Canada’s largest—and probably its least loved—airport is promising billions of dollars worth of improvements. But officials aren’t revealing much in the way of details just yet.
The Greater Toronto Airports Authority (GTAA) says it has launched a YYZ improvement program called Pearson LIFT (Long-term Investment in Facilities and Terminals). The first part of the plan will focus on modernizing airport assets, including high speed taxi lanes to improve airfield performance, modernized airfield electric lighting and control system, interim terminal facilities, and investments in power generation to advance towards net-zero targets.
Deborah Flint, president and CEO of the GTAA, said she expects some moderate increases in Pearson’s Airport Improvement Fee, in consideration of the levels of such fees at other airports in the country, Canadian Press reports.
Departing YYZ passengers currently pay a $35 improvement fee (plus applicable taxes), while connecting pax pay $7 plus tax. The fees are included in the cost of an airline ticket.
“This is the very beginning of what will be a decade-long investment in our facilities and our terminals across the airport,” she said.
"We're very committed to making sure that Toronto Pearson ... is not going to experience the challenges of the past that will hinder its growth and competitiveness. After many, many years, where we have had tired and aged assets across the airport facility, we'll be systematically investing in those, investing in them to bring them up to not just a state of great repair, but positioning them for the future,” Flint said.
Earlier this month, YUL officials said they plan to spend some $4 billion to reduce congestion and increase capacity.
In its 2017 Master Plan, YYZ executives said their aim “is to become the best airport in the world. As we evolve into a top-tier global hub, we expect to connect Canada to more than 80 per cent of the global economy – creating additional jobs, fuelling exports and attracting foreign investment.”
“LIFT is a capital plan spanning more than a decade, investing billions of dollars into Toronto Pearson’s facility through several construction programs aimed at preparing Canada’s largest airport for the challenges and opportunities of the coming years and beyond,” officials said.
YYZ executives say they launched the first phase of a procurement process on 12APR at an industry forum for 700 participants from design, construction, and technology industry companies. No timeline or precise dollar figures have been provided.
“Toronto Pearson has been meeting passenger needs by deploying extraordinary resources to many of its aged assets and facilities, which is not a sustainable solution with passenger traffic expected to grow to approximately 65 million annually by the early 2030s – a figure that takes the airport beyond its 45 million passengers in 2023,” airport officials said.
“Through LIFT, we will deliver a world-class passenger experience, integrate smart architecture, unlock the digital potential in air travel, and advance towards a net-zero future,” said Flint. “These plans are anchored to our ambition to build an airport that will strengthen international competitiveness, leverage innovation, and advance sustainability, all which drive economic returns for Canada.”
