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Data source: OurAirports (2026-09-01 Snapshot) · Methodology & Verification →

Toronto Pearson International Airport

Toronto, Ontario (Canada)

IATA: YYZ ICAO: CYYZ

Longest Active Runway

11,120 ft

3,389 meters

Field Elevation

569 ft

173 m MSL

Runway Inventory

5 active

Lighted / Paved

Coordinates & Class

43.6759°, -79.6294°

LARGE AIRPORT

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Multi-Universe Rankings & Statistical Standing

Ranking Universes Guide →

RunwayFacts Published Dataset

#347 of 650

In curated primary commercial index

Global Commercial Universe

#559 of 7558

Top 7.4% percentile worldwide

National Standing (Canada)

#3 in CA

#6 of 411 in full national registry

vs Large Airport Median

+11.2%

Compared to 10,000 ft baseline

💡 Statistical Statement: Toronto Pearson International Airport's longest active runway measures 11,120 ft (3,389 m). Within RunwayFacts' published index of 650 aerodromes, it ranks #347. Across the broader global dataset of 7558 commercial facilities, it ranks #559 worldwide (Top 7.4%) and #3 nationally in Canada.

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Editorial Aerodrome Deep Dive: Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ)

Curated Aerodrome Profile

Toronto Pearson International Airport is Canada's primary commercial aviation hub. Its five-runway geometry offers exceptional operational flexibility, allowing air traffic control to switch runway alignments seamlessly when winter Arctic blizzards bring severe crosswinds. Both Runway 05/23 and 15L/33R exceed 11,000 ft, supporting heavy Air Canada international widebody departures to Europe, South America, and Asia.

Runway Layout & Magnetic Alignments

Five active runways: east-west parallel pair 05/23 (11,120 ft) and 06L/24R (9,697 ft) / 06R/24L (9,000 ft), plus north-south crosswind pair 15L/33R (11,050 ft) and 15R/33L (9,088 ft).

Expansion Milestones & Predecessor Facilities

Opened in 1939 as Malton Airport. Rebuilt with Terminal 1 (Aeroquay One) in 1964 and revolutionized by the new Terminal 1 complex in 2004; named after former Prime Minister Lester B. Pearson in 1984.

Regional Differentiation & Cluster Role

Canada's busiest commercial aerodrome, operating alongside Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport (YTZ, 11 NM southeast) which is restricted to regional turboprops.

Data Nuances & Operational Quirks

Operates the world's most sophisticated centralized aircraft de-icing facility (CDF), capable of de-icing up to 12 widebody aircraft simultaneously during severe Canadian winter storms.

📚 Official Aerodrome Sourcing: Transport Canada & NAV CANADA · Canada Flight Supplement (CFS) & NAV CANADA AIP

Verification Methodology →

🔬 Operational & Aerodrome Engineering Comparative Analysis

Comparative aviation metrics evaluated against regional and global physical operational criteria.

ICAO Code 4E / 4F Super-Heavy

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Elevation & Atmospheric Density

Lowland / Coastal Basin Aerodrome

Toronto Pearson International Airport operates at a surveyed field elevation of 569 ft (173 m MSL) in Toronto. Situated in low-lying coastal terrain, the aerodrome benefits from dense ambient atmospheric pressure, maximizing turbine engine thrust and wing lift efficiency across all departure vectors.

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Regional Density & Alternates (100 NM)

0 Qualifying Aerodromes in Vicinity

Canada's busiest commercial aerodrome, operating alongside Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport (YTZ, 11 NM southeast) which is restricted to regional turboprops. The facility operates as an isolated regional aviation anchor with no other major paved commercial aerodromes within 100 NM.

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Fleet Compatibility & Ground Roll

Primary Runway: 11,120 ft (3,389 m)

Toronto Pearson International Airport's active flight strips comprise 05/23 (11,120 ft), 15L/33R (11,050 ft), 06L/24R (9,697 ft), 15R/33L (9,088 ft), 06R/24L (9,000 ft). With a longest active threshold of 11,120 ft (3,389 m), the aerodrome satisfies unrestricted long-haul takeoff and landing distance requirements for heavy twin-aisle and four-engine widebodies (ICAO Code 4E/4F).

🛫 Physical Runway Inventory & Surface Engineering

Runway Designator	Length (ft / m)	Width (ft / m)	Surface Material	Lighting	Status
05/23	11,120 ft (3389m)	200 ft (61m)	`Asphalt (ASP), Concrete (CONC)`	✅ Lighted	✅ Active
15L/33R	11,050 ft (3368m)	200 ft (61m)	`Asphalt (ASP)`	✅ Lighted	✅ Active
06L/24R	9,697 ft (2956m)	200 ft (61m)	`Asphalt (ASP)`	✅ Lighted	✅ Active
15R/33L	9,088 ft (2770m)	200 ft (61m)	`Asphalt (ASP)`	✅ Lighted	✅ Active
06R/24L	9,000 ft (2743m)	200 ft (61m)	`Asphalt (ASP)`	✅ Lighted	✅ Active

🛡️ Data Provenance & Verification Metadata

Source Dataset: OurAirports Open Aviation Database

Snapshot Version: 2026-09-01

Dataset Integrity: Cryptographic SHA-256 Checksum Verified & Fail-Closed Schema Inspected

Source Verification: Source-reported registry data

Read Complete Methodology & Verification Protocol → GET /api/airport/yyz.json ↗