Toronto Pearson Intl Airport

The Toronto Pearson International Airport, also known as the Lester B Pearson International Airport, was opened as the Malton Airport in 1939. It under went its first name change in 1960 when it was named the Toronto International Airport and its second name change was in 1984 to the Lester B. Pearson International Airport. The control and management of the airport was transferred from the Canadian Government to the GGTA (Greater Toronto Airports Authority), who decided that the official name for the airport was to be Toronto Pearson International Airport.

Locals refer to the airport as “Pearson”. The Toronto Pearson International Airport received nineteen of the flights that were diverted on 11 September 2001, during Operation Yellow Ribbon. The Institute of Transport Management or ITM, bestowed the “Best Global Airport” on the airport in 2006. The award was given to Toronto Pearson due to the airport’s quality of services and facilities, its management approach and the focus they put on passenger services.

Toronto Pearson operates out of two terminals, namely Terminal 1 and 3. The old Terminal 1 was demolished and rebuilt to accommodate Air Canada. It is responsible for international, transborder and domestic flights. A new pier was opened for use on 30 January 2007 that accommodates exclusively international and transborder flights. This new addition to Terminal 1 is Pier F. Terminal 3 of the Toronto Pearson International Airport was opened for passenger traffic in 1991. The new Terminal incorporated all the latest technology and design, and also became home to the pre-clearance facility for the U.S Customs Department. Passenger facilities were improved, more check-in counters were made available to increase the flow of traffic and baggage claim and security areas were made larger.

The Toronto Pearson International Airport is the largest airport in Canada, with the largest flow of passenger traffic. It is ranked amongst the busiest airports in the world and accommodates approximately 29.9 million passengers in a year. About 409 500 aircraft are dealt with by the airport every year and it is responsible for the Greater Toronto Area, of which its primary concern is the welfare of Air Canada.

The terminals try to accommodate passengers in every way possible by offering facilities that include bars, restaurants, fast food stands, retail shops, gift shops, duty free shops and banking facilities, on both sides of the security screening points. Porter services are also available.

Transport to and from the Toronto Pearson International Airport is serviced by LINK train, taxis, prearranged limousine services, car rental services and the public transport system.