Quarterly & annual operations reports

Q4 2023

• In Q4 2023, flight operations were up by 8% compared to Q4 2022 and about 11% lower than it was in Q4 2019 (pre-pandemic).
• With increased traffic, there was once again a need for consistent use of the downwind phase to sequence arriving flights. Additionally, runways were used simultaneously more to manage the traffic. This means that communities under flightpaths for runways that were used less frequently during low traffic periods saw a return in traffic. Learn more about how runways are used, what the different configurations mean here.
• During the preferential hours (midnight to 6:30 a.m.), there was 2% more traffic than in Q4 2022. This amounts to 83 additional flights.
• In Q4 2023, 98% of operations used the east-west runways compared to 88% east-west operations in Q4 2022 (96% in 2019). Variation in runway usage can be attributed to less airfield maintenance work/construction and weather/wind conditions being more aligned. To learn more about upcoming maintenance work, check out the Noise Advisory calendar here.
  • Winds in the region are predominantly east/west, however there will always be some variation in the percentage of westerly vs easterly operations. The north/south runways are used when the weather necessitates it or to accommodate airfield work.

2023 Summary – Full Year

• In 2023, passenger activity continued to rebound due to the return to pre-pandemic travel requirements and pent-up travel demand. Traffic peaked during the summer and annual traffic levels reached approximately 83.7% of 2019 traffic.
• With higher traffic levels, there was once again a need for consistent use of the downwind phase to sequence arriving flights. Additionally, runways were used simultaneously more to manage the traffic. This means that communities impacted by the downwind, or those under runways used to offload arrivals or departures during peak periods saw a return in traffic. Learn more about how runways are used, including when offloads are used and what the different configurations mean here.
• In 2023, Toronto Pearson temporarily closed east/west runway 06R/24L and 05/23 for short durations in early to late summer to accommodate an electrical upgrade.