Is Toronto Pearson the Most Important Airport in Canada?

At 6:10 a.m., while most of Mississauga is still pouring coffee, dozens of aircraft are already taxiing at Toronto Pearson International Airport. Long-haul flights are lifting off for Europe. Red-eyes from the west are unloading. Cargo crews are moving temperature-controlled pharmaceuticals before sunrise. Hundreds of ground staff are already in motion.

And this is just a normal morning.

Most locals see Pearson from the 401 or hear jets on approach and think of it as background infrastructure.

But what if it’s more than that?

When we ask whether Toronto Pearson International Airport is the most important airport in Canada, we’re not just asking which one is the busiest. “Most important” means economic impact, global connectivity, infrastructure, and influence. It means looking at how an airport shapes trade, tourism, employment, and the identity of an entire region.

By nearly every measurable standard, Pearson sits at the top.

Passenger Traffic — How Pearson Compares to Other Major Canadian Airports

Before the pandemic, Pearson handled over 50 million passengers in a single year. Recent totals have returned to the mid-40 millions and climbing.

To put that in perspective, compare annual passenger volumes at other major Canadian airports:

Vancouver International Airport: approximately 26–27 million passengers

Montréal-Trudeau International Airport: roughly 21–22 million

Calgary International Airport: about 17–18 million

Pearson doesn’t just lead. It operates at nearly double the volume of most peers.

At peak periods, aircraft movements happen every couple of minutes with more than 1,300 aircraft taking off or landing throughout the day. At any given time, thousands of passengers are in terminals while thousands more are in the air heading toward it.

This is Canada’s primary international gateway. A huge share of the country’s long-haul travel, transborder flights, and global connections flow through Mississauga every day, but passenger volume is only part of the story.

Commercial Passenger Aviation

Pearson serves as the primary global hub for Air Canada and supports a wide network of domestic, U.S., and international routes. As a major Star Alliance gateway, it connects travellers to hundreds of destinations worldwide.

For tourism, business travel, and immigration flows, Pearson is the backbone of Canada’s aviation network.

Private & Business Aviation

Beyond scheduled airlines, Pearson supports a robust business aviation sector. Corporate jets, charter flights, and aircraft management services operate from dedicated facilities, serving executives, entrepreneurs, and organizations that require time-sensitive travel.

Canadian operators such as Chartright Air Group and other business aviation providers form part of this broader ecosystem, helping facilitate multi-city business travel, remote access to smaller communities, and flexible scheduling for companies operating across Canada.

While commercial airlines move the masses, private aviation supports economic agility — often quietly.

Air Cargo & Logistics

Pearson is also Canada’s largest air cargo gateway. Billions of dollars in goods move through the airport annually, including pharmaceuticals, medical supplies, manufacturing components, and perishables.

As e-commerce continues to expand, next-day and expedited shipping relies heavily on Pearson’s cargo infrastructure. The airport plays a central role in national supply chains.

Aircraft Maintenance, Repair & Operations (MRO)

Behind the scenes, aircraft maintenance and technical operations support thousands of skilled jobs in Mississauga. Engineers, technicians, logistics planners, and ground crews ensure aircraft operate safely and efficiently.

These roles form a critical — and often unseen — part of the aviation economy.

Government, Medical & Specialized Flights

Pearson also supports medevac operations, organ transport flights, and emergency response movements. Federal and provincial agencies rely on the airport’s infrastructure for priority travel and specialized missions.

This public-service dimension reinforces that Pearson’s importance extends well beyond tourism.

Recognition Is Nice — But Scale Is What Matters

Pearson has repeatedly been recognized by Airports Council International as one of North America’s best large airports based on passenger feedback. It has also appeared on national employer rankings.

Those awards are meaningful.

But awards alone don’t explain Pearson’s importance.

Pearson matters because of what is happening there every hour of every day, whether awards are being handed out or not.

Economic Impact — What Pearson Means for Canada

The airport’s footprint reaches far beyond its runways.

Toronto Pearson supports tens of thousands of direct and indirect jobs. From aviation professionals and hospitality staff to IT specialists and logistics operators, its economic ripple effect spans multiple industries.

Its contribution to GDP runs into the billions annually. Businesses cluster around the airport to benefit from global connectivity. Warehousing, corporate offices, and industrial developments have expanded significantly in surrounding areas

In many ways, Pearson is one of Canada’s most significant pieces of economic infrastructure.

Why This Matters to Mississauga Residents

For residents, Pearson isn’t abstract — it’s local.

Employment & Career Opportunities

Many Mississauga families have at least one connection to the airport economy. Careers range from pilots and engineers to customer service representatives and security personnel. Aviation is one of the region’s largest employment engines.

Business Growth & Investment

Proximity to Canada’s largest airport attracts corporate headquarters, logistics firms, advanced manufacturing, and technology companies. Global access is a competitive advantage that strengthens Mississauga’s business ecosystem.

Real Estate & Infrastructure Development

Industrial parks, commercial real estate, and transit expansions have been shaped by the airport’s presence. Highways, regional transit, and development planning all reflect Pearson’s influence.

Travel Convenience

Residents benefit from direct global access, expanded route options, and competitive airfare markets. Fewer connections mean less travel time — and more convenience.

Community Identity

Mississauga is sometimes described as Toronto’s neighbour. But Pearson gives it distinct global relevance. Few Canadian cities can claim adjacency to the country’s primary international gateway.

So — Is Toronto Pearson Canada’s Most Important Airport?

If we measure by criteria, Pearson ranks first for passenger volume, international connectivity, cargo volume, economic impact and holds a major advantage for geographic centrality.

Vancouver dominates Pacific routes. Calgary anchors Canada’s energy corridor. Montréal plays a vital cultural and international role.

But in terms of sheer scale, operational diversity, and national economic footprint, Toronto Pearson makes a compelling case.

It’s not just where Canadians travel.

It’s where Canada connects.