Toronto Pearson releases important information for travellers ahead of 'very busy' holiday season
Toronto Pearson International Airport re-opened its second busiest runway Monday morning following an eight-month rehabilitation project.
“As the busiest airport in Canada and one of the busiest in North America, the return of this runway at Pearson Airport will keep air passengers moving safely and smoothly in and out of the GTA,” Canada’s Transport Minister Omar Alghabra said in a news release.
And just in time for the holiday season too.
A spokesperson for the Greater Toronto Airport Authority (GTAA) tells CTV News Toronto the holidays tend to be “very busy”, especially for families.
Throughout the summer, Pearson travellers were met with hours-long flight delays, long lines, or missing suitcases. Outside of once being named the world’s worst airport for delays, Pearson ranked among the five worst airports in the continent for overall customer satisfaction in September.
Since then, the GTAA says it has worked with airlines and government partners to “improve the travel experience.”
“We’ve seen great improvements since [the] summer given the coordinated work of Pearson and airport partners to smooth the passenger experience,” Tori Gass of the GTAA said in an emailed statement.
“This work is ongoing and we expect the improvements to continue over the holiday travel period.”
Some of that work, according to Gass, includes working with the airlines ahead of time to make sure “they balance their activity with their resources.”
TRAVEL TIPS FOR THE HOLIDAYS
Anyone who is jetting away for the holidays is advised to give themselves extra time and arrive early at the airport.
Gass recommends those flying domestically to come two hours before their flight leaves, while international travellers are suggested to arrive three hours ahead of time.
According to Gass, there are a few websites and apps Pearson passengers can use in hopes of making their travel day run smoothly.
To book a spot in the security line, travellers can go online to YYZ Express first to reserve their screening time. Fliers can also see all of the airport wait times throughout Pearson from check-in to customs on the wait time dashboard.
Travellers who are looking to book a flight when it's not busy can look at Pearson’s peak travel times to get an idea of what hours aren’t the busiest, as it's based on historical travel data at the Toronto airport.
If your travels are taking you south of the border to the United States, fliers can download the Mobile Passport Control app backed by U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
Eligible travellers can submit their passport information online and fill out their customs declaration form before crossing the border.
There is also the advance declaration feature in the ArriveCan app, where travellers can put in their customs information up to 72 hours before their flight back home. Gass says this “can make the arrivals process smoother.”
Lastly, Gass advises travellers to be “mindful” of the weather during this time of year, as it can impact travel.
“During winter weather, passengers may experience delays as we prioritize safety,” Gass said. “We advise them to check the weather forecast ahead of their flight and be prepared in case their flight is affected.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Person engulfed in flames outside N.Y. courthouse where Trump trial underway, says CNN
A person was covered in flames outside the New York courthouse where former President Donald Trump's criminal hush money trial is underway, CNN reported on Friday.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.
Senators reject field trip to African Lion Safari amid elephant bill study
The Senate legal affairs committee has rejected a motion calling for members to take a $50,000 field trip to the African Lion Safari in southern Ontario to see the zoo's elephant exhibit.
CFIA monitoring for avian flu in Canadian dairy cattle after U.S. discoveries
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency is encouraging veterinarians to keep an eye out for signs of avian influenza in dairy cattle following recent discoveries of cases of the disease in U.S. cow herds.
She set out to find a husband in a year. Then she matched with a guy on a dating app on the other side of the world
Scottish comedian Samantha Hannah was working on a comedy show about finding a husband when Toby Hunter came into her life. What happened next surprised them both.
DEVELOPING G7 warns of new sanctions against Iran as world reacts to apparent Israeli drone attack
Group of Seven foreign ministers warned of new sanctions against Iran on Friday for its drone and missile attack on Israel, and urged both sides to avoid an escalation of the conflict.
'It could be catastrophic': Woman says natural supplement contained hidden painkiller drug
A Manitoba woman thought she found a miracle natural supplement, but said a hidden ingredient wreaked havoc on her health.
After hearing thousands of last words, this hospital chaplain has advice for the living
Hospital chaplain J.S. Park opens up about death, grief and hearing thousands of last words, and shares his advice for the living.
Vancouver firefighter in rehab at home after losing leg to flesh-eating infection overseas
A family trip took a frightening turn for Christopher Won when he was diagnosed with flesh-eating disease while in Hong Kong and now, after weeks of treatment overseas, the Vancouver firefighter is back home recovering.