Air Carriers Must Have Approved Security Programs

Summary#

The Canada Gazette published proposed Regulations Amending the Canadian Aviation Security Regulations, 2012 (Security Program for Air Carriers) that would require certain air carriers operating international flights to have an approved written security program. Transport Canada estimates the change would cost industry $2.9 million and the government $4.3 million, for a total present value of $7.2 million over 12 years (2027–2038). Affected carriers would have three years after final publication to get their programs approved.

What it does#

• Requires certain air carriers that fly to or from Canada to create, implement and keep an approved security program for air carriers (often called a SPAC or AOSP).
• Adds a new Part 9 to the Canadian Aviation Security Regulations, 2012 setting out program elements such as:
  • named accountable executive and security official;
  • risk assessments (threat, vulnerability, impact);
  • a strategic security plan and emergency plan;
  • yearly discussion-based exercises (or participation in operations-based exercises);
  • annual internal audits and at least one full audit of each procedure every five years;
  • documented training, instructor qualifications and evaluation (including instructor re-evaluation every two years).
• Tightens or clarifies existing Part 8 rules on things like: removal of goods left on board after each flight, carriage and storage of firearms (a signed declaration that the firearm is unloaded, storage so it’s inaccessible during flight, and notifying pilot/crew of the passenger’s seat), and procedures when transporting people in custody (pilot must be told seat location; such passengers cannot sit next to an exit).
• Requires foreign carriers to show their programs align with Canada’s National Civil Aviation Security Program or submit supplementary station procedures (SSPs) explaining any differences.
• Sets documentation and retention periods (for example, key risk and plan records kept for five years; training records for one year; instructor qualification records for two years).
• Staggers implementation: existing in‑scope carriers can continue operating while they prepare submissions, but after the coming‑into‑force deadline (the rule’s three‑year anniversary) new in‑scope carriers may not begin international services in Canada without Ministerial approval of key security elements.
• Introduces administrative penalties for non‑compliance, up to $10,000 or $25,000 depending on the offence.

Who's affected#

• About 97 air carriers in total are in scope: 16 Canadian carriers that operate internationally and 81 foreign carriers.
• The rules target larger aircraft/operations: flights that carry 20 or more passengers and aircraft with a maximum certified take‑off weight over 8,618 kg, and flights where passengers are screened. Smaller or domestic‑only operators are mostly excluded.
• Transport Canada will need staff to review, approve and oversee programs.
• Travellers could see small cost pass‑throughs. Transport Canada’s analysis estimates possible ticket price increases ranging from $0.0007 to $1.91 per passenger, and for cargo‑only services $1.59 to $4.28 per flight (these are modeled ranges, not guaranteed changes).
• No Canadian small businesses are expected to be affected among the 16 domestic carriers. The proposal estimates an annualized administrative cost of $7,608 total, or about $476 per affected business under the one‑for‑one rule.

Why it matters#

• The changes are meant to bring Canada closer to international standards in ICAO Annex 17 (standards 3.3.1 and 3.3.2), which expect commercial air carriers operating internationally to have a written security program. ICAO previously identified this gap for Canada in audits.
• Requiring formal, approved security programs helps create consistent risk assessments, training, emergency plans and audits across carriers. That should strengthen preparedness and reduce vulnerabilities on flights to and from Canada.
• Alignment also has reputational and practical benefits: it makes it easier for Canadian carriers to operate abroad and reduces the risk that Canada would be seen as a weak link in international aviation security.
• The benefits are described qualitatively because the avoided‑incident gains are hard to quantify; the government’s estimate of the direct monetary cost is a present value of $7.2 million over 2027–2038, while the safety and risk‑reduction benefits are expected but uncertain.