Towards the beginning of September, the GTAA was informed by The Institute of Transport Management (ITM) that Toronto Pearson had been awarded the title of “Best Global Airport 2006.” The award for “Best Global Airport 2006” from ITM—an organization formed in the U.K. in 1977 with the express aim of providing further education and information to transport managers—is granted on the basis of their annual aviation research program.

Each year, ITM sets out to determine which airport has demonstrated the political leadership and commitment backed by considerable investment to handle the challenges that lie ahead for International airports. The GTAA received notice that Toronto Pearson received ITM’s vote as “Best International Airport 2006 - North America region” towards the end of August. The airport was chosen to receive this award by ITM members and their independent research team. Subsequent notification sent by ITM early in September announced that Toronto Pearson had also been awarded the title of “Best Global Airport 2006”, outperforming the best European, Middle Eastern and Asian Airports.

“Through testimonies from users of the airport and similar-sized airports across Canada and the U.S., it became evident that Toronto Pearson International Airport was a worthy recipient of this award," said ITM’s Media and PR Director, Patrick Sheedy. Receiving this industry award provides further support for the many initiatives undertaken by the GTAA over the past decade, specifically with regards to the Airport Development Program (ADP).

According to ITM, industry forecasters predict that over the next decade, worldwide demand for air transport will continue to grow strongly, with passenger traffic set to double by 2020. To meet this demand, the world's airports will have to accommodate a 95 per cent increase in the number of passenger flights, and this will require both the upgrading of existing facilities and investment in new capacity— both of which the GTAA incorporated in its Master Plan for 2000-2020.

“The journey is no longer the destination. Airports are judged in the most part by their efficiency and credited for the minimum time actually spent there,” said Mr. Sheedy. “As our research bears out, passengers want hassle free travel, airlines want to offer better service to their customers, airports want better and more efficient use of their facilities. It is the Awards Committee's opinion that Toronto's strong management structure enables all of this— through its high operational standards and service excellence.” In his letter,Mr. Sheedy went on to praise many other facets of GTAA/Toronto Pearson, including its sophisticated IT&T network, Terminal 1’s architecture and userfriendly design and the fact that the GTAA’s foresight has positioned Toronto Pearson to handle the challenges that lay ahead.

“I congratulate every airport employee, for in some way, each of you has done something that makes this airport as good as it is,” said GTAA President and CEO, John Kaldeway. “Receiving an award of this nature solidifies what we already know and proves that we are on the right path and that the world is taking notice. We have established a model emulated by other airports and have set the standard for how an airport should operate and I thank you for your hard work.”