Slots will temporarily be required for business and general aviation operators at Toronto Pearson International Airport starting tomorrow due to an increase in overall aircraft operations combined with a runway rehabilitation project. According to NBAA, business and general aviation operators are required to book arrival and departure slots up to 48 hours before estimated time of departure (ETD) or arrival (ETA).
Awarded on a first come, first served basis, the slots can be booked by calling the Greater Toronto Airport Authority (GTAA) at (416) 776-7568. They will be valid one hour before and after the ETD or ETA, though operations are not permitted within the night-flight restricted operating hours between 12:30 a.m. and 6:29 a.m. without prior permission.
The rehabilitation of Runway 05/23 is scheduled from March 28 until May 16, and then again between October 10 and November 3. During these times, no arrival slots will be available between 3 p.m. and 7:59 p.m., but departure slots will still be assigned. The GTAA asks that operators cancel slots they will not use.
Flights involving medevac, heads of state, helicopters, military, police and sports charters are exempt from the slot requirement.