Category Archives for "Aviation"

Apr 19

Federal Airport Study Casts Doubt on Pickering Airport

By Transport Action Ontario | Aviation , Latest News

In a surprise announcement on April 18, 2023, federal Transport Minister Alghabra kicked off a study on airport capacity in Southern Ontario. A prime focus appears to be the Pickering Lands, where it was stated: “We have no intention to proceed with building an airport on the Pickering Lands in the near term and the conclusions of the study could lead, for example, to a determination that an airport on the Pickering Lands is not required in the long term”.

Transport Action Ontario (TAO) has long opposed the Pickering Airport. We believe that improved passenger rail service can provide more than enough capacity for medium distance (< 800 km) trips, so that the existing Pearson Airport could handle all future long-distance needs.

TAO will monitor this study closely. In addition to Pickering, there are other questions that should be studied, including

  • Future role of Toronto Island, Hamilton, London and other airports in Southern Ontario
  • Adequacy of ground connections to airports, i.e. rail and bus
Dec 02

Ground-side Access to Pearson International Airport

By Transport Action Ontario | Aviation , Intercity Rail and Bus

 

The Greater Toronto Airports Authority (GTAA) is studying future airline passenger traffic in Southern Ontario.  It is recommending coordinated planning among all airports in the region.  One aspect that did not receive much focus in the study is the issue of ground-side access to Pearson International Airport.

 

Transport Action Ontario has sent a letter to GTAA identifying that ground-side airport access needs to be improved, particularly by working towards a better balance between road and rail options.  Our letter can be viewed here:   TAO-lettertoGTAA2015-12-02

 

 

 

Jul 07

Safety Issues to Consider in the Proposal to Expand Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport

By Transport Action Ontario | Aviation

 

The Greater Waterfront Coalition, of which Transport Action Ontario is an active member, has released a 30 page report, together with photographs and illustrations,  on 11 safety issues associated with the  proposal to expand Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport (BBTCA).      The report calls for independent expert study of these issues.

 

The report has been presented to the Working Group of Waterfront Toronto’s Peer Review of the Environmental Assessment for this expansion.

 

The report can be viewed at this link:  http://www.waterfrontcoalition.ca/safety_report

 

 

May 15

Submission about Pickering Airport to 2015 Greenbelt Plan Review

By Transport Action Ontario | Aviation

 

 

The Ontario government is conducting its 10 year review of the Greenbelt Plan.   Transport Action Ontario made a submission to the province concerning the proposed Pickering Airport.  Although the presence or absence of this airport is not within the scope of the Greenbelt Plan Review, we believe that this airport will have a major deleterious effect on the Greenbelt lands.

 

Our submission can be viewed here:  TAO-Greenbelt(Pickering)2015-05

 

 

1 2 3