Flights to and from Toronto’s Pearson airport encountered delays on Tuesday evening following the evacuation of a tower responsible for managing aircraft traffic at gates and loading zones due to reported smoke, as confirmed by the airport. Toronto Pearson disclosed on the social media platform X that its apron management unit tower had to be evacuated. Although staff have returned and resumed operations, delays in both arriving and departing flights are being experienced due to an air traffic management protocol that has been implemented, as stated by Toronto Pearson.
Passengers were advised by the airport to directly verify their flight status with their respective airlines. The airport’s website explains that the unit oversees the efficient and secure flow of aircraft traffic on the airport’s apron. Gabriel Bourget, the spokesperson for NAV Canada, clarified in an email on Tuesday evening that the air traffic control tower at Pearson remained operational and unaffected by the evacuation, ensuring continuous communication between pilots and NAV Canada air traffic controllers.
Bourget pointed out that the apron management unit is under the management of the Greater Toronto Airports Authority, while NAV Canada’s air traffic controllers oversee the safe movement of aircraft in the air and on runways and taxiways, with the GTAA handling the areas surrounding the terminal buildings and gates. Air Canada, in a notice to passengers impacted by the delays, characterized the incident involving the GTAA and its apron management unit as a “safety incident.”
Acknowledging the widespread impact on multiple flights which is beyond their control, Air Canada assured passengers that their teams are actively working to minimize delays and apologized for any disruptions caused to travel plans.
