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Toronto Pearson has officially launched Pearson LIFT (Long-term Investment in Facilities and Terminals), a multi-phase infrastructure program for Canada’s busiest airport, with major investments in airfield operations, terminal systems, and future passenger expansion capacity. Marked by a ceremonial ground breaking on Monday, May 11, the initiative by the Greater Toronto Airports Authority begins with a $3-billion first phase focused on upgrading baggage infrastructure, modernizing airside operations, and expanding aircraft movement infrastructure across the airport’s sprawling airfield over the coming decade. This will lay the groundwork for future terminal expansion projects while aiming to accommodate up to 28,000 additional daily passengers within the existing facilities.
Pearson LIFT is structured around three major programs intended to address both immediate operational pressures and longer-term passenger growth. The first phase, Accelerator, is now underway, focusing on airfield upgrades, baggage handling improvements, sustainability-focused infrastructure work, and renewal of core airport systems aimed at improving day-to-day operations and supporting near-term growth. Two larger programs remain in procurement: T1/T3 Revitalization, which would modernize passenger processing areas, retail spaces, employee facilities, plus groundside access across the existing terminals; and Gateway, the airport’s long-range Terminal 1 expansion program expected to introduce substantial new terminal space and additional gates to support projected passenger growth through the early 2030s.
“Today marks a pivotal moment, the culmination of three years of planning, analysis, competitive procurement and collaboration with industry partners and air carriers to deliver a state‑of‑the‑art airfield that will make Toronto Pearson one of the most efficient and digitally-advanced airports in the industry,” said Deborah Flint, President and CEO of Toronto Pearson. “This is an investment that increases capacity for global trade with Canada. Passengers can be more confident in their journeys through North America’s 2nd most internationally-connected airport.”
Rather than immediately beginning large-scale terminal additions, the first phase is focused on extracting more capacity from the airport’s existing footprint through operational and infrastructure improvements behind the scenes. The current work aims to accommodate up to 28,000 additional passengers daily by improving aircraft circulation across the apron and taxiway network, reducing gate bottlenecks, expanding aircraft staging areas, and upgrading baggage handling operations. The improvements are expected to reduce delays tied to aircraft waiting for available gates, while creating more efficient movement between runways, taxiways, and terminal boarding areas.
“As it's completed, you'll hear less of the pilot saying, ‘We're here early, and we're waiting for a gate.’ This will help with that,” said Flint.
A major component centres on modernization of Toronto Pearson’s 2.2-million m² airfield, including the addition of new aircraft stands, construction of a high-speed taxiway, and upgrades to the airport’s lighting and guidance infrastructure. The work will introduce a new airfield lighting control and management system capable of coordinating aircraft movement more dynamically across runways and taxiways, improving aircraft guidance, visibility, and ground movement coordination. Together with apron reconfiguration and expanded aircraft circulation areas, the upgrades are anticipated to improve taxi efficiency and aircraft sequencing while preparing the airport’s airside infrastructure for future navigation technologies and increased flight volumes.
The first phase will also overhaul large portions of Toronto Pearson’s baggage handling network, with investments spanning roughly 30km of conveyor and processing infrastructure throughout the airport. Planned improvements include new baggage carousels in Terminal 1 alongside upgraded monitoring systems using cameras and sensors capable of detecting operational issues and conveyor blockages earlier in the process. The modernization effort looks to improve system reliability and reduce service interruptions as passenger volumes increase, while supporting smoother connections between check-in, screening, aircraft loading, and baggage claim operations.
Beyond operational upgrades, the Accelerator program will include a series of infrastructure and utility improvements aimed at supporting lower-emission airport operations as Toronto Pearson continues to grow. Planned work includes expanded electric vehicle charging facilities, upgrades to the airport’s energy distribution network, and modernization of heating systems serving the terminals and support infrastructure.
While the current construction phase focuses primarily on operational infrastructure, Pearson LIFT’s longer-term plans include major passenger terminal expansion through the future Gateway program. Now moving through procurement, Gateway is expected to add substantial new terminal space accommodating an additional 15 million annual passengers (or 41,000 more passengers per day), building toward projected airport demand of roughly 65 million passengers annually by the early 2030s. Earlier planning materials tied to the Terminal 1 expansion outline approximately 40 new narrow-body equivalent gates alongside expanded retail areas, additional Canadian Air Transport Security Authority screening lanes, upgraded baggage claim facilities, and expanded U.S. pre-clearance space.
Delivery of the Accelerator program is being carried out through a progressive design-build model. Toronto Pearson selected the Pearson Accelerator Construction Team (PACT) to lead the work, bringing together Kenaidan Contracting, Alberici Constructors, Amico Major Projects, and Obayashi Canada, supported by a design joint venture between Egis and Mott MacDonald with contributions from WW+P Architects, WSP Canada, and Woods Bagot. The phased approach is intended to allow major infrastructure upgrades to proceed while maintaining continuous airport operations.
Toronto Pearson says the broader Pearson LIFT program will support significant economic growth as the airport expands over the coming decade, with projections pointing to 16,000 new on-site jobs and support for more than 160,000 jobs nationally. Based on analysis prepared by Oxford Economics, the airport estimates the program could contribute roughly $30 billion to the Canadian economy while generating more than $10 billion annually in spending with suppliers across the country. Additional announcements tied to future terminal revitalization and expansion phases are expected later this year as procurement and planning work continue across the remaining Pearson LIFT programs.
UrbanToronto will continue to follow progress on this development, but in the meantime, you can learn more about it from our Database file, linked below. If you'd like, you can join in on the conversation in the associated Project Forum thread or leave a comment in the space provided on this page.
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