Uber, Lyft now welcome at Toronto's Pearson International Airport

Uber and Lyft can now pick up and drop off passengers at Toronto's Pearson International Airport as part of a new pilot project.

Canada's largest airport announced the pilot on Tuesday morning, noting in a news release there's "significant demand" from passengers for access to ride-hailing services.

Previously, only licensed taxis and limos served the airport, which moved some 47 million passengers last year. The airport's decision to change that could prove controversial.

The City of Toronto has already seen major protests over its decision to allow ride-hailing services, and tension remains high between tech-driven platforms like Uber and the traditional taxi industry.

However, the airport market is clearly lucrative. Police recently issued a warning to weary travellers to look out for unlicensed taxis, dubbed "scoopers," who may be operating with nefarious intentions.   

"We believe that a pilot of full ride sharing options is timely at Toronto Pearson, and in line with other airports across Canada and the U.S. already offering this service," said the airport's vice president of customer and terminal services in the news release.

Other Canadian airports already allow ride-hailing

Lyft Canada's managing director issued a statement saying the company is "thrilled" to be able to operate at the airport.

Passengers "can count on a convenient and affordable Lyft ride to and from the airport," said Lyft's Aaron Zifkin in an email statement.

The airport notes some 200 North American airports already allow ride-hailing, including Canadian airports like Ottawa, Montreal, Edmonton and Calgary.

The airport didn't say how long the pilot will last, but says it will monitor how the changes affect transportation to and from the facility.