TORONTO, Nov. 1 /CNW/ - The Greater Toronto Airports Authority (GTAA) announced today the opening of 10 new gates at Toronto Pearson International Airport's Terminal 1. The gates mark the latest milestone in the ongoing redevelopment of Canada's busiest airport, and will be used primarily for international flights.
As the second major component of the new terminal building to be unveiled, the new gates will bring an immediate reduction in the amount of passengers currently being bussed from Terminal 1 to their gates at the Infield Terminal. Prior to November 1st, all international passengers who checked in at Terminal 1 were bussed to the Infield Terminal as part of a planned temporary measure.
"The addition of these 10 gates will significantly reduce the amount of bussing activity required between Terminal 1 and the Infield Terminal and therefore substantially improve the level of service we offer," says John Kaldeway, GTAA President and Chief Executive Officer.
The first phase of Terminal 1 opened in 2004 with a central passenger processor and two domestic piers. The departure lounges for these 10 new gates were included in this construction, but the gates couldn't be completed until the old Terminal 1 was demolished, making way for the remaining boarding bridge and apron construction.
"The new terminal building has been a work in progress since the ground breaking in 1998, and remains a work in progress as we strive towards the opening of the international Pier F in early 2007," says Lloyd McCoomb, Vice-President of Planning and Development. "Pier F will welcome the world to Toronto with an additional 23 gates, 10 of which will have the ability to serve both international and US pre-cleared flights."
Further development of Terminal 1 has been planned and will be phased in as demand dictates. AIRPORT DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM FACT SHEET
Toronto Pearson International Airport is Canada's busiest airport, welcoming close to 29 million passengers in 2004. A non-stop flight from Toronto Pearson can link travellers to 50 per cent of the world's population. By the year 2032, the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) is expected to grow by almost 2.7 million people to a population of more than 7.9 million. As this area continues to expand, so does its reliance on a world class airport. Forecasts indicate that by the year 2020 the number of travellers using Toronto Pearson will reach approximately 50 million.
Airport Development Program - GTAA is currently in the midst of an ambitious 10-year Airport Development Program which began on December 2, 1998 - Total budget of $4.415 billion dollars - First phase of new passenger terminal opened in April 2004, replacing the old Terminal 1, which has now been demolished - Other completed work includes access roads and parking garage, airside improvements including the addition of a third east/west runway, relocated and expanded cargo facilities and the expansion and relocation of ancillary support services Phase 2 Construction - Already well underway, Phase 2 construction will continue to develop and expand Terminal 1 o The first milestone was reached on November 1, 2005 when 10 new gates become operational - The following are some features of the new gates: - approximately 14,000 square metres of floor area and approximately 100,000 square metres of new apron were added to the Terminal 1 operational area - demolition of the old Terminal 1 resulted in some quarter million tonnes of concrete being crushed and recycled for use in the GTAA's construction program, particularly for the new apron area - In early 2007, 23 additional gates are scheduled to become operational - The majority of these new gates will be dedicated to international flights, although some will be able to accommodate transborder flights - The following are some of the features of the Terminal 1 Phase 2 construction: - the total area of the new construction is 84,500 square metres - the total area of new apron (concrete surrounding the terminal, used for airplane movement) is 229,000 square metres - 44 additional baggage sortation areas will be introduced - 16 elevators - 14 for passengers, 2 dedicated to freight within the terminal - 682 linear metres of moving walkways - 56 additional check-in counters for international passengers - 78 check-in counters for transborder passengers - four additional baggage claim carousels - a lighting system that automatically reduces the number of electric lights in use, based on the amount of available natural light
Media contact: Connie Turner, General Manager, Media and Communications, (416) 776-3709
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