Toronto Pearson announces new carriers, routes for summer 2018

More choice for travellers on international and domestic routes

TORONTO, Dec. 7, 2017 /CNW/ - With demand for air travel in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) continuing to grow, Toronto Pearson announces additional new airline services from Canada's busiest airport, serving the region for the Summer 2018 travel season.

The airport, which is forecast to welcome nearly 48 million passengers in 2017, will see several new airlines enter the local market, as well as expanded service from existing carriers and more frequent flights on some high demand routes. As a critical economic engine for Ontario and Canada, additional connectivity from Toronto Pearson opens key development opportunities for local industry and facilitates growth for area businesses.

Domestic and international travellers will have new options from Toronto Pearson. For the summer 2018 season, Air Canada will offer new direct service to Buenos Aires, Argentina, as well as new routes from Toronto to Providence, RI, Omaha, NB, Nanaimo, BC, and Kamloops, BC.

New Canadian carrier Flair Air will operate for its first summer out of Toronto Pearson after starting service to Edmonton, AB and Kelowna, BC this month.

For international travel, current carriers already operating from Toronto Pearson will add new options for travel in Europe, including Air Canada's new routes to Bucharest, Romania; Zagreb, Croatia; Porto, Portugal; and Shannon, Ireland. Also, British Airways, who will add capacity to the UK, will now be offering three times weekly service to London Gatwick.

The United Kingdom and Europe are experiencing notably strong demand from Toronto region travelers and new carriers serving this area in Summer 2018 will include Primera Air, offering service three times weekly to Birmingham and London Stansted, UK and four times weekly service to Paris, France. Eastern Europe will also see new choice and connectivity Ukraine International Airlines, flying three times weekly to Kiev.

"Toronto Pearson is well on its way to becoming a mega hub airport, as evidenced by the addition of these new routes and partnerships on the back of strong passenger traffic growth," said Kim Stangeby, Vice President and Chief Strategy Officer at the Greater Toronto Airports Authority. "All of this activity confers greater benefits on the region, Ontario and Canada in the form of enhanced trade and connectivity, making this a shared journey of growth for Toronto Pearson and the country at large."    

About Toronto Pearson

Greater Toronto Airports Authority (GTAA) is the operator of Toronto Pearson International Airport. Toronto Pearson is focused on becoming the best airport in the world; enhancing the passenger experience, safety, security, supports the success of our airline partners. With more than 44 million passengers in 2016, Toronto Pearson is Canada's largest airport and second busiest North American international airport.

The area around Toronto Pearson is the second-largest employment zone in Canada; it facilitates more than 6 per cent of Ontario's GDP and directly employs 49,000 people. Toronto Pearson believes being a good neighbour means balancing operations by engaging with communities that surround the airport. It strives to have a positive impact by investing in social good and community-building initiatives through its community investment program, The Propeller Project.

For more information please visit Toronto Pearson on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram.

SOURCE Greater Toronto Airports Authority