A man stands inside a body scanner at Schiphol airport in the Netherlands. Canadian Transport Minister John Baird has announced a hike in airport fees to match higher security costs. (Cynthia Boll/Associated Press)

Air travellers will pay higher fees to cover the costs of new security measures and technology, the federal government announced Thursday.

Transport Minister John Baird said the government will put up $1.5 billion over the next five years to tighten security.

To cover the costs, fees for travellers will rise by $2.50 for a one-way flight in Canada, by $4.37 for transborder flights and by $8.91 for international routes.

John Baird points to a member of the media during his announcement at the Ottawa Airport on Thursday. (Pawel Dwulit/Canadian Press)

"The cost should be borne by those who use these services, not all taxpayers," Baird said.

The $1.5 billion will be used for improving technologies and for body scanners, security staff, explosives detection and passenger observation throughout Canada's 89 airports. Security will also be improved in other airport operations such as the screening of airport staff.

The new security charge is a user fee, not a tax, Baird said. However, Thomas Mulcair, the deputy NDP, begged to differ.

"A tax is a tax is a tax," Mulcair said in an interview. "They're trying to jazz it up as something other than what it is. It's a simple tax."

Mulcair said the measure comes at a bad time for struggling companies.

"The government's making it harder and harder for the airlines and the tourism industries to do business."

The Liberals also criticized the Conservative government for raising the tax, especially while Parliament is on a break.

Norm Payne, a senior consultant for Uniglobe Travel, predicts travellers will soon tire of the hikes.

"People's patience to pay taxes is just like the runway," he said. "At some point, it ends."

"If you take a flight from here to London tonight, the price of the ticket is $764. The taxes are $394. If you add another $8 or $10 for the [security] tax, that means the tax is half the price of the ticket."

Baird also announced a full review into the spending and effectiveness of the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority. He assured full transparency and accountability for all money spent during the safety overhaul.

The security authority will submit an annual report to the transport committee in an effort to ensure the effectiveness and structure of the Crown corporation.

'Full transparency and accountability'

"I understand that new charges are not welcome, but they are necessary to keep travellers safe," Baird said.

The new measures were prompted by the Christmas Day attempts by a Nigerian man to blow up a Detroit-bound flight.

"We need to respond to the American measures that have been put into place," Baird said.

The changes are to go into effect April 1 if Parliament approves the fee increase.

With files from The Canadian Press