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Toronto Pearson International Airport is Canada's largest and busiest airport, handling 46.8 million passengers in 2024. It is located in Mississauga, Ontario, and serves as the primary global hub for Air Canada, as well as a hub for Porter Airlines and WestJet. The airport has a long history, dating back to the 1930s, and has undergone various expansions and developments over the years. With its five runways, two passenger terminals, and numerous cargo and maintenance facilities, Toronto Pearson International Airport plays a crucial role in Canada's aviation industry and contributes significantly to the country's air traffic.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Toronto Pearson International Airport |
| IATA | YYZ |
| ICAO | CYYZ |
| Location | Mississauga, Ontario, Canada |
| Region served | Toronto and its metropolitan area |
| Surrounding region | Golden Horseshoe |
| Named after | Lester B. Pearson, the 14th Prime Minister of Canada and 1957 Nobel Peace Prize laureate |
| Distance from downtown Toronto | 25 kilometres (16 miles) |
| Number of runways | 5 |
| Number of passenger terminals | 2 |
| Number of cargo facilities | Multiple |
| Number of maintenance facilities | Multiple |
| Number of aerospace production facilities | Multiple |
| Site area | 1,867 hectares (4,613 acres) |
| Number of gates in Terminal 1 | 58 |
| Yearly number of passengers | 46.8 million (in 2024) |
| Yearly aircraft movements | 310,139 (in 2014) |
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What You'll Learn
Toronto Pearson International Airport is Canada's largest airport
Toronto Pearson is the primary global hub for Air Canada, as well as a hub for Porter Airlines and WestJet. It serves as a focus city for Air Transat and a base of operations for Flair Airlines. The airport is operated by the Greater Toronto Airports Authority (GTAA) and supported by around 50,000 workers. Toronto Pearson maintains facilities for United States border preclearance and offers an extensive network of non-stop domestic flights to all major and many secondary cities across Canada. As of 2025, over 50 airlines operate non-stop or direct flights from Toronto Pearson to more than 180 destinations across all six inhabited continents.
The airport has a long history, with the first scheduled passenger flight landing at the former Malton Airport in 1939. During World War II, the Royal Canadian Air Force established a base at the airport, operating several training schools from 1940 to 1946. In 1958, the municipal government of Toronto sold the airport to the Government of Canada, which renamed it the Toronto International Airport. It was later renamed Lester B. Pearson International Airport in 1984.
Toronto Pearson International Airport has five runways and two passenger terminals, including numerous cargo, maintenance, and aerospace production facilities. Terminal 1, which opened in 2004, is a large facility with 58 gates and three concourses for domestic, international, and transborder flights. Toronto Pearson's location within the most populous metropolitan region of Canada contributes to its status as the country's largest and busiest airport, handling 46.8 million passengers in 2024.
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It handled 46.8 million passengers in 2024
Toronto Pearson International Airport is Canada's largest and busiest airport, handling 46.8 million passengers in 2024. It is located in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada, 25 kilometres (16 mi) northwest of downtown Toronto. The airport has five runways and two passenger terminals, as well as numerous cargo, maintenance, and aerospace production facilities. It covers 1,867 hectares (4,613 acres) and is named after Lester B. Pearson, the 14th Prime Minister of Canada and Nobel Peace Prize laureate.
Toronto Pearson serves as the primary global hub for Air Canada and as a hub for other airlines such as Porter Airlines, WestJet, and Air Transat. It offers an extensive network of non-stop domestic and international flights, with over 50 airlines operating to more than 180 destinations worldwide. The airport has seen substantial passenger growth due to its location within the most populous metropolitan region of Canada.
Toronto Pearson has two passenger terminals, with Terminal 1 being a large facility with 58 gates. Terminal 1 is used by Air Canada and its subsidiaries, as well as various other airlines, and has separate concourses for domestic, international, and transborder flights. The airport's convenient location and efficient facilities contribute to its high passenger traffic.
Toronto Pearson's efficient operations and extensive flight network make it a crucial hub for air travel in Canada. Its ability to handle a large volume of passengers and flights solidifies its position as Canada's largest and busiest airport. The airport's continuous growth and development ensure that it can accommodate the increasing demand for air travel in the region.
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The airport is named after Lester B. Pearson, a former Prime Minister of Canada
Toronto Pearson International Airport is Canada's largest airport. It is located in Mississauga, Ontario, and serves as the primary airport for Toronto and its surrounding region, the Golden Horseshoe. With over 46.8 million passengers in 2024, it is not only the largest but also the busiest airport in Canada. The airport has five runways, two passenger terminals, and numerous cargo, maintenance, and aerospace production facilities, occupying a site of 1,867 hectares (4,613 acres).
The history of Toronto Pearson International Airport dates back to the 1930s when the Government of Canada supported the development of two airports in Toronto. One was located on the Toronto Islands, now known as Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport, and the other was in Malton, near the town of Malton (now Mississauga). During World War II, the Royal Canadian Air Force used the Malton Airport as RCAF Station Malton, operating training schools from 1940 to 1946.
Today, Toronto Pearson serves as a global hub for Air Canada and various other airlines, offering non-stop flights to numerous destinations worldwide. With its extensive network and convenient location, Toronto Pearson International Airport plays a crucial role in connecting Canada to the rest of the world.
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It is located 25km northwest of downtown Toronto
Toronto Pearson International Airport is Canada's largest airport. It is located 25 kilometres (16 miles) northwest of downtown Toronto in the adjacent city of Mississauga, with a small portion of the airfield extending into Toronto's western district of Etobicoke. It is named after Lester B. Pearson, the 14th Prime Minister of Canada and 1957 Nobel Peace Prize laureate for his humanitarian work in peacekeeping.
The airport is situated in the most populous metropolitan region of Canada, which solidifies its top spot amongst all of Canada's airports. It is the primary global hub for Air Canada and serves as a hub for Porter Airlines, WestJet, and Air Transat. It also serves as a base of operations for Flair Airlines. As of 2025, more than 50 airlines operate non-stop or direct flights from Toronto Pearson to over 180 destinations across all six inhabited continents.
Toronto Pearson International Airport has five runways and two passenger terminals, along with numerous cargo, maintenance, and aerospace production facilities. Terminal 1, which opened in 2004, is a 346,000-square-metre (3,724,000 sq ft) facility with 58 gates. It is used by Air Canada and its subsidiaries, as well as various other airlines. Terminal 1 has three concourses, with Concourse D used for domestic flights, Concourse E for international flights, and Concourse F for transborder flights to the United States.
The airport's convenient location near downtown Toronto, as well as its extensive facilities and network of airlines, make it a popular choice for travellers to and from Canada.
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It serves as a hub for Air Canada, Porter Airlines and WestJet
Toronto Pearson International Airport is Canada's largest and busiest airport. It is located in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada, 25 kilometres (16 mi) northwest of downtown Toronto. The airport is named after Lester B. Pearson, the 14th Prime Minister of Canada and 1957 Nobel Peace Prize laureate. It has five runways and two passenger terminals, covering 1,867 hectares (4,613 acres).
Toronto Pearson is the primary global hub for Air Canada. It also serves as a hub for Porter Airlines and WestJet. In addition, it acts as a focus city for Air Transat and a base of operations for Flair Airlines. More than 50 airlines operate non-stop or direct flights from Toronto Pearson to over 180 destinations across all six inhabited continents.
Porter Airlines also operates from Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport, which is located on the Toronto Islands. This smaller airport serves 21 destinations across Canada and the United States.
WestJet also has a presence at Calgary International Airport, which serves as its headquarters. This airport offers non-stop flights to various destinations in North and Central America, Europe, and East Asia.
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Frequently asked questions
Toronto Pearson International Airport is Canada's largest and busiest airport, handling 46.8 million passengers in 2024.
The airport is located in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada, 25 kilometres (16 mi) northwest of downtown Toronto.
Toronto Pearson International Airport has five runways and two passenger terminals.
Pearson is coded YYZ.
Vancouver International Airport, Calgary International Airport, and Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport are some of the other large airports in Canada.
