By Ian Holmes

New X-ray scanner eases congestion at Nanaimo Airport

Apr 26, 2018 | 6:57 PM

NANAIMO — Security lines at Nanaimo Airport should begin shrinking thanks to a new X-ray scanner at the growing facility.

Airport president and CEO Mike Hooper told NanaimoNewsNOW the arrival of the scanner this week to process outbound luggage allowed a much-needed second security line to open, which doubled their capacity to 200 people an hour.

“The time frame that we’re addressing for heavy passenger loads is from 10 in the morning until two in the afternoon,” Hooper said. “The new equipment will allow passengers to move through the security line very effectively.”

Hooper said expanded security at Nanaimo Airport is good timing, with new non-stop flights linking Nanaimo and Toronto slated to take off June 22. He said a 136 passenger plane for the new offering accelerated the need for additional security capacity.

“As we look into the future, the improvements with technology such as this new security line are critical to ensure that we meet the customer demand.”

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A broken down X-ray machine caused chaos for a few days in February when staff had to physically screen luggage, leading to long line-ups and several people missing flights.

Hooper noted the rare problem is a worry of the past with the new technology.

“If one piece of our equipment breaks down the second line can come in as a backup.”

Additional security screening is part of a $15-million project to expand Nanaimo Airport, which recently broke ground.

Ian@NanaimoNewsNow.com

On Twitter: @reporterholmes