‘Burst of aviation activity’ expected during eclipse at Pearson Airport in Mississauga, Ontario

A “burst of aviation activity” that includes small planes, big planes and even drones is expected in the skies over Pearson Airport in Mississauga today as people scramble to get the best look possible at the near total solar eclipse.

The only flights being grounded on Monday are those conducted by Pearson’s wildlife management team and its crew of some 25 birds of prey that helps keep the five runways and airspace at and around Canada’s biggest and busiest airport clear and safe of smaller birds.

In several posts to social media on Monday morning, NAV Canada provided notice that the skies will be busier in the GTA today. The agency is responsible for air traffic control at Pearson and across the country.

“Today marks Canada’s first total eclipse in 45 years and will be a notable event for many Canadians,” NAV Canada officials said in a post to X (formerly Twitter). “NAV Canada is prepared for today’s burst of aviation activity and we’re treating today as an all-hazards approach.”

An all-hazards approach means the agency is prepared for any emergency or disaster that could possibly unfold at a given time.

“We’re expecting more recreational pilots will follow the eclipse in the air and commercial flights will request to travel within the path of totality,” NAV Canada said in another Monday morning post to X. “For everyone who wants to experience the eclipse from Canada’s skies, we’ll support you to the best of our ability.”

Agency officials also noted they’re prepared for an increase in requests today for remotely piloted aircraft systems, or drones, to take to the air.

“We’re preparing for the possibility of an influx of RPAS flight requests. If you plan to watch the eclipse by drone, file your request (with NAV Canada).”

Beyond the additional planes and drones in the sky today, Pearson Airport officials say it’ll be mostly business as usual as far as airfield operations are concerned.

Pearson Airport Duty Manager Jake Keating (left) says it’ll be business as usual, for the most part, at the airport in terms of airfield operations.

Pearson Duty Manager Jake Keating said in a video posted to X that last week’s stormy weather had more impact on airport operations than today’s solar eclipse will.

“The biggest change for us is going to be the lighting on the airfield being on during the middle of the day; that’s not really typical, but that’s probably the biggest impact we’re going to see,” he said, adding planes will take off and land as normal throughout the day and evening.

Keating did have advice for travellers planning to fly out of Pearson on Monday.

For one, he suggested leaving early to get to the airport as “the 400-series of highways will be busy with mass migration down to the Niagara region.”

And once they’re on board their flights and in the air, passengers should take the same advice as everyone else — use proper and safe sunglasses to watch the eclipse from the plane, Keating urged.

Pearson officials added they’ll be posting videos of the eclipse taken from the airport’s control tower to social media this afternoon.

A team of some 25 birds of prey helps keep planes at Pearson safe from smaller birds striking aircraft.

Officials at the airport also provided information on what to expect, perhaps, from Pearson’s large animal population on Monday. Large wooded areas and the Etobicoke Creek are part of the huge property upon which the airport is located and serve as home to numerous critters and bird species.

“What happens to wildlife at the airport during an eclipse? Here’s what we know,” airport officials said in a post to X. “During the darkness of an eclipse, we know that animal behaviours can differ from their original patterns.

“Understandably, they display patterns typically seen during their nighttime routines. Wildlife may also be more active just before and right after the eclipse; we may hear wildlife calling out more frequently, and we may see nocturnal wildlife during the day. Our team won’t be flying our birds during the eclipse and will be extra vigilant for abnormal bird activity taking place before, after and during the eclipse.”

Airport officials also noted they’ll “take advantage of this rare moment to document any interesting and uncommon wildlife behaviours” for educational purposes.

“Interestingly, it also happens to be mating season, which may give insight into how birds returning from wintering down south will react to the celestial phenomenon.”