Toronto Pearson Airport Improves Travel Experience with Staffing and Technological Upgrades

The Greater Toronto Airports Authority has taken steps to improve travel experiences at Pearson Airport following disruptions and delays experienced by travelers last year. The authority has bolstered staffing by hiring 130 new employees to support critical areas, including busing, baggage handling, and terminal operations.

In collaboration with the Canada Border Services Agency, it has also introduced biometric e-gates to streamline contactless check-in and boarding processes, making customs clearance faster for passengers. Additionally, an AI-powered upgraded baggage system is designed to anticipate overloading and detect potential breakdowns before they occur, thus reducing recirculation and delays at check-in and departure.

The airport authority will collect data to ensure that airlines are properly trained and staffed to handle baggage, and to maintain system capacity. Earlier this year, the airport authority announced plans to limit the number of flights during peak travel periods to manage demand and reduce congestion following a surge in demand last summer that resulted in stranded passengers and tens of thousands of flight cancellations.