Don’t bring credit card knives to the airport

OTTAWA, June 2, 2016 – The Canadian Air Transport Security Authority (CATSA) would like to remind air travellers that credit card-size utility knives are not permitted in carry-on or checked baggage. These items are concealed knives and, as such, are illegal under the Criminal Code of Canada. Recently, CATSA has seen a marked increase in the number of credit card knives being intercepted across security checkpoints.

When a screening officer finds a credit card knife, the police must be notified. This causes undue delays at the checkpoint for all passengers and can lead to criminal charges and prosecution against the person carrying the item.

Before going to the airport, passengers are invited to consult the CATSA website or CATSA’s Breeze Through Security mobile app for information and tips on how to prepare for security screening. Questions can also be directed to 1-800-294-2202 or on Twitter @catsa_gc.

CATSA is a Crown corporation responsible for:

• Pre-board screening – the screening of passengers, their carry-on baggage and their personal belongings;
• Hold-baggage screening – the screening of checked baggage;
• Non-passenger screening – the random screening of non-passengers; and
• Restricted Area Identity Card – the administration of access control to airport restricted areas through biometric identifiers.