its-kind customs systems program was put into place in May – but until now only U.S. travellers heading south were able to use the technology.
"Vancouver Airport Authority is constantly looking for ways to move people and bags through YVR more efficiently," said Craig Richmond, Vancouver Airport Authority president and CEO.
"Automated Passport Control is just one of the many examples of homegrown innovation developed here at YVR that improves the travelling experience.
"Because of the demonstrated success of Automated Border Clearance and now Automated Passport Control, other airports are approaching us to help them implement these YVR-designed programs."
Since the program was put in place, the airport authority has provided the technology to the Chicago Department of Aviation to install at Chicago O'Hare – the first U.S. airport to launch the technology.
Data collected at both YVR and Chicago O'Hare found the system led to improvements including:
- four times as many passengers were processed per border staff member;
- the inspection process was 89% faster than a typical method; and
- travellers spent 33% less time waiting in line.
YVR is now working with Montreal-Trudeau Airport and Delta Air Lines at New York's John F. Kennedy airport to implement the system.
