Q2 2022 financials and passenger traffic highlights |
On August 10, the GTAA released its second quarter results. While passenger activity significantly increased compared to first quarter results, all measures of operating activity continue to be well below 2019 levels due to the impact of the pandemic on Toronto Pearson and the global aviation industry in general. Highlights:
- Passenger activity increased by 8.3 million, or 780.4 per cent, and by 12.5 million, or 584.1 per cent, during the second quarter of 2022 and the first 6 months of 2022, respectively, when compared to the same period of 2022.
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During Q2 2022, the GTAA recorded a net loss of $51.5 million
As a result of COVID-19, changing travel restrictions in place and potential new variants in Canada and around the world, combined with staffing and other challenges faced by the global aviation industry, there remains limited accurate visibility on the future of travel demand. While the full duration of the COVID-19 pandemic cannot be known at this time, the GTAA believes that full recovery will be achieved. |
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GTAA CEO Deborah Flint provides progress update at Toronto Pearson and recent opinion pieces |
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On August 5, President and Chief Executive Officer of the GTAA, Deborah Flint, provided stakeholders and media with an update on operational progress at Toronto Pearson International Airport. Deborah thanked the GTAA’s partners for their strong collaboration and for the measurable improvements in flight delays, cancellations, baggage delivery and wait times.
Deborah mentioned that although the aviation system worldwide is facing a “perfect storm,” the industry is rebounding, and the metrics show how working with partners is yielding results. While the GTAA’s goal is to alleviate passenger journey disruptions, Deborah said the GTAA is focusing on two key areas of the airport’s operation: passenger experience and digital tools. Learn more, and read a recent op-ed that details how Canada’s airports are falling behind on infrastructure improvements that are critical to alleviating the problems that existed before the pandemic, and the ones that have been amplified since.
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New infographics to support the passenger experience |
With the dramatic increase in travel, the past few months have been challenging for everyone working at Toronto Pearson. We know that our passengers and the public still have some confusion about airport operations. To help support and inform passengers about what they can do to make their travel journey better, we have developed two infographics and a social media campaign, combined with an interactive version on our website to help spread the word. Learn more.
In addition, we are continuing to update travellers by producing a weekly dashboard demonstrating in a transparent manner of the progress being made through the collaborative efforts with our aviation partners. The link to the dashboard is available here: Toronto Pearson Performance Dashboard. |
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GTAA submission to Prime Minister’s Task Force to improve Government services for Canadians |
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The GTAA recently provided a submission to the Prime Minister’s Task Force that was convened earlier this summer to address passport, immigration and airport delays. The submission is meant to build on the successful work done by Canadian airports, industry partners and the Government of Canada over the past few months to address service delays. While improvements have been achieved, there is still significant risk in the industry and a need for systemic change to improve the passenger processing experience at Canada’s airports into winter 2022, summer 2023 and beyond.
The GTAA’s recommendations address the systemic issues that impact the passenger experience, including digitization of border processes, international student processing, implementing pilots now that will lead to effective trusted traveller programs, short and longer-term commitments to resourcing US preclearance operations, re-opening Nexus enrollment centres and solutions that address labour challenges in our sector, including a RAIC-ready pool of workers.
We will continue to work closely with the Government of Canada and all industry partners to seize the opportunity to modernize and create a positive and seamless air travel experience as travel rebounds in 2022-2023. |
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US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) |
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US CBP pre-clearance at Toronto Pearson remains an active bottleneck for passengers departing to the US despite the modest improvements made this summer. Toronto Pearson is the only Canadian airport that is yet to return to its pre-pandemic number of officers and hours of operation, resulting in lengthy delays in processing US bound passengers, which at times is causing air carriers to leave passengers behind. Furthermore, since they closed during the pandemic, the Nexus enrollment centres have yet to reopen in Canada.
Asks:
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Toronto Pearson requires the U.S. to deliver pre-pandemic capacity and resources to support preclearance operations, and is requesting a return to the pre-pandemic CBP Officer compliment (estimated to be 20% below today), hours of operation and funding for officer overtime.
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The GTAA requests that Canada re-open NEXUS enrollment centres and address the backlog of 300k+ Canadians who are waiting for their applications to be processed. The US has reopened their enrollment centres, and yet Canada has not and further, no timeline has been provided.
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GTAA announces new Vice President, Stakeholder Relations & Communications |
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The Greater Toronto Airports Authority has announced the appointment of Karen Mazurkewich as Vice President, Stakeholder Relations and Communications, effected June 6, 2022. In her new role, Karen will champion the GTAA’s stakeholder relations and corporate communications efforts, with a focus on transforming the way the GTAA communicates to its customers, community, partners and employees. She will also lead the GTAA’s media relations, issues management and government relations functions.
Most recently, Karen served as Vice President, Strategic Communications at MaRS, North America’s largest urban innovation hub, where she led three high-impact teams: MaRS Corporate Communications and Marketing, Content Studio @ MaRS, and the Innovation Economy Council.
Karen holds a Master’s Diploma in Communications from Concordia University and a BSc. (Hons) from Queen’s University. Prior to joining MaRS, Karen worked extensively in media, both in Canada and abroad, founding her own consulting firm targeting mobile apps and interactive platforms companies; serving as a Wall Street Journal staff international correspondent; working as a columnist/feature writer for the Financial Post and an on-camera commentator for CNBC Asia; and authoring two books. Outside of work, she is an avid collector of art and antiques, an equestrian enthusiast and a mother to two wonderful daughters.
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Retirement of Chief Financial Officer Ian Clarke and Vice President Pat Neville |
On July 18, Deborah Flint, President and Chief Executive Officer of the GTAA, announced that Ian Clarke, the GTAA’s Chief Financial Officer, will retire effective December 31, 2022. Mr. Clarke has served as CFO since 2017 and has been a force for growth and financial stewardship during his tenure. Mr. Clarke also served on the GTAA Board of Directors from 2012 to 2017 and Chaired its Audit Committee for one year.
Also retiring effective December 31, 2022 after 21 years at the GTAA is Pat Neville, Vice President of Airport Development and Technical Services. Mr. Neville oversaw the activation of Terminal 1 in addition to numerous other high-profile projects during his time at the organization. The GTAA will this month initiate the search process to replace Mr. Clarke and Mr. Neville. The GTAA thanks both Mr. Clarke and Mr. Neville for their contributions to the GTAA, including their commitment to smooth transitions to their successors, and wishes them the best in their well-deserved retirement. |
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Toronto Pearson welcomes TIFF attendees |
Toronto Pearson is a strong driver of Canada’s economy and pre-pandemic facilitated $42 billion in GDP for Ontario’s economy. As the world’s biggest stars flock to Toronto for the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), the GTAA has worked closely with festival organizers to anticipate the needs of attendees as we know this is an important festival for the city.
We’ve already been working hard with the government, agencies, airlines and other airport partners to improve the experience for all passengers and we’re seeing progress as delays have improved significantly since earlier this summer. Toronto Pearson is Canada’s front door to the world, and GTAA’s operations team and partners from across the airport are working hard to give festival-goers, and indeed all of our passengers, the welcome to Toronto that they expect and deserve.
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YYZ lends helping hand in papal visit to Canada |
We help move more than just passengers! We’re pleased to have helped provide personnel and one of our medical lift devices to support safe and seamless transportation for the Pope in his visit to Canada in July.
The device was transported to CFB Trenton, where it was loaded onto a Canadian Military aircraft bound for Iqaluit, Nunavut, one of three Canadian cities in the papal visit itinerary. We’re deeply appreciative of being able to lend a helping hand and thank everyone involved in the operation. |
Passing of Deepak Ruparell – Member, GTAA Board of Directors |
The GTAA mourns the passing of Deepak Ruparell, a Director on the GTAA’s Board.
Mr. Ruparell was a GTAA Director beginning in May 2021 and a valued member of the Board’s Audit, and Governance and Social Responsibility Committees.
The owner and president of the Silver Hotel Group, Mr. Ruparell was also involved in business ventures including automotive facilities, real estate developments and commercial projects. He was a great supporter of many social and community charitable projects and philanthropic causes, both locally and abroad. He took keen interest to ensure that new Canadian groups play an active part in democratic and civil society activities. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family during this extremely difficult time. |
Our operations and Healthy Airport |
YYZ welcomes Biman Bangladesh inaugural flight |
We’re thrilled to welcome the latest airline service from Toronto Pearson, Biman Bangladesh Airlines connecting Toronto to Dhaka! The airline’s inaugural flight arrived this afternoon via Istanbul and was greeted at the gate by the airline, the airport and Government of Bangladesh officials, topped off with celebratory cupcakes with passengers.
The flight will operate between Toronto and Dhaka 2x weekly—Toronto to Dhaka nonstop and Dhaka to Toronto via Istanbul—using a Boeing 787 Dreamliner. This service marks the only direct North America flight from Bangladesh by any airline.
This is exciting news for passengers as we introduce further travel options for international destinations, and an encouraging step for our industry in its post-pandemic recovery. For more on Biman Bangladesh Airlines and their latest offers, visit their website. |
New and returning airlines routes |
June was another strong month of airline expansion at Toronto Pearson, with 10 airlines launching or restarting service to 28 destinations in North America, Europe, the Middle East and Central America. This is both exciting news for passengers and encouraging for our industry and our airline partners as we continue to introduce more travel options and support further growth. Learn More.
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Future of flying: How airports are innovating to improve the passenger experience |
A recent series of articles in the Toronto Star highlighted the current moment as a time when there is a real opportunity for technology to step in and enhance the passenger experience. Collectively, industry has an opportunity to build the airport of the future, rethinking how terminal buildings operate and driving innovation in the way people and goods move through the airport.
Read more here and here about the technological movement towards a lower-touch security and passenger experience at global airports (Toronto Pearson among them) that is intended to get passengers and goods to and through the airport quickly. |
Toronto Pearson’s wastewater surveillance pilot |
Toronto Pearson International Airport, in partnership with the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) and three Ontario universities, has launched a first-of-its kind, pilot program to monitor the wastewater at Canada’s largest airport as a means of detecting potentially deadly new COVID variants as they enter the country. This is done by collecting wastewater from planes and airport restrooms at the busiest ports of entry into the country.
This program aims to test for COVID-19 with the added benefits of being both affordable and non-invasive to travellers. In addition, the data collected can aid PHAC in making policy decisions about how to respond to new virus variants. While Pearson is the first airport in Canada to pilot this system, wastewater testing has already been used in airports globally. Learn More.
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Our passengers + employees |
Beware of lost and found scam at Toronto Pearson |
We’ve recently become aware of a scam where passengers are being asked to pay a $40 non-refundable fee for filing a Lost and Found item report at Toronto Pearson.
As a reminder, there is no cost to submit a Lost and Found item report at Toronto Pearson. However, there may be a cost associated with shipping a lost item back to its owner. Learn more about filing a report at our Lost and Found Office. |
GTAA announces AECOM to lead new environmental master plan |
Toronto Pearson celebrates Canada’s environmental accomplishments and Canadians’ contribution to conserving and protecting the environment. We’re an industry leader and meeting our environmental goals is critical to our future. One way to achieve our goals is by developing a long-term environmental master plan, and on June 9th, 2022, we were pleased to announce that we selected consulting firm AECOM to partner with us. AECOM’s global team of subject matter experts share our commitment to environmental stewardship, with extensive experience supporting the sustainability efforts of internationally recognized airports. Learn More. |
Mark your calendars for the 2022 Noise Forum Meetings |
The Noise Management Forums are a series of briefings, presentations and working groups that are helping Pearson work smarter with its communities and collaborate better with industry partners. You can view the schedule of upcoming meetings here. |
Runway 06L/24R rehabilitation project |
Toronto Pearson International Airport has embarked on one of the largest runway rehabilitation projects in its history. In April, the airport began major work on 06L/24R, Toronto Pearson’s second-busiest runway, first built in the 1960s, to ensure the continued safe operation of the airport, and consequently the safety of passengers, employees and the communities we serve. Significant progress has been made, with Phase 2 expected to last the duration of the summer. Keep up to date on the project here.
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GTAA pledges $150,000 to Black and Indigenous-led community organizations |
At Toronto Pearson, we want to have a positive impact on our surrounding communities. We contribute to organizations and projects in local neighbourhoods that create stronger, healthier and happier communities. In support of our Diversity, Equity and Inclusion strategy and further building on our commitment to the BlackNorth Initiative signed in July 2020, we are taking another measurable step toward fulfilling our promise to help build better futures for those impacted by systemic racism. On August 18, the GTAA announced its commitment of $150,000 to six Black and Indigenous-led organizations located in communities around Toronto Pearson. Learn More. |
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Greater Toronto Airports Authority
3111 Convair Drive
PO Box 6031
Mississauga, ON, L5P 1B2, Canada
Please refer to the GTAA’s Privacy Policy for more information regarding the manner in which we treat personal information. |
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