Pearson Airport in Mississauga has shut down its second-busiest runway

Pearson Airport in Mississauga shut down its second-busiest runway yesterday (April 4) for major repairs that will take some seven months to complete.

“Runway 06L/24R is going dark!” Pearson Airport officials announced Monday afternoon on Twitter.

The tweet continued: “We’re kicking off our 2022 runway rehab today by removing existing lights, the first step before rebuilding the runway from substructure to surface.”

As work continues on what airport officials describe as one of the largest runway rehabilitation projects in the history of Canada’s largest airport, travellers and area residents can expect some delays, disruptions and added aircraft noise.

The Greater Toronto Airports Authority (GTAA), which runs Pearson, says the runway will be closed until work is completed in November.

Runway 06L/24R is going dark! We’re kicking off our 2022 runway rehab today by removing existing lights, the first step before rebuilding the runway from substructure to surface. Trivia: How many LED lights will the runway have when completed?

A. 700
B. 1,800
C. 2,400
D. 8,000 pic.twitter.com/bdT1JtfeaN

— Pearson Corporate / Entreprise Pearson (@PearsonComms) April 4, 2022

Until then, nearby residents may experience an increase in aircraft noise at times, according to the GTAA. And while scheduled flights will not be impacted by the runway closure, passengers may notice an increase in runway taxi times or longer waits at their gates.

Runway 06L/24R, an east-west landing strip, was built in the 1960s and is in desperate need of upgrades to ensure aircraft and passenger safety, the GTAA says.

The airport adds that the extensive work to be completed will “ensure the continued safe operation of the airport, and consequently the safety of passengers, employees and the communities we serve.”