(Toronto) The Toronto Airport Authority has announced a multi-billion dollar plan to update and modernize Toronto Pearson Airport.
The Greater Toronto Airports Authority (GTAA) announced Friday that it has launched the first phase of a procurement process for ILIA at Pearson, a plan intended to help the airport meet growing demand for its services.
“This is the very beginning of a decade-long investment in our facilities and terminals across the airport,” said AAGT President and CEO Deborah Flint.
“After many, many years, during which we have had tired and aging assets throughout the airport facilities, we will systematically invest in them to not only return them to good condition, but also to position them for the future. “future,” she added.
Pearson welcomed 45 million passengers in 2023 and is expected to welcome about 65 million annually by the early 2030s, AAGT said in a news release.
“Toronto Pearson Airport has responded to passenger needs by deploying extraordinary resources to many of its aging facilities, which is not a sustainable solution with passenger traffic expected to (grow),” said the Toronto Airport Authority.
“Growth is coming to Pearson. It manifests itself in the global aviation industry and throughout North America,” said Mr.me Flint.
ILIA, which stands for Long-Term Investment in Facilities and Terminals, will begin with a program focused on “the fundamentals,” Mr.me Flint.
The program will see the upgrade of existing airport assets, including high-speed taxi lanes, the upgraded airfield control and electric lighting system and temporary terminal facilities, in addition to investment in the electricity production to progress towards carbon neutrality objectives.
These are the improvements that AAGT is beginning to make acquisitions for, while other projects are in preliminary planning stages, said Ms.me Flint.
She highlighted that ILIA has been significantly entrenched in the challenges of recent years, as an increase in air traffic has led to delays across the sector.
“We are very committed to ensuring that Toronto Pearson […] does not face past challenges that would harm its growth and competitiveness,” she said.
In the long term, Mme Flint said she expects moderate increases in Pearson airport improvement fees, given the levels of those fees at other airports across the country.
The plan is poised to generate billions of dollars in economic impact, AAGT President Doug Allingham said in the release.
“These necessary investments will strengthen the supply chain, open the door to new opportunities for Canadian businesses and create good jobs right here in the Greater Toronto Area,” he said. Overall, they will promote sustainable growth and global competitiveness. »
Earlier this month, Aéroports de Montréal announced plans to spend nearly $4 billion over four years to reduce congestion and increase capacity.
Planned improvements at Montreal-Trudeau International Airport include a widened roadway beyond the main entrance, new parking lots and drop-off areas, a satellite terminal and connections to the REM.