Canada’s largest and busiest airport says it’s ready for the upcoming holiday travel season and is sharing tips to help passengers make their way smoothly through Toronto Pearson. Pearson, as well as Vancouver/YVR and other Canadian airports, ran into plenty of winter issues last year. “The holidays are an exciting time, and Toronto Pearson is proud to play a big part in connecting people with loved ones around the world,” said Deborah Flint, President and CEO, Greater Toronto Airports Authority. “This year, we’ve taken significant steps to enhance our winter operational capabilities to prepare for the holidays. “The GTAA is Read more
crowded airports
Experts are warning Canadians that travel is about to get very busy again. And they say we need to be prepared. “Yes, I am getting many requests for bookings,” Toronto-based travel advisor Amy Urquhart of Pure Magic Vacations told me. “People are still looking to book getaways for March Break and into later spring and summer. The demand is overwhelming at times.” “As far as bookings go, I am well above where I was in the same time period of 2019 pre-pandemic,” said Canadian travel agent Brenda Slater, an Ontario agent and Travel Concierge with Beyond The Beach. “The 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
I’ve flown several times so far this summer, and it’s been better than I expected. But I have a couple advantages, including a Nexus card that gets me in a faster lineup at security and a MUCH faster lineup at U.S. Customs when I’m flying from Canada. Still, there are a few things to keep in mind if you’re flying any time soon. Here a few thoughts. Do NOT check your bag unless you absolutely have to. You’ll probably save money (unless you’re a frequent flyer program member with status, most airlines will make you pay for a checked bag), Read more
The Trudeau government says it’s adding more airport screening officers and customs workers to help ease congestion at Canada’s crowded airports. Senior federal ministers issued a statement late Friday to say that the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority (CATSA) “has been working with its contractors to increase the number of screening officers at passenger screening checkpoints. Currently, there are approximately 400 additional screening officers in different phases of their training across the country who will be deployed between now and the end of June.” With Transport Canada’s support, “these recruits will benefit from progressing more quickly through a more flexible Read more
