Oct. 10, 2008, Toronto- The Greater Toronto Airports Authority (GTAA) has announced a reduction in landing fees and terminal charges paid by
airlines at Toronto Pearson International Airport. This announcement is in
addition to the 25% decrease in all-cargo landing fees that was announced
earlier this year. All reductions will be effective January 1, 2009. The total
fee reduction will offer projected savings of $28 million to the airlines in
2009.
Landing fees are charged to cover the costs of operating Toronto Pearson.
Landing fees will be reduced by 0.4% in 2009. Terminal charges are set to
cover the costs for the common areas of the passenger terminals. These charges
will be reduced by 0.6% in 2009.
Despite a projected decrease in passenger volume for 2009, the GTAA has
worked diligently to achieve these reductions by generating additional
non-aeronautical revenue through concessions and advertising, and by
decreasing expenses where possible.
"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."
"We are pleased that the GTAA and other airport authorities in Canada ar
showing leadership in a critical area and at a time when the airline industr
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."
The GTAA is the non-share, not for profit authority that operates Toronto
Pearson. All revenue generated by the GTAA is reinvested back into the
airport. In 2007, 31.5 million passengers travelled through Toronto Pearson.
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