Like 89 other airports across Canada, the Yellowknife Airport beefed up security measures and added new equipment that may damage photo film and cause delays for tardy passengers.

To avoid problems, Transport Canada is advising passengers to arrive on time, pack film in carry-on baggage only and to familiarize themselves with the list of prohibited items, such as nail files, scissors, razors, knitting needles and cork screws.

Ram Friram, manager of Twilite Security -- the company that holds the contract for Yellowknife Airport security -- said people need to arrive on time.

"Don't wait until the last second," he said. "The security things you have to do will take more time."

New equipment, new rules

On Dec. 31, the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority (CATSCA) assumed responsibility for pre-board screening in Canadian airports, covering 99 per cent of air traffic.

In Yellowknife and Iqaluit Airports, CATSCA has been deploying equipment and financing security since April, 2001. Now CATSCA has full operational control.

The new measures include individual scanning of checked baggage.

Friram said a few people have complained about the new process because they don't know what's going on but overall everyone seems to be adjusting.

"It's getting better," he laughed, adding two more scanning machines are expected to arrive this summers.

Twilite Security has held the airline security contract since 1995. Now the company will assume a government contract and fulfill the new duties by increasing employees from 12 to 24.

The new employees have done additional training to execute the new security methods and procedures, which can not be detailed for security reasons.