Barrie, Ontario: Airport Or No?

Barrie, Ontario, Canada, is serviced by several airports, with the closest major airport being Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ). This airport is 50 miles or 93km from Barrie and can be reached by bus in around one hour. The city is also served by the Lake Simcoe Regional Airport, formerly known as the Oro Barrie Orillia Regional Airport, which is located 23km from Barrie. This airport is a registered aerodrome that operates as a regional airport and is jointly owned by the County of Simcoe and the City of Barrie.

Nearest major airport: Toronto Pearson International Airport

The closest major airport to Barrie, Ontario, is Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ/CYYZ). Located in Toronto, Canada, this airport is approximately 93 kilometres from the centre of Barrie. Flixbus USA operates a daily bus service from Toronto Pearson Airport to Barrie, with tickets costing between $7 and $40. The journey takes about an hour.

Toronto Pearson International Airport is a significant aviation hub, serving a wide range of passengers, including those travelling to and from Barrie. The airport is easily accessible from Barrie, with a quick and convenient highway connection.

While Toronto Pearson International Airport is the nearest major airport, there are several other airports in the vicinity of Barrie. Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport (YTZ/CYTZ) is an alternative option, situated 106 kilometres from Barrie. Additionally, the Region of Waterloo International Airport in Kitchener, Canada (YKF/CYKF), is located 161 kilometres away.

For those seeking a smaller, local airport, the Lake Simcoe Regional Airport (CYLS) is a viable choice. This airport is positioned near Highway 11 in the township of Oro-Medonte, Ontario, and is approximately 23 kilometres from Barrie. The City of Barrie jointly owns 10% of this airport, which underwent upgrades and expansions in 2010 to enhance operational safety and foster economic growth.

Local airport: Barrie Executive Airpark

Barrie Executive Airpark is a local airport located just 5km from Barrie, Ontario. It is one of several local airports in the area, with others including Lake Simcoe Regional Airport, Oro-Medonte Lake Simcoe Regional Airport, and CFB Borden, all within a 26km radius of Barrie.

Facilities and Operations

As a local airport, Barrie Executive Airpark caters to pilots and general aviation. While specific details of the airport's facilities are not readily available, it likely has basic amenities and infrastructure to support private flights and small aircraft operations.

Regional Aviation

The Lake Simcoe Regional Airport, located 23km from Barrie, is the closest regional airport. This airport is jointly owned by the County of Simcoe (90%) and the City of Barrie (10%). It underwent upgrades and expansion in 2010 to enhance safety and cater to growing economic demands. The airport is an International Port of Entry, fully serviced by the Canada Border Services Agency, and can accommodate a range of aircraft, including large corporate jets and narrow-body airliners like the B737-800.

Major Airports

The closest major airport to Barrie is Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ), located 93km away in Toronto, Ontario. This airport serves as the primary gateway for the region, offering a comprehensive range of domestic and international flights.

Closest airport: Toronto (YYZ) Airport

The closest airport to Barrie, Ontario, is Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ). This airport is 50 miles or 93 km from the centre of Barrie, and it takes about an hour to travel between the two. Flixbus USA operates a bus from the airport to Barrie once daily, with tickets costing between $7 and $40.

Toronto Pearson International Airport is Canada's busiest airport and is located in the city of Mississauga, which is part of the Greater Toronto Area. The airport is a major hub for Air Canada and is served by a number of other airlines, including major carriers such as American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and United Airlines.

While Toronto Pearson International Airport is the closest major airport to Barrie, there are also several smaller local airports in the area. These include the Lake Simcoe Regional Airport (CYLS), which is located about 23 km from Barrie, and the Barrie Executive Airpark, which is just 5 km from the city.

Other nearby airports: Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport

The Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport is located on the Toronto Islands in Lake Ontario, Canada. It is just minutes from downtown Toronto, at the foot of Bathurst Street. The airport is accessible via ferry or through the 260-metre pedestrian tunnel that connects to the mainland. The airport is served by the 509 Harbourfront and 511 Bathurst streetcar routes. A shuttle bus to Union Station and the Fairmont Royal York is also provided.

The airport is named after Billy Bishop, the Canadian World War I flying ace and World War II Air Marshal. It is often referred to as the Toronto Island Airport and was previously known as the Toronto City Centre Airport.

The airport is used by civil aviation, air ambulances, and regional airlines using turboprop planes. It offers service to more than 20 cities in Canada and the US. In 2022, it was ranked as Canada's ninth-busiest airport.

The airport has one main runway, a shorter runway 20 degrees off, and a seaplane base. It is operated as a division of PortsToronto, a federal corporation that also manages the Toronto Harbour. The airport is classified as an airport of entry and is staffed by the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA).

The Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport is an excellent option for travellers looking for a convenient and accessible airport in the Toronto area.

Lake Simcoe Regional Airport: Oro-Medonte, Ontario

The Lake Simcoe Regional Airport (IATA: YLK, ICAO: CYLS), formerly the Oro Barrie Orillia Regional Airport, is a modern and well-equipped airport located in Oro-Medonte, Ontario, Canada. The airport is jointly owned by the County of Simcoe (90%) and the City of Barrie (10%) and serves the municipalities of Barrie, Orillia, and Oro-Medonte.

Strategically positioned in the "Greater Golden Horseshoe," recognized as one of the fastest-growing regions in North America, Lake Simcoe Regional Airport is conveniently located just an hour north of Toronto. It offers quick and easy highway access to both the Greater Toronto Area and Central Ontario's Cottage Country.

The airport is designed to accommodate a wide range of aircraft, from large corporate jets and turboprops to narrow-body airliners like the B737-800. It has a runway length of 6,001 feet and a width of 150 feet.

In 2010, the City of Barrie and the Township of Oro-Medonte jointly upgraded and expanded the airport to enhance operational safety and promote economic development. The expansion included taxiway and apron development, airfield pavement rehabilitation, air terminal building expansion, airport security enhancements, and various infrastructure upgrades.

Lake Simcoe Regional Airport is classified as an airport of entry by Nav Canada and is staffed by the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) on a call-out basis. CBSA officers can handle aircraft with up to 24 passengers. The airport is open year-round and offers 24-hour availability for chartered flights and other aviation services.

Frequently asked questions