Passengers report waiting over 80 minutes to get through security at Saskatoon airport

Saskatoon's Skyxeairport saw 1,463,000 passengers in 2017 and its growth is coming with growing pains.

Wait times to get through the security check overseen by the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority (CATSA) are so long at times that the queue is out the door, and some passengers report wait times over 80 minutes.

The acceptable wait time is about 15 minutes, according to the airport's CEO.

"During peak periods of our travel time, I can't confirm 80 minutes, but certainly above levels that are acceptable," said Stephen Mayburyon Friday.

Travellers this long weekend should be aware they are walking into peak travel times, and lines that may reflect that.

Julie Graham, travelling out of Saskatoon Thursday evening, posted to the airport's Facebook page:

"The line is literally out the security doors. One line open. No one checking to see if anyone is about to miss their flight. No excuse SKYXE: you need to advocate forcefully with CATSA," she wrote.

"Who cares about fancy new facilities when I've been in line an hour, am 2/3 of the way through, was here 90 minutes early, and may still miss my flight."

Another passenger, MoeGosselin, posted on Thursday evening: "I travel all over Canada frequently. Saskatoon airport is notorious for having minimal security gates open. ... The lines are long and slow."

Schedule change, holiday blamed

A spokesperson for CATSA told CBC News in an email that the corporation's priority is security.

"Passengers waited longer to go through security because of higher passenger volumes due to the Family Day long weekend as well as changes to flight schedules," the spokesperson said.

Skyxe works closely with CATSAto provide updated flight times.

Mayburysaid the long weekend does factor into the long lineups.

"The other issues are around CATSA itself and the way they set up the resources in there, and I know they're working to repair those peak moments of heightened travel," he said.

CATSAspokesperson Suzanne Perseoconfirmed CATSAis working with the airport to ensure staffing is appropriate.