Toronto Pearson has joined tem other airports from the region to launch the Southern Ontario Airport Network (SOAN), an initiative aiming to increase aviation capacity to meet the growing demand.
Its goals include completing a catchment and demand study of the region to identify opportunities for future growth in leisure, business aviation and short-haul markets at regional airports; understanding the ground transportation needs in Southern Ontario and advocating for investment in ground transportation improvements that will reduce congestion and greenhouse gas emissions; and developing strategies for responsible and sustainable airport growth including community engagement and noise management.
With plans to become a mega hub airport, Toronto Pearson will play a specific role as a member of SOAN, attracting and accommodating more international routes and passengers. By 2035, Toronto Pearson aims to serve 80 million passengers annually and facilitate 700,000 jobs in the airport employment zone.
Howard Eng, president and CEO of the Greater Toronto Airports Authority, said, “Toronto Pearson has experienced substantial growth in demand for air travel. In 2016, we reported 8% growth in passenger numbers over the previous year, the largest growth year-over-year in the history of the airport.
“This growth is forecasted to continue over the next three decades presenting tremendous opportunity, not only for Toronto Pearson but for the region as a whole.”
SOAN comprises of Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport, Hamilton John C Munro International Airport, Lake Simcoe Regional Airport, London International Airport, Oshawa Executive Airport, Niagara District Airport, Peterborough Airport, Region of Waterloo Airport, Toronto Pearson International Airport and Windsor International Airport.