Toronto Pearson, Canada's Largest Airport, Wins Billions Of Dollars For New Design And Construction

summary

Toronto Pearson Airport is undergoing major renovations to accommodate projected growth and improve the passenger experience through the LIFT initiative.
Large-scale investments create economic benefits and job opportunities, improving sustainability and global competitiveness.
With five runways and a diverse aviation network, Toronto Pearson serves as a vital link between Canada and the rest of the world.

Canada’s busiest airport, Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ), is undergoing a major renovation. With the latest announcement, the company will receive billions of dollars through 10 years of infrastructure upgrades facilitated through Pearson LIFT (Long-Term Investments in Facilities and Terminals Initiative). The first phase will begin immediately, with executives already working on the procurement process with design, construction and technology companies.

Overall, the plan aims to prepare Toronto Pearson Airport for rapid growth, with a population estimated to reach more than 65 million people by 2030. Clear signs of transformation include the modernization of airport assets and the development of high-speed taxi lanes. To help airports meet their net-zero targets, we will accelerate aircraft movement, upgrade airport lighting, improve temporary terminals and invest in alternative power generation.

Photo: Toronto Pearson International Airport

Located 22.5 kilometers (14 miles) from Toronto city centre, YYZ is the main hub for national carrier Air Canada and serves two other prominent Canadian carriers, WestJet and Air Canada. It also serves as the center of Transat. It began operations on August 29, 1938, 85 years ago.

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Canada’s economic interests

The Greater Toronto Airports Authority has repeatedly said its long-term investment in Pearson will generate “billions of dollars of economic benefits” for the region, according to Doug Allingham, chairman of the GTAA board. It also points out that as the airport develops, many jobs will be created both directly and indirectly. Deborah Flint, the authority’s president and chief executive officer, emphasized the vision: this sentence:

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“Through LIFT, we will deliver a world-class passenger experience, integrate smart architecture, unlock the digital potential of air travel, and move towards a net-zero future. “We are building an airport that strengthens global competitiveness, leverages innovation, and promotes sustainability, all based on our ambition to advance Canada’s economic interests.”

Photo: WorldStock | Shutterstock

Toronto Pearson offers direct flights to all major cities in Canada’s provinces, as well as an extensive international flight network. From May, this airport will be connected to all six inhabited continents. Sydney, Australia will return to the airport network, with Air Canada resuming service on May 1st.

5 runways

Toronto has five 200-foot-wide runways, three running east-west and two running north-south. The longest runway is 05/23, which is 11,120 feet (3,390 meters) long, and the airport welcomes Emirates A380s multiple times a week and can accommodate superjumbos at its two gates.

Photo: sockagphoto | Shutterstock

Considering Canada’s cold winters, the airport has a strong destination network to the southern states of the United States, the Caribbean, Central America and Latin America, primarily with Air Canada, Air Canada Rouge, Air Transat and San Francisco. Operated by Wing and WestJet. The airport is a base for Flair Airlines, Sunwing Airlines, and Canadian Airlines.