Toronto Pearson to welcome 9.8M passengers this summer

Canada's largest airport to welcome an average of 150,000 passengers per day in busiest season

TORONTO, June 28, 2017 /CNW/ - In a busy season for travel, Canada's largest airport is prepared to welcome nearly ten million passengers between Canada Day and Labour Day. Heading into celebrations for Canada's 150^th anniversary, Toronto Pearson International Airport plans to welcome an average 150,000 passengers per day in July and August.

With Fridays and Mondays typically the busiest travel days this summer, Toronto Pearson projects that it will see its highest daily passenger volume on the four Fridays in the month of August:

•	August 18	157,558
•	August 4	157,502
•	August 11	157,496
•	August 25	157,494

"As Canadians prepare to celebrate the 150^th anniversary of the founding of our nation, demand for air travel through Canada's largest city continues to grow," said Hillary Marshall, Vice President of Communications and Stakeholder Relations, Greater Toronto Airports Authority. "With daily traffic averaging more than 150,000 passengers, the airlines and agencies that support this passenger growth at Toronto Pearson continue to work together to prepare for the busiest summer in the airport's history. While this collaboration is important, we continue to recognize the need for additional government support of these critical functions to ensure a world-class standard of service for our passengers."

Toronto Pearson continues to make significant investment in services and processes to ensure travel through the airport is efficient and enjoyable. Automation of passenger processes continues in 2017, with 16 new automated baggage drops, 65 additional border crossing kiosks and the first security screening checkpoint to use updated CATSA Plus technology. CATSA Plus, a series of process improvements to speed passenger efficiency through security screening, is now available at Terminal 1, U.S. departures, and will be rolled out to all airport checkpoints in the next three years.

Passengers arriving this summer will also enjoy a true taste of Canadian culture with YYZ Live, Toronto Pearson's signature entertainment program, which debuted on June 26. Produced in partnership with the City of Toronto, YYZ Live features a summer full of musical entertainment, with 150 performances from a curated list of local artists. Performances are held twice daily, at 7:00 and 8:00 p.m. For a full schedule of YYZ Live musicians, visit the YYZ Live site.

Toronto Pearson Tips for Easier Summer Travel

• Check in online from home or on your mobile device
• Arrive at least two hours before a domestic flight, and three hours before an international flight
• Reserve parking in advance to guarantee a spot and to take advantage of promotional offers
• Prepare travel documents well in advance, and keep them easily accessible through check in, security screening and customs processes
• Pack smart and dress for security screening. CATSA, the agency responsible for security screening at Toronto Pearson and all Canadian airports, has comprehensive information and tips on their website: catsa.gc.ca/whatcanIbring

For information on airport operations, travellers are encouraged to follow @torontopearson on Twitter. 

About Toronto Pearson
Greater Toronto Airports Authority (GTAA) is the operator of Toronto Pearson International Airport. Toronto Pearson is focused on becoming the best airport in the world; enhancing the passenger experience, safety, security, supports the success of our airline partners. With more than 44 million passengers in 2016, Toronto Pearson is Canada's largest airport and second busiest North American international airport.

The area around Toronto Pearson is the second-largest employment zone in Canada; it facilitates more than 6 per cent of Ontario's GDP and directly employs 49,000 people. Toronto Pearson believes being a good neighbour means balancing operations by engaging with communities that surround the airport. It strives to have a positive impact by investing in social good and community-building initiatives through its community investment program, The Propeller Project.

For more information please visit Toronto Pearson on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram.

SOURCE Greater Toronto Airports Authority

GTAA Media Office | [email protected] | [phone]