Airport

$20 million gold, high-value goods stolen in heist at Toronto Pearson Airport

According to police, a total of $20 million in gold and other high-value items were stolen after being unloaded from an aircraft at Toronto Pearson International Airport. The heist occurred on Monday, when a “high-value container” was stolen from a holding cargo facility after being taken off a plane that landed at the airport, according to police.

A short while afterwards, the missing goods were reported to the police. Police refused to disclose which airline shipped the package or where the plane came from.

Although “very rare,” Inspector Duivesteyn emphasized that this particular heist was an isolated incidence that did not constitute a continuing threat to the safety of the public. He assured everyone that Pearson was going on as usual.

Police have not identified any suspects and have not made any arrests. We’ve been here three days, so our investigators are looking at every possibility, Duivesteyn added. Police did not disclose any suspect information, and no arrests have been made. Since it has been three days, Duivesteyn stated, “our investigators are looking at every possibility.”

A brief statement from the Greater Toronto Airports Authority confirming that they are aware of the incident that happened earlier this week was provided to CTV News Toronto.

The statement says, “The GTAA wishes to clarify that thieves accessed the public side of a warehouse that is leased to a third party, outside of our primary security line.” This did not include entry to Toronto Pearson and posed no danger to customers or GTAA employees.

Airport

Western Sydney Airport Welcomes Its First Plane After 6 Years of construction

In a historic milestone for Australia’s aviation sector, the first plane has officially taken off and landed at Western Sydney Airport after six years of construction, much to the delight of a small but enthusiastic group of dedicated planespotters.

A test pilot made the inaugural landing using a Piper PA-30 Twin Comanche, successfully completing a series of take-off and landing runs on the newly built tarmac. This crucial test paves the way for larger passenger aircraft, which are expected to start using the runway in two years.

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The Piper PA-30 was employed to assess the airport’s approximately 3,000 Aeronautical Ground Lights (AGLs) by executing operations in various conditions, including daylight, dusk, and evening. This testing ensures that the lighting system is fit for purpose and ready to welcome aircraft when the airport opens to commercial flights in late 2026.

The pilot also highlighted that the rapid exit taxiways have been designed at a 45-degree angle, allowing for quicker transitions on and off the runway. Once operational, the airport will feature a single runway capable of handling up to 10 million passengers annually right from day one.

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As the construction phase nears completion, the airport’s main terminal, apron, and supporting infrastructure will be ready to accommodate around 81,000 flights each year. This milestone marks a significant moment for Western Sydney Airport, the first new airport to open in Australia since Melbourne’s Tullamarine Airport more than two decades ago.

Major airlines, including Qantas and Jetstar, have already committed to operating from the 24/7 facility, signaling strong support for this new hub. By 2033, the airport aims to handle up to 10 million passengers and facilitate extensive air traffic movements annually.