How much has the airport grown over time?

When the first flight took off from Malton Airport in 1939, the population of what’s now the Greater Toronto Area was less than one million. By 2018, Toronto Pearson had grown to serve some 50 million passengers and over 470,000 aircraft movements per year. Here is how that looked over time:

The Evolution of Toronto Pearson

1939
First flight departs from Malton Airports

1962
Toronto International becomes busiest airport in Canada

1980
Greater Toronto Area population surpasses 3 million

1982
Toronto Pearson serves 235,000 aircraft movement

1996
Operations of Toronto Pearson is transferred from Transport Canada to GTAA

1997
Second north-south runway and fourth overall, 15R/33L, opened

2002
Third east-west runway and fifth overall, 06R/24L, opened

2011
Greater Toronto Area population surpasses 6 million

2012
Airspace redesign in Toronto

2020
Toronto Pearson serves over 174,000 aircraft movements

2023
Toronto Pearson serves over 379,000 aircraft movements

Toronto Pearson is evolving to meet the demands of our visitors, employees and the people of this great and diverse region, but it must be done in a way that’s considerate and respectful to the communities around the airport.

Toronto Pearson has a bold vision for the future – to be the best airport in the world – and that includes growing sustainably and responsibly, in step with the communities we serve. As the aviation industry recovers from the impacts of the global pandemic, Toronto Pearson is ready to turn over a new leaf with a strong vision for our future, and with confidence and optimism for the decade ahead.