Vancouver airport to examine security and arrivals policies

Officials at Vancouver International Airport say they will change the way the airport handles international passengers and securityafter a Polish immigrant diedafter he was stunned by an RCMP Taser.

"It was a tragic event that happened and we want to learn from that," said Paul Levy, the vice-president of airport operations on Monday, "We think it's appropriate that where we can improve and make changes, we will do that."

Levy said the Vancouver Airport Authority is taking a second look at its policies to prevent similar incidents, after the release of video showing the death ofRobert Dziekanski, whowashit bya Taser joltin the international arrivals area of the airport.

"I think there is a lot of concern out there in the public. I know there is. And we share those concerns and take them seriously," said Levy. "So it's important for us that we look at all of that and that people are confident that they can use Vancouver International Airport."

On Monday,CBC News reported that two Chilean teenage girls who did not speak English cancelled their B.C. vacation because they were scared to land at the airport after seeing the video of Dziekanski's death in the international arrivals lounge.

But more than a month after the Taser incident, Levywon't say exactly what policies the airport will change, only that they have been examining a number of broad areas, including training for security guards and staff, language services and the use of security cameras.

Levy said he's been on the receiving end of a lot of public backlash over the incident and the airport authority plans to release more information on the changes on Friday.

Meanwhile, close to the spot where Dziekanski died there's a growing pile of flowers, pictures and cards left by the public following a memorial at the airport on Saturday.

Airline passenger Robert Wills walked past the memorial on his way through the international arrivals area, after disembarking from his flight from San Diego.

"I expect that before 2010 we will have a positive outcome to this and a commitment to do better. I hope that we can get that from the airport authority," said Willis.

On Monday the provincial government reversed its position that a public inquiry into the incident and the use of Tasers in B.C. was not necessary.

Premier Gordon Campbellapologized to Dziekanski's mother, Zofia Cisowski, for the death of her son, and the solicitor general has called a public inquiry.

Meanwhile Public Safety Minister Stockwell Day said Tuesdaya report by the Canada Border Services Agency thatincludes recommendations on how to better deal with immigration incidents will be released later this week.

The Canada Border Services Agency has not yet commented on what happened during the 10-hour period that Dziekanski was in the secure customs and immigration area after his flight arrived.