Border Kiosk Outage Causes Significant Delays at Canadian Airports

Border Kiosk Outage Caused Delays at Canadian Airports

On September 12, 2026, a system failure at Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) primary inspection kiosks led to significant delays for arriving travelers at Toronto Pearson International Airport and several other Canadian airports. While the outage caused longer wait times, the CBSA confirmed that there was no indication of a cyberattack. The disruption primarily affected the speed of processing rather than the admission of passengers with valid travel documents.

System Failure Slows Arrivals

The outage began around 3 p.m. on Friday, September 12, 2026, forcing arriving passengers into manual inspection lines. These kiosks are typically used for the initial stage of processing, including identity verification and traveler declarations. When the automated systems stopped working, border officers had to handle these tasks manually, leading to extended queues. The CBSA issued an apology for the inconvenience caused by the delays, stating that safety and security standards were maintained throughout the period.

The agency explained that the issue was a system failure, not a refusal to admit travelers with proper documentation. Although the process was slower, all arriving passengers still underwent the necessary border inspections before being allowed to leave the airport. The CBSA worked with airport authorities and airlines to manage the increased workload and expedite processing as much as possible.

Impacted Airports and Processing Changes

The disruption affected multiple airports across Ontario and Quebec. This included both terminals at Toronto Pearson, Toronto’s Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport, Hamilton’s John C. Munro International Airport, and Montreal–Trudeau International Airport. An additional eight international airports also experienced the kiosk outage.

The primary inspection kiosks are designed to streamline the initial border checks. Their failure meant that officers had to perform these checks at staffed counters, shifting the workload from automated machines to personnel. This change in procedure directly contributed to the longer processing times experienced by many travelers.

No Indication of Cyberattack

Despite the widespread nature of the outage, the Canada Border Services Agency was clear that the incident was not the result of a cyberattack. The agency stated it was investigating the cause of the system failure. The focus remained on restoring the kiosks and ensuring that border operations could return to normal efficiency. The priority was to minimize disruptions while upholding all necessary security protocols.

Kiosks Restored and Investigation Underway

The primary inspection kiosks were back online by Friday evening, with full functionality reportedly restored by early Saturday, September 13, 2026. The CBSA continued its investigation into the root cause of the system failure. During the outage, the agency’s objective was to expedite traveler processing, minimize delays, and complete all required verifications. Existing safety and security standards were upheld by the border officers throughout the disruption.

Travelers arriving at Canadian airports during similar disruptions should anticipate manual inspection lines and plan for extra time. It is advisable to carry all necessary travel documents, as a valid passport alone may not always fulfill every entry requirement.

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