TORONTO — It could cost travellers more to travel out of Toronto next year thanks to increased fees issued by the Greater Toronto Airports Authority (GTAA).

As the operator of Toronto Pearson International Airport, the GTAA has announced several changes to rates and fees, effective Jan. 1, 2021. These include a 3% increase in aeronautical rates for commercial aviation, and an increase in aeronautical rates for all business and general aviation aircraft 19,000kg or less that amount to $575 per arrival movement.

In addition, the airport improvement fee (AIF) for departing passengers will increase by $5 to $30, while the AIF for connecting passengers will increase by $2 to $6.

Prior to this, the commercial aeronautical rates and the AIF have not increased at Toronto Pearson for 13 and 11 years, respectively.

According to the GTAA, the downturn in air travel at Toronto Pearson as a result of the global pandemic has significantly reduced its revenues. It has already taken significant steps to reduce operating and capital expenditures, as well as reduce its workforce by 27%. At the same time, it has invested to meet changing demands for a healthy and touchless airport journey for passengers, and will continue to invest in order to restore passenger confidence.

“The impact of the pandemic on Toronto Pearson’s business and Canada’s aviation sector has been nothing short of devastating,” said Deborah Flint, President and CEO, GTAA. “These changes to aeronautical rates and the AIF follow more than a decade during which there were no increases to commercial aeronautical rates or the AIF at Toronto Pearson.  Today’s announcement will position the GTAA fiscally for continued investments in healthy travel and industry recovery.”