Effective January 1, 2009, the Greater Toronto Airports Authority (GTAA) is reducing landing fees and terminal charges paid by airlines at Toronto Pearson International Airport. With the 25 per cent decrease in all-cargo landing fees announced earlier this year, the total projected savings of $28 million due to the reduced fees are to be passed onto the airlines in 2009.

“We are very conscious of the state of the aviation industry and I am proud of the work of all GTAA staff that has allowed us to reduce fees for the second year in a row,” said Lloyd McCoomb, President and CEO of the GTAA. “We believe it is important for airports to do what they can to offer savings to the airlines.”

Landing fees cover the costs of operating Toronto Pearson and will be reduced by 0.4 per cent in 2009. While terminal charges cover the costs for the common areas of the passenger terminals and will be reduced by 0.6 per cent in 2009.

"We are pleased that the GTAA and other airport authorities in Canada are showing leadership in a critical area and at a time when the airline industry is facing unprecedented pressures," said Ken McKenzie, Executive Vice-President, Operations for WestJet. "We commend the GTAA and thank them for recognizing the need for change in this area."

Duncan Dee, Executive Vice President, Customer Experience and Chief Administrative Officer of Air Canada added “we welcome this decision as a step in the right direction.
We look forward to continue working with the GTAA to achieve further cost reductions and efficiencies to make Pearson Airport an even more effective hub for our customers.”

With 31.5 million passengers travelling through Toronto Pearson in 2007, and despite a projected decrease in passenger volume for 2009, the GTAA has worked diligently to achieve reductions by generating additional revenue through concessions and advertising, and by decreasing expenses.