Slight noise increase on the way for some neighbourhoods near Pearson Airport in Mississauga

There’s going to be a little more noise in the air in some neighbourhoods around Pearson Airport in Mississauga for the next week or so as ongoing runway maintenance alters takeoffs and landings.

The latest noise advisory issued by the Greater Toronto Airports Authority (GTAA), which operates Pearson, is in effect for May 3-11 and notes that a short-lived increase in aircraft noise could occur in some areas as work is being completed on several runways at various times of day.

Residents who live near Pearson are being notified that routine runway maintenance, nightly runway lighting inspection, surface repairs, electrical work and other activities could lead to an increase in aircraft noise over their homes in the coming days.

The advisory also indicates that one of Pearson’s three east-west runways will undergo surface repairs daily through June 30, which could also contribute to extra noise in the air during that period.

The runway work often leads to increased aircraft takeoffs and landings on other landing strips at Pearson for a short period of time, thereby creating airplane noise over other neighbourhoods.

Such noise advisories are nothing new to Mississauga, Brampton and Toronto residents who live near the airport. Many residents have been complaining for decades about the noise caused by hundreds of incoming and outgoing daily flights. 

The latest noise advisory indicates that routine maintenance, surface repairs, lighting inspection and electrical work are being carried out at the airport.

GTAA officials say one of Pearson’s most-used runways, the east-west 05/23 strip, is getting a full LED lighting upgrade “that will remove the need for nightly inspection.”

The GTAA says its Noise Management Office “periodically publishes advisories and notices for resident awareness of airfield construction, airport activities and engagement opportunities that could have an impact on normal airport traffic operations and aircraft noise impacts on the community.”

GTAA officials have said they’ve done their best in recent years to communicate with area residents with respect to the issue of airport noise.

Several public meetings, or noise forums, are held each year to engage residents in discussion and to hear their concerns. The next meeting is in September.

The GTAA’s Noise Accountability Board is a working group that helps set the strategic direction of noise management at Pearson, including the delivery of the airport’s Noise Management Action Plan, officials say.

“We are committed to working with the communities around the airport to make sure that noise management remains a part of the conversation as the airport grows alongside our region’s diverse population and thriving economy,” the GTAA said earlier.

New runway maintenance advisory published for May 3 to May 9. Details at: https://t.co/2e9k0tCSjH

— Toronto Pearson (@TorontoPearson) May 3, 2023