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Airport Toronto (Canada) - Pearson International

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"Toronto Airport" redirects here. For other airports in Toronto, see List of airports in the Greater Toronto Area.
Toronto Pearson International Airport
Toronto/Lester B. Pearson International Airport
Pearson Airport

IATA: YYZ ICAO: CYYZ
Summary
Airport type Public
Owner Transport Canada[1]
Operator Greater Toronto Airports Authority (GTAA)
Serves Toronto, Ontario
Location Mississauga, Ontario
Elevation AMSL 569 ft / 173 m
Coordinates 43°4038N 079°3750W / 43.67722, -79.63056
Website www.gtaa.com
Runways
Direction Length Surface
ft m
05/23 11,120 3,389 Asphalt/Concrete
15L/33R 11,050 3,368 Asphalt
06L/24R 9,697 2,956 Asphalt
15R/33L 9,088 2,770 Asphalt
06R/24L 9,000 2,743 Asphalt
Statistics (2007)
Number of Passengers 31,507,349
Aircraft Movements 424,699
Source: Canada Flight Supplement[2]
Aircraft statistics from Transport Canada.[3]
Passengers from GTAA[4]

Lester B. Pearson International Airport, or Pearson Airport (IATA: YYZ, ICAO: CYYZ), located 27 kilometres (17 mi) west of downtown Toronto by road, in Mississauga, Ontario, is Canada's busiest airport[3] and part of the National Airports System.[5]

In 2006 the airport was ranked 29th among the world's busiest airports, handling 30.9 million passengers[4] and in 2007 the 21st busiest airport for aircraft movements with 425,513.[6] 505,000 tonnes of cargo also moved through the airport in 2006. The airport, serving the Greater Toronto Area (GTA), is the primary hub for Air Canada, as well as a major hub for WestJet, second only to Calgary. Formerly run by Transport Canada, Toronto Pearson International Airport is now run by a non-profit agency, the Greater Toronto Airports Authority through a 60-year lease with Transport Canada.

Contents

History

Malton Airport was created from farmland (9 properties) bought by the Toronto Harbour Commission in 1937. The early airport was bounded by Derry Road to the north, Airport Road (6th Line to the east), Elmbank Side Road to the south and Torbram Road (5th Line) to the west. The airport first opened in 1939 as Malton Airport, and served as a British Commonwealth Air Training Plan facility during World War II. Further growth saw the expropriation of land to the south of Elmbank Side Road and westwards past Torbram to Dixie Road. The airport eventually lead to the disappearance of the much of the town of Elmbank.

Malton Airport was renamed Toronto International Airport in 1960, and then to Lester B. Pearson International Airport (LBPIA) in 1984 in honour of Canada's 14th prime minister. On December 2, 1996, operational control of the airport passed from the Government of Canada to the Greater Toronto Airports Authority (GTAA) as part of the National Airports Policy. The operational name of the airport is now "Toronto Pearson International Airport" or "Toronto Pearson".

In 1972, the Canadian government expropriated land east of Toronto for a second major airport, Pickering Airport, to relieve congestion at (then) Toronto International. The project was postponed in 1975 due partly to community opposition, but the government of Canada revived the plans in 2001.

After the September 11, 2001 attacks, Toronto Pearson was part of Operation Yellow Ribbon, as it received 19 of the diverted flights that were coming into the United States, even though Transport Canada and NAV CANADA instructed pilots to avoid the airport as a security measure.

In 2006, Toronto Pearson was selected as the "Best Global Airport 2006" by the Institute of Transport Management (ITM).[7] The ITM is an organization formed in the United Kingdom in 1977 with the express aim of providing further education and information to transport managers.

Airport development program

On January 30, 2007 the airport development program (ADP) at Toronto Pearson airport was completed. January 29 was the last day of service for Terminal 2, and Pier F of the Terminal 1 opened on January 30 to take its place. The operator of the airport, the GTAA, invested CAN$4.4 billion over the preceding 10 years into the ADP which has focused on terminal development, airside development, infield development, utilities and airport support facilities.

Terminal development

The main component of the ADP has been terminal development. The ADP has replaced the old terminals 1 and 2 with a larger and more modern new Terminal 1. This terminal, along with Terminal 3 are now the two passenger terminal facilities at Toronto Pearson. Terminal 1 has been constructed in a way that will allow for future expansion. Future projections see Toronto Pearson handling 50 million passengers annually by 2020, and Terminal 1 will be expanded as needed to service the passengers.

Airside and infield development

In order to ensure that Toronto Pearson is able to accommodate its growing aircraft volume, substantial redevelopment of the airside and infield systems has taken place. Cargo facilities have been centralized and two new runways have been built to increase the number of aircraft that Toronto Pearson can process. A north-south runway, 15R/33L, was added and completed in 1997. The other runway is an east-west runway, 06R/24L, that was added and completed in 2002.[8]

Transportation to and from Pearson

Car

The airport is accessible from Highway 427 (just north of the Highway 401 interchange) or from Highway 409, a spur off Highway 401 leading directly into the airport. Airport Road to the east is another access road to the airport.

Bus

Bus services connecting Toronto to Pearson Airport include Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) routes, The 192 Airport Rocket route provides all-day accessible express bus service between Kipling Station on the Bloor-Danforth Subway Line and Pearson Airport. The 58A Malton route provides all-day bus service between Lawrence West Station on the Spadina Subway Line and Pearson Airport. This route also continues beyond the airport to Malton. The following two routes are available between the (approximate) hours of 2:00 a.m. and 6:00 a.m. daily. The 300A Bloor-Danforth route provides overnight bus service along Danforth Avenue and Bloor Street to Toronto Pearson. The 307 Eglinton West route provides overnight bus service between Yonge Street and Eglinton Avenue and Toronto Pearson. GO Transit operates a semi-express bus from York Mills and Yorkdale stations. In May 2008, GO transit added service from Richmond Hill and Square One to Pearson. There is a privately operated "Airport Express" (Pacific Western) bus serving various major downtown hotels. Mississauga Transit operates the 7 bus from its City Centre Transit Terminal at Square One Shopping Centre, likewise continuing on to Malton.

Can-ar Coach Service also runs buses to the airport. For more information, see Greyhound Canada's web site.

Toronto Airport Express
Main article: Pacific Western Transportation

In Toronto, P. W. Transportation operates airport shuttle buses between downtown locations and Pearson Airport under the Toronto Airport Express brand.[9]

Taxis/Limousines

Toronto Pearson International Airport has pick-up locations for taxis, limos, out-of-town bus and/or shuttle services, offering transportation to downtown Toronto, cities throughout Ontario, and into Detroit.

Blue22 dedicated rail link
Main article: Blue22

Although the airport is near an existing railway line, it is not currently served by trains. On November 13, 2003, Union Pearson AirLink Group, a subsidiary of SNC-Lavalin, was selected to finance, design, construct, operate, and maintain a rail link connecting Toronto Pearson with Toronto's Union Station, with a planned travel time of about twenty minutes. The service, to be called Blue22, is expected to eliminate 1.5 million car trips annually. The project, whose cost is estimated at $300-500 million, remains controversial due to opposition from neighbourhoods along the route.

The project will depend on the results of an environmental assessment and decisions from the Government of Canada.

Terminals and airlines

Toronto Pearson International Airport currently has two operating terminals: Terminal 1 and Terminal 3. T1 opened on April 6, 2004. The old Terminal 1, which closed simultaneously, was demolished to make room for additional gates at Pier E. Pier F at Terminal 1, which has an enlarged end called "Hammerhead F", opened on January 30, 2007 to replace Terminal 2. This pier is for international traffic and adds 7 million passengers per year to the airport's total capacity. By the end of 2008, Terminal 2 will be completely torn down to make way for additional Piers at the new T1. Redevelopment of the airport was a logistical challenge as the existing terminals remained operational throughout construction and demolition.

Toronto Pearson International Airport is one of eight Canadian airports that has United States border preclearance facilities. US Border Pre-clearance is located in both Terminal 1 and Terminal 3.

LINK Train
LINK Train
Terminal 1
Terminal 3
Viscount
Main article: LINK Train

In July 2006, the automated LINK Train people mover was opened, with two 6-car trains running between Terminals 1 and 3, and a reduced rate and airport staff parking lot on the other side of Airport Road at Viscount Drive.

Current terminals

Terminal 1

Terminal 1 is designed to handle domestic, international and transborder flights in one facility. The Terminal features three piers: Piers D and E with 38 gates (opened November 1, 2005) and Pier F with 23 gates (opened January 30, 2007). Pier F serves transborder and international flights, replacing Terminal 2 and the Infield Terminal (IFT). A Pier G is slated to be built in the future if demand warrants.[10]

The terminal was designed by Skidmore, Owings and Merrill International Ltd., Adamson Associates Architects, and Moshe Safdie and Associates.

Terminal 1 has 58 gates: 101, 103, 105, 107-112, 120, 122, 124, 126, 128, 131-145, 151, 153, 155, 157, 160-163, 164A-164B, 165, 166A-166B, 167-181, 191, 193.

The following airlines use Terminal 1:

Infield Terminal (IFT)

Constructed during 2001/02, and opened on April 6, 2003, the IFT was built to handle traffic displaced during the Terminal 1 development. The IFT has 11 gates (521 to 531), and is currently not in use. It will be reactivated once passenger demand rises to a point where Terminal 1 needs to be expanded again. The GTAA has also discussed using the Infield Terminal for high-security flights, such as flights to the Middle East and India. It is frequently used as a location for film and television shoots.

East Holdroom

The east holdroom was added in 1990 and originally served as a satellite terminal for Terminal 2, handling mostly short-haul transborder flights for Air Ontario and later, Air Canada Jazz. Although it can only accommodate approximately twelve turbo-prop aircraft, the east holdroom has been designated all of Terminal 2's former gate numbers (200-299) and will remain in operation until further expansion of Terminal 1. The east holdroom was originally accessed by shuttle bus from Terminal 2, but is now accessed by a shuttle bus from Terminal 1 after clearing the US Border Pre-clearance facility.

Terminal 3

Terminal 3, which opened on Thursday February 21, 1991, was built to offset traffic from the old Terminal 1 and Terminal 2. Terminal 3 was initially advertised as "Trillium Terminal 3" and "The Trillium Terminal". It was built as a private venture and was a state of the art terminal containing, among other things, a US customs pre-clearance facility. A parking garage and a hotel (formerly Swissôtel, now Sheraton) is located across from the terminal. A bridge walkway conveniently connects the terminal to the hotel and parking garage. In 1997 the GTAA purchased Terminal 3, shortly thereafter implementing a C$350 million expansion.[citation needed]

The GTAA Terminal 3 Redevelopment Team (T3RD) was formed to oversee the terminal expansion.[13] In 2004, the Pier C Expansion opened. In June 2006, the East Processor Extension (EPE) started operations. With a soaring, undulating roofline, the EPE added 40 new check-in counters, new retail space, more secure 'hold-screening' for baggage and a huge picture window offering one of the most convenient apron viewing locations at the airport. Improved Canadian Border services and a more open arrivals hall were included in Phase I of the expansion. Phase II of the EPE has been completed in 2007 and includes larger security screening areas and additional international baggage claim areas. Due for completion by late 2007 is the West Processor Expansion Shell with complete outfitting to be complete by early 2008.[14]

Terminal 3 has 38 gates: A2-A6, B7-B8, B10-B23, C24-C41

The following airlines use Terminal 3:

Former terminals

Malton Airport Terminal

The first airport terminal was built in 1938 by the Toronto Harbour Commission and consisted of a standard frame terminal building from a converted farm house. The original airport covered 420 acres (1.7 km²) with full lighting, radio, weather reporting equipment, two hard surface runways and one grass landing strip.

The airport was sold to the City of Toronto in 1940 and used as a military training airport. In 1942 an air traffic control centre was added to Malton.

A second building, similar to the existing structure at the Toronto City Centre Airport, was built to replace the old terminal in 1949 and was able to handle 400,000 passengers a year. Further additional enlarged the terminal building. It had an observation deck on the roof the building.

Both this building and the original converted farmhouse were located along Airport Road.

The second terminal was demolished in the late 1960s to make way for the old T1 building. In 1958 Transport Canada took control over Toronto Airport from the City.

The runways for Malton consisted of:

Terminal 1 (Original)

The original T1 (also called Aeroquay One) had a square central structure topped by a parking garage with about eight levels and ringed by a two-storey passenger concourse leading to the gates. It was designed by John B. Parkin and built between 1957 and 1964. Considered state-of-the-art in the 1960s, the terminal was soon overloaded by the early 1970s, resulting in the building of Terminal 2. A tunnel to T2 was located on the southeast side of the terminal. The old T1 has since been demolished to make way for the new T1.

Statistics for old T1:

Airlines that flew out of old T1:

Terminal 2

Designed by John B. Parkin and constructed as a freight terminal in the late 1960s, the failed development of the Pickering Airport forced Pearson Airport to modify its use into a two floor, 26-gate passenger terminal designated Terminal 2; it opened on June 15, 1972. Initially, it was served only by charter airlines, but became the hub for all Air Canada passenger flights on April 29, 1973. A tunnel with moving sidewalks at the northwest corner of Terminal 2 connected it with Terminal 1.

The site of Terminal 2 was to have been the location for the planned Aeroquays Two and Three, duplicates of the design of the original Terminal 1 (Aeroquay One), however their inefficiency in handling wide-body passenger aircraft by the late 1960s forced the airport to abandon the circular terminal concept. Terminal Two was designed for three airlines: American, British Overseas Airways Corporation (BOAC), and Canadian Pacific Airlines (CP Air). In the later development stages, it became apparent that it would not be viable in this form, the major complaint being the lack of indoor parking and the lack of windows. As AA, BA (formerly BOAC) and CP opted out of T2, Air Canada, as the government airline, was forced to move its operations there against its will. Initially, it was operated as three separate areas, befitting the three airlines for which it was designed: furthest west, (designed for CP) the Domestic zone; at the centre (designed for BA), International; furthest east, (for AA) Transborder. In the late 1970s, T2 was redesigned again; this iteration lasting until the acquisition of Canadian Airlines in 2000. The western zone remained Domestic, but was now colour coded red. In the middle, a separate Rapidair area, was created for YOW (Ottawa) and YUL (Montreal) flights; it was red as well. East of that was the Transborder area, colour white. A new section was added on the east end for International flights and was coded blue. An airside corridor along the southern edge of T2 was added, giving access to and from Customs; this made it possible for aircraft arriving in one zone to depart with passengers from an another zone without regating the aircraft.

Statistics for T2:

Terminal 2 had a US border preclearance facility and handled both domestic and international transborder traffic to the US from the 1970s to the early 2000s. After T1-New became operational, domestic traffic moved from T2 to that facility, leaving T2 to handle transborder US traffic for Air Canada and their Star Alliance partner United Airlines.

T2 saw its last day in operation as a passenger terminal on January 29, 2007 and the following day airlines moved to the newly completed Pier F at Terminal 1. Terminal 2 will now be demolished from April 2007 to November 2008.[17]

Terminal 3

Terminal 3 was the designation for the CP Air hangar at the airport during 1971 to handle the increased volume at Terminal 1.

Support

Cargo and Business Aviation

There are two main cargo facilities at Pearson[18]

Tenants of the cargo area of the north aviation facilities include:

FedEx Canada Cargo occupy facilities at west side of airport near runway 05/23.

North Business Aviation Area

Next to the cargo terminals off Derry Road is refer to as the North Business Aviation Area. It is home to several tenants:

Other tenants

Accidents and incidents

Accidents at the airport

Accidents and incidents involving aircraft arriving and departing the airport

Famous Visitors

Criticism

Toronto Pearson International Airport is criticized by many airline companies for their high landing fees; thus leading to a few smaller airlines, such as WestJet to move to the John C. Munro Hamilton International Airport, about 80 kilometres from the Toronto city centre.

Many passengers also complain about the airport for their high airport taxes, few amenities and terrible service. Many passengers get frustrated by the baggage claim wait, which on average takes up to 45 minutes. Also, many are unsatisfied with the carts requiring money, and the expensive parking service at Pearson. There are some that complain about the terrible management of the airport, most notably during the Air France Flight 358 crash when passengers whom were left stranded at the airport after the crash was subjected to a 6 hour wait at the airport before they can be reunited with their families. [24]. [25]

See also

Wikimedia Commons has media related to:
Toronto Pearson International Airport

References

  1. ^ Airport Divestiture Status Report
  2. ^ Canada Flight Supplement. Effective 0901Z 31 July 2008 to 0901Z 25 September 2008
  3. ^ a b - Aircraft Movement Statistics: NAV CANADA Towers and Flight Service Stations: Annual Report 2007
  4. ^ a b Passenger Statistics 2007
  5. ^ Airports in the national airports category
  6. ^ Traffic Movements 2006 FINAL from Airports Council International
  7. ^ Greater Toronto Airport Authority - Toronto Pearson Voted "Best Global Airport 2006" by the Institute of Transport Management - Oct 30, 2006
  8. ^ http://gtaa.com/local/files/en/Corporate/Publications/MasterPlan-2008/MP%20-%20Chapter%205%20-%20The%20Airside%20System.pdf
  9. ^ Toronto Airport Express
  10. ^ Changes to Toronto's Terminal 1 design improve passenger flow and visibility, adds handling space
  11. ^ Air China to Add Flights to Toronto, Rome, 10 Cities
  12. ^ Turkish airlines add new destinations
  13. ^ Toronto Pearson Today March-April
  14. ^ Toronto Pearson Today July-August
  15. ^ Flight Status
  16. ^ http://c3dsp.westjet.com/guest/destinations/ourDestinations.jsp
  17. ^ CTV News
  18. ^ Cargo Facilities Page
  19. ^ Wilkes, Jim (July 6, 2004) "Ghosts of Flight 621 haunt Brampton field", Toronto Star. Accessed July 6, 2007.
  20. ^ CBS News Special Report - Air France Flight crashes in Toronto, Canada. (Video)
  21. ^ TSBC Aviation Investigation Report A05H0002, ISBN-13 978-0-662-47298-8; in PDF (also available in HTML), section 3.1.
  22. ^ [1]
  23. ^ Airport (Toronto), George Hunter
  24. ^ Mayday Episode: Miracle Escape with passenger interview
  25. ^ [2]

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