Ottawa announces nearly $10.5 million in funding to support technology infrastructure at EIA

“(It) will support information technology infrastructure improvements, including new hardware, software, network and data facilities, to increase security and better protect (the) airport from potential cybersecurity and system attacks, the replacement of critical infrastructure to enhance the efficiency and security of airport check-in and boarding, as well as projects to enable COVID-19 testing and screening at the airport,” he said.

Tom Ruth, president and CEO of the Edmonton Regional Airports Authority, said while this is still a critical time for airports due to the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Edmonton International Airport (EIA) is optimistic for the future of the industry.

“For passengers, this means even more online and digital security when you’re at EIA, and these improvements will further enhance systems such as public access Wi-Fi and the protection of personal information for travellers,” Ruth said.

The funding will also see the EIA and other airports work together to harmonize the check-in process.

“The check-in process is something common at every airport, but every airport does it a little different with different machines and different procedures,” Ruth said.

“Ultimately, we’re here to serve passengers and we have realized there’s no good reason why we can’t work together with other airports so that check-in procedures become similar and consistent at participating airports. It will save us money by working together and when it’s complete in the coming years, passengers will see a harmonized system across several major Canadian airports.

The latest funding is in addition to $18.5 million announced last summer , for a total of about $29 million.