Toronto Pearson International Airport says its ready for the busy winter and holiday travel season, having made a number of operational improvements at Canada’s largest airport. Among them are increased staffing, expanded de-icing capacity, newly commissioned advanced snowplows, and the implementation of cutting-edge predictive technologies for weather and delay forecasting.

An innovative AI system has also been put into place for more efficient baggage handling through the proactive identification and resolution of common, potential issues that may otherwise interrupt the flow of operations, says the Greater Toronto Airports Authority.

Travellers can also exercise greater control over their journey through services such as YYZ Express for faster processing, Mobile Passport Control for expedited pre-clearance into the United States, and advanced declaration for efficient customs and immigration advanced declaration will continue to be promoted for passenger convenience.

Reflecting on the airport’s enhanced capabilities, GTAA president and CEO Deborah Flint said that taking similarly proactive steps, including working with aviation and agency partners like airline and NAV Canada, helped ensure a resilient and successful summer travel season in which On-Time Performance (OTP) improved measurably – to the tune of a 6% increase in November, and representing a 10% increase over the same period last year for all carriers – as well as a reduction in airplane holds from over 1,700 in Summer 2022 to 13 in Summer 2023.

She added, “We are committed to providing our passengers with a predictable, reliable, and enjoyable travel experience. We continue to invest in expanding and modernizing facilities and equipment, as well as increased staffing, to deliver a high-quality experience at Toronto Pearson… Winter will always bring challenging weather, so we are reinforcing tools to equip passengers with more information and control over their travel experience.”