Passengers report multi-day wait for bags at Toronto Pearson airport as items pile up

Many travellers who have recently travelled through Toronto Pearson International Airport tell CityNews they’ve been waiting days for their bags to turn up.

During a visit to Toronto Pearson International Airport on Monday, CityNews saw hundreds of bags in waiting areas at Terminal 1.

Tim, who didn’t provide his last name, told CityNews he flew into the airport on Christmas Eve with presents and ski gear, but has yet to find his items.

He said it was “unfortunate” the airport was in “shambles.”

“As you can see, disaster everywhere,” Tim said.

“(It’s) not fun to spend your Christmas going back and forth just trying to find some luggage — yeah, it’s disappointing.”

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Celeste, who also didn’t provide her last name, said she too flew into Toronto Pearson airport on Dec. 24. She said there had been multiple trips back to Terminal 1 to retrieve her bags, adding only one of four had been located.

“Inside the baggage carousel area, there’s just people and bags everywhere and very little information, so it’s disappointing,” she said.

Celeste said she’s filled out reports about the bags. While she said some staff have been helpful, there aren’t enough around due to the holidays.

“I just would expect a little better at YYZ,” Celeste said, adding that the baggage area needs extra cleaning.

“All of the senses are not appealed to over there.”

The complaints both travellers made were consistent with other people CityNews spoke with. Toronto Pearson International Airport officials acknowledged the problems on Twitter.

On Sunday, they said they were working with Air Canada to get lost baggage to passengers. A message said free parking vouchers were being provided to customers to get bags at Terminal 1.

On Monday, a tweet said certain flights leaving out of Terminal 3 “may see baggage delays with machines and airline staff working in extreme cold.”

Sunwing staff tweeted a message saying they have been “informed that the baggage belt in Terminal 3 at Toronto Airport is not operating due to a mechanical issue. This issue affects all carriers in Terminal 3.”

RELATED: Hundreds of passengers wait hours for luggage at Toronto Pearson

However, that tweet prompted Toronto Pearson International Airport staff to respond.

“Terminal 3 baggage has been fully functional since 4:30 a.m. after a combination of cold machinery, delayed arrivals and departing flights caused backups on Christmas Day,” the response said.

“We’re working with Sunwing operations to keep flights on schedule and reunite passengers with delayed bags.”

Officials haven’t clearly indicated when they expect the current issues to be resolved.

Meanwhile, issues surrounding baggage delays aren’t new. At the end of November, passengers reported similar problems.

We’re working with @AirCanada to get your bags back to you for the holidays. If you’ve been contacted by Air Canada you can use a free parking voucher to pick up your bag in T1 until 10 p.m. today. Thank you for your patience and understanding.

— Toronto Pearson (@TorontoPearson) December 25, 2022

Terminal 3 baggage has been fully functional since 4:30 a.m. after a combination of cold machinery, delayed arrivals and departing flights caused backups on Christmas Day. We’re working with Sunwing operations to keep flights on schedule and reunite passengers with delayed bags. https://t.co/OiLg8KpZRz

— Toronto Pearson (@TorontoPearson) December 26, 2022