Wednesday, March 07, 2012

Residents lash out at Greater Toronto Airports Authority

The Greater Toronto Airports Authority (GTAA)was forced to go on the defence this evening, telling close to 200 residents at a community meeting it wants Pearson Airport to be a global hub with more nightime flights.

The idea however didn't fly with most in attendance, many of whom were infuriated Pearson International Airport is seeking permission to increase the number of flights that arrive and depart late at night and in the early morning hours.

"Are you going to pay me the difference when my property value goes down," Applewood Hills resident Jim Frederick told a GTAA member.

Currently, an average of 36 flights arrive at or depart from the airport daily between 12:30 and 6:30 a.m. Pearson officials are asking Transport Canada to allow them to increase that number to 41 flights.
 
A decision is expected from Transport Canada this year.

The GTAA, which operates Pearson, hosted a public meeting/open house on the issue tonight at the Dixie Curling Club to "help people understand the complexity of an international airport," according to GTAA spokesperson Lorrie McKee.

"We're responding to demand and the demand for nightime flights is increasing," she told The News. "We want to be a global hub and we're having to turn flights away and that's a lost opportunity."

McKee said Pearson has been engaging the community via public meetings and its website (www.torontopearson.com/nightflightsoutreach), although it isn't required to as part of the application process.

Applewood Heights resident Pablo Loeffler said he is worried that increased flights will prove to be a disturbance to him and his neighbours. He's also concerned about the affect on property values and quality of life.

Loeffler said that while the flights don't wake him, they're loud and intrusive.

"I don't want to see an increase; I want a decrease in night flights," said Loeffler.

Applewood Hills resident Michelle Robyniuk said she too, is opposed to the increase.

"I can hear them from my house. You can definitely hear them," she said.

To help manage the impact of night flights, the airport uses runways that don't pass over heavily-populated areas and it doesn't allow low-altitude turns by departing planes, the GTAA said.

Ward 3 councillor Chris Fonseca, who attended tonight's meeting, said MPs need to "get engaged."

There were no MPs at tonight's meeting.

Fonseca said residents are part of this process and their voices must be heard.

"It's a balance between what's good for the economy and business and on the other end you have our neighbourhoods and we have to respect that," she said. "I recognize the airport is an economic driver. No matter what, planes will be flying over neighbourhoods."

http://www.mississauga.com

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