Canada's largest hub airport has introduced a high-tech way for frequent travelers to the U.S. to quickly move across the border.

The Nexus program introduced eye and fingerprint scanning devices to Pearson International Airport in Toronto on Monday. The self-serve Nexus electronic kiosks will help pre-approved travelers to bypass long lines at border security checkpoints.

"All Canadians or permanent residents may apply as long as they've lived in Canada for three years and they go through a background check and agree to be finger printed," Public Safety Minister Stockwell Day said.

"Then the (Nexus) card is made available."

The program is designed for business travelers who frequently cross the Canada-U.S. border. An applicant goes through a background check and has photos taken of both of their eyes. Scans of their fingerprints are also taken.

Once a person is approved, the applicant receives a card to use at the Nexus kiosks. The machines will ask travelers a few questions and do an iris and fingerprint scan. After a few minutes, the card holder is on their way.

"Some 48 per cent of all Canada-U.S. crossings are made by just 2 per cent of travelers," U.S. Consul General John Nay said.

"Think about how much time people can save with Nexus instead of waiting in lines."

Nexus was first tried at Vancouver International Airport. Since its inception, about 115,000 are members of the Nexus screening program.

Kiosks are now operating at Pearson Airport and six more Canadian airports are slated to have the system installed by summer 2007.

Getting a Nexus card costs $80 for adults. Children under 18 do not have to pay anything.

The new Nexus program comes at the same time as news that Canada has been told too beef-up airport security, cargo screening and training programs for airport staff across the country.

A 2005 report by the International Civil Aviation Organization, a UN agency based in Montreal, was given to Transport Canada. A heavily edited copy of the report was obtained by The Canadian Press.

Reviewers studied operations and security-related issues including passengers, baggage, in-flight measures, cargo and catering services.

Portions of the report were withheld under the Access to Information Act. But sections made available said that auditors found some training programs, such as those for aircraft operators and cargo-handling companies, were "not comprehensive and/or fully developed."

With a report from CTV's Janice Golding and files from The Canadian Press