Toronto Pearson says it’s made a dramatic turnaround in on-time performance, baggage handling and other issues. A year ago, headlines around the world blared that Canada’s biggest airport was a disaster. It’s wait times were listed as the worst in the world. But the Greater Toronto Airports Authority (GTAA) says it has made remarkable improvements, and that this summer is a very different story. GTAA President and Chief Executive Officer Deborah Flint today provided a YYZ mid-summer performance update. “Since last summer, Toronto Pearson has tangibly improved passenger experience across its operations, implemented digital innovations and bolstered staffing. These advancements Read more
Canada Customs
Toronto Pearson Airport Says It Has Turned Things Around, Sunwing Boosts Winter Flights to Caribbean
Toronto Pearson Airport passenger traffic nearly doubled in the first quarter of this year. The Greater Toronto Airports Authority Passenger activity significantly increased by 4.8 million or 90.4 per cent to 10.0 million during the first quarter of 2023, when compared to the same period of 2022. Passenger activity increased due to the pent-up travel demand and the removal of pandemic-related government travel restrictions that existed during the first quarter of 2022. During the first quarter of 2023, passenger activity recovered to 86.0 per cent of the first quarter of 2019 passenger activity. “Strong growth in passenger traffic continuing into Read more
Canada this year saw travel volumes rebound in step with the removal of COVID-19 border restrictions with 50 million travellers seeking entry to Canada, an increase of 267% from 2021. The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) today said it also prevented 1,009 firearms (compared to 908 in 2021 – an increase of 11%), and 37,749 kilograms of illicit drugs (compared to 21,968 in 2021 – an increase 72%) and other dangerous goods from entering Canadian communities. The CBSA says it has worked hard “to facilitate the free flow of people and goods, support the immigration system, and stop firearms and Read more
The head of the Greater Toronto Airports Authority says things are gradually getting better in several key areas at Toronto Pearson. Deborah Flint, President and Chief Executive Officer of the GTAA, said today that Canada’s busiest airport is “seeing measurable improvements in flight delays, cancellations, baggage delivery and wait times. “The aviation system worldwide is facing a perfect storm as it strives to improve operations in the aftermath of COVID-19. But the industry is rebounding, and the metrics we are sharing today show how working with our partners is yielding results,” she said. While acknowledging the difficulties faced this summer, Read more
The Trudeau government says it’s continuing to work at easing crowding and other problems at Canadian airports, and that senior officials met with Toronto Pearson Airport management this week. It doesn’t appear to be helping, as cancellations and delays remain about what they were a week ago. FlightAware.com reports 33 flights were cancelled at Pearson on Wednesday, roughly 5% of all flights. Another 242 departing flights were delayed, about 40%. It wasn’t a lot better at Montreal Trudeau, where seven flights (2%) were cancelled and 123 flights (39%) were delayed. Here’s a statement they issued today: The Minister of Transport, Read more