150,000 travellers each day to pass through Pearson Airport in Mississauga
Published December 19, 2023 at 5:18 pm
More than 150,000 people are expected to pass through Pearson Airport in Mississauga each day for the next week or so as Canada’s biggest and busiest airport gets even busier leading up to Christmas Day.
“It’s been a busy travel year and we anticipate it will get busier as we prepare to welcome around 150,000 passengers — a day — to our terminals over the next week,” airport officials said via social media today.
In a news release also issued on Tuesday, Pearson officials said they’re ready to meet the challenge of the busy week ahead — and an anticipated busy winter, which they say could see a record number of Pearson travellers make their way through terminal gates.
They say they’ve increased staffing levels, added more snow removal equipment, placed more volunteers throughout the airport to assist passengers and added “greater system resiliency to our baggage system” as they prepare for the busier travel season.
Deborah Flint, president and CEO of the Greater Toronto Airports Authority, which runs Pearson, said in the news release that “this year, we’ve taken significant steps to enhance our winter operational capabilities to prepare for the holidays. The GTAA is fully staffed, has enhanced deicing and snow-clearing capabilities, and is ready to welcome a record number of passengers through our airport this winter.”
Airport officials are also offering tips to help passengers make their way smoothly through the airport in the coming week, and beyond.
Videos
In addition to staying up to date by checking out Pearson Airport on the X platform (formerly Twitter), they recommend travellers use the following digital tools:
- YYZ Express, an online reservation program that allows travellers to book a spot in the security line ahead of their flight, up to 72 hours in advance
- Mobile Passport Control, an app introduced by United States Customs and Border Protection that allows travellers to digitally submit their information for a smoother departure experience if they’re travelling to the US
- a live online wait times dashboard provides travellers with real-time information ahead of arriving at the airport
- a peak travel times dashboard shows if you will be passing through the airport during a busy period
- Advance Declaration continues to be offered by the Canada Border Services Agency, which lets travellers submit their customs and immigration declaration up to 72 hours in advance of flying into Canada, giving them a faster border experience and saving them time at Pearson. Passengers who complete Advance Declaration will have access to an express lane in the customs area
Pearson officials also have one final bit of advice.
“The airport will be busy, so travellers are urged to plan ahead, to check weather forecasts ahead of any flight and to be prepared in case plans are affected,” they said.
(Cover photo: Pearson Airport)
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