WestJet Airlines aircraft

WestJet passengers flying out of Ottawa International Airport can no longer use their credit card to check in after Canada's second-largest airline announced Wednesday it was disabling its kiosk credit card readers across the country.

The move comes in the wake of a reported investigation by credit card companies into the security of data inputted into the 150 self-serve check-ins at Toronto's Pearson International Airport. Media reports say financial institutions that issue credit cards found isolated patterns of fraud on the cards of people who travelled through the Toronto airport.

Travellers will still be able to check themselves in with other information, such as a reservation number.

Unlike the Toronto airport, which has a common check-in kiosk network for various airlines, the kiosks at the Ottawa airport are operated by individual airlines, said Krista Kealey, the Ottawa International Airport Authority's vice-president of communications and public affairs.

However, the Ottawa airport has plans to introduce a common-use kiosk system and will be seeking assurances that the alleged security breach in Toronto will not be an issue in Ottawa.

"We'll be rolling out our kiosk program, but obviously we won't be bringing it online until we are assured by the service provider that there is absolutely no problem," said Ms. Kealey.

Currently, WestJet, Air Canada and Porter Airlines have check-in kiosks in Ottawa, said Ms. Kealey.