Toronto Pearson modernizing airfield & terminals amid rising travel demand

The Greater Toronto Airports Authority (GTAA) on Friday (Apr. 12) kicked off discussions with design and construction companies on Pearson LIFT – Long term Investment in Facilities and Terminals (LIFT) on the planning and vision of the program. 

LIFT is a capital plan that has invested billions of dollars into Toronto Pearson airport through construction programs aimed at improving the facility, the GTAA says. 

Its first program of LIFT will focus on modernizing airport assets, including high-speed taxi lanes to improve airfield performance, modernized airfield electric lighting and control system, interim terminal facilities and investments in power generation to advance towards net-zero targets. 

Toronto Pearson executives, starting today, will launch this first phase of a procurement process at an industry forum for 700 participants from design, construction, and technology industry companies. 

“Smart investment to meet passenger demand”

The airport says it has been meeting passenger needs by deploying “extraordinary resources” to many of its aged assets and facilities, which is not a sustainable solution with passenger traffic expected to grow to approximately 65 million annually by the early 2030s – a figure that takes the airport beyond its 45 million passengers in 2023.

Pearson’s investments come amid increasing passenger demand. They focus on affordability, design and sustainability, the GTAA says. 

“Through LIFT, we will deliver a world-class passenger experience, integrate smart architecture, unlock the digital potential in air travel, and advance towards a net-zero future,” said Deborah Flint, president and chief executive officer, GTAA, in a press release. 

“These plans are anchored to our ambition to build an airport that will strengthen international competitiveness, leverage innovation, and advance sustainability, all which drive economic returns for Canada.” 

The GTAA says its enhancements will pave the way for Toronto Pearson to become “one of the greenest, technologically advanced, and passenger-friendly airports” in North America and globally.

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