We are delighted to welcome back Virgin Atlantic to Toronto Pearson! We had the honour of hosting Sir Richard Branson and the Virgin Atlantic team as we celebrated our renewed partnership and the exciting expansion of service on the Toronto–London Heathrow route.
Last year alone, more than 623,000 passengers travelled between Pearson and Heathrow, and that number is expected to grow with Virgin Atlantic’s new daily service. Between April and December 2025, the airline will add 130,000 seats to this key transatlantic corridor. London Heathrow was our busiest international route by seat capacity in 2024—and it's on track to remain the leading route in 2025.
This connection also holds significant economic value. In 2024, the UK was Canada’s third-largest single-country trading partner for goods and services, with bilateral trade reaching $61 billion. Around 3,500 Canadian companies—93% of them small and medium-sized businesses—export goods to the UK, underscoring the importance of strong, reliable air travel.
London is also a major global hub, connecting passengers and goods to destinations beyond the UK, including Africa, India, and the Middle East.We extend our sincere thanks to Sir Richard Branson, the Virgin Atlantic team, and all who joined us to mark this special occasion. We’re excited for the journey ahead and the opportunities this route will create for travellers and businesses alike.