The Canadian Government has announced a 50% increase in air-traveller security charges. The increased charges would be applicable from April 1st.

At present, the Canadian airlines receive C$5 to C$16 per passenger. With the new fees, the travellers will be paying C$2.5 more per domestic flight, C$4.37 per trans-border flight and C$8.91 per international flight.

"This increase, which is like the cost of earphones or a pillow in some cases, is necessary to protect air travellers from the threat of terrorism", said Canadian Transport Minister John Baird. He added that the airlines are in a better fiscal position, as compared to the previous year.

Baird also mentioned that the Government is planning a further increase in the security charges by C$1.5 billion over the next five years.

Expressing a strong disagreement with the proposed increase, McKenna, President of the Air Transport Association of Canada, said, "We are disappointed and don't see why our clients should be paying for national security issues. That should come out of the general budget of the Government".

He also said that this particular hike will bring Canada on the top of the list for the highest traveller security fees in the world, after the Netherlands.

The Government is likely to take on the cost of installing 44 full body scanners at major airports.