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Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport (IATA: YTZ, ICAO: CYTZ) is a small regional airport located on the Toronto Islands in Ontario, Canada. It is often referred to as Toronto Island Airport and was previously known as Toronto City Centre Airport. The airport is conveniently located in the heart of the city, offering easy access to downtown Toronto and breathtaking views of the city skyline and Lake Ontario during takeoff and landing. YTZ is known for its efficiency, shorter lines, and quick connections to top attractions in Toronto, making it a popular choice for travellers.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport |
| IATA | YTZ |
| ICAO | CYTZ |
| Location | Toronto Islands, Toronto Harbour, Ontario, Canada |
| Year of Construction | 1939 |
| Previous Names | Port George VI Island Airport, Toronto City Centre Airport |
| Named After | Billy Bishop, Canadian World War I flying ace and World War II Air Marshal |
| Usage | Civil aviation, air ambulances, regional airlines using turboprop planes, medical evacuation flights, small charter flights, private aviation |
| Annual Passenger Traffic | Not available |
| Connections to Mainland | Ferry, 260-metre pedestrian tunnel |
| Runway | One main east-west runway, a shorter runway 20 degrees off |
| Seaplane Base | Billy Bishop Toronto City Water Aerodrome |
| Amenities | Complimentary baggage carts, nursing pods, duty-free shopping, lost and found |
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What You'll Learn
Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport
The airport was conceived in the 1930s as the main airport for Toronto, with construction completed in 1939 by the Toronto Harbour Commission (THC). However, the nearby Malton Airport (now Toronto Pearson International Airport) became Toronto's primary passenger hub, relegating Billy Bishop Airport to general aviation and military purposes. Despite this, the airport has played a significant role in civil aviation, air ambulances, and regional airlines using turboprop planes.
Billy Bishop Airport is known for its convenience and accessibility, being just minutes away from the city's financial, industrial, and entertainment districts. It offers breathtaking views of the Toronto skyline during take-off and landing. The airport has one main east-west runway, a shorter runway at a 20-degree angle, and a seaplane base called the Billy Bishop Toronto City Water Aerodrome. It is connected to the mainland by a 260-metre pedestrian tunnel and a ferry system, which is often noted as the world's shortest scheduled ferry run.
The airport has a range of services and facilities to enhance the travel experience, including complimentary baggage carts, nursing pods, a secure Lost and Found, duty-free shopping, and restaurants featuring locally sourced cuisine. In 2017, the airport was recognised as the "Best Airport in North America" by Airports Council International, based on customer surveys.
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Toronto Island Airport
Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport, also known as Toronto Island Airport, is located on the Toronto Islands in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The airport is named after Billy Bishop, the Canadian World War I flying ace and World War II Air Marshal. It is a small regional airport used for civil aviation, medical flights, and regional airlines using turboprop planes. The airport is known for its convenient location, offering travellers a quick and efficient experience with shorter lines and easy access to downtown Toronto. It is just minutes away from the city's financial, industrial, and entertainment districts.
The airport has a unique location, providing passengers with breathtaking views of the city skyline and Lake Ontario during takeoff and landing. It is connected to the mainland by a ferry system, with ferries carrying passengers across a 121-metre (400-foot) gap, known as the world's shortest scheduled ferry run. A pedestrian tunnel, measuring 260 metres (850 feet), also connects the airport to the mainland, providing quick and reliable access.
Billy Bishop Airport has a range of amenities and services for travellers' comfort and convenience. It features duty-free shopping for luxury items, gifts, souvenirs, and travel essentials. The airport also showcases local talent through its Perspectives Artist Program. In addition, travellers can take advantage of complimentary baggage carts, nursing pods, and a secure Lost and Found service.
The history of the airport dates back to the 1930s when it was conceived as the main airport for Toronto. Construction was completed in 1939 by the Toronto Harbour Commission (THC), along with the construction of Malton Airport (now Toronto Pearson International Airport) as an alternate. However, due to various factors, the island airport became primarily used for general aviation and military purposes. Despite facing challenges and discussions of closure in the 1970s and 1990s, the airport has continued to operate and improve. In 2010, a new terminal was opened, and in 2015, the pedestrian tunnel further enhanced access to the airport.
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YTZ airport amenities
Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport (YTZ) is located on the Toronto Islands, just minutes from downtown Toronto. The airport is accessible by a pedestrian tunnel or a brief ferry ride, connecting travellers directly to the heart of the city. Its proximity to the city's business and cultural hubs makes it a convenient option for travellers, especially those on tight schedules.
When it comes to amenities, YTZ offers a range of services to ensure a smooth and enjoyable travel experience. The airport provides complimentary baggage carts, nursing pods, and a secure Lost and Found service. For travellers looking for last-minute gifts or treats, the airport features duty-free shopping with luxury items, souvenirs, and travel essentials.
YTZ also boasts efficient check-in and security processes, streamlining the travel experience and leaving more time to enjoy the terminal's offerings. The airport is known for its friendly and well-trained staff, who are committed to making the airport experience as stress-free as possible.
While YTZ primarily handles flights within Canada and to the United States, it still offers a range of dining options and lounges to cater to travellers' needs. The airport's smaller size contributes to a comfortable and convenient journey, making it a preferred choice for those seeking quick access to downtown Toronto and regional travel within North America.
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Transport to/from YTZ
Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport (YTZ) is located on the Toronto Islands, just minutes from downtown Toronto. It is easily accessible by several means of transport.
By Ferry
The airport is connected to the mainland by a ferry that carries passengers across a 121-metre (400 ft) gap, often noted as the world's shortest scheduled ferry run.
By Train and Tram
You can take the train to Toronto Union Station, walk to Toronto Union Station, take the line 509 vehicle to Queens Quay Loop at Lower Spadina Ave, walk to Mainland, then take the car ferry to the Billy Bishop Airport Ferry Terminal.
By Bus
There is a bus service from Toronto Pearson Airport to Billy Bishop Airport Ferry Terminal via Toronto, Queens Quay/Ferry Docks Station, Queens Quay Loop at Lower Spadina Ave, and Mainland. The journey takes around 1 hour and 10 minutes.
By Car
The airport is 17 miles away from Toronto Airport (YYZ), with a road distance of 16.6 miles. Driving is the cheapest way to get to Billy Bishop Airport, costing $3-$6, while taking a taxi is the fastest way, taking 21 minutes and costing $40-$55.
By Tunnel
In 2015, a 260-metre (850 ft) pedestrian tunnel was opened, providing another means of access to the airport from the mainland.
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YTZ airport history
Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport (IATA: YTZ, ICAO: CYTZ) is a small regional airport located on the Toronto Islands in Ontario, Canada. It is just minutes from downtown Toronto and is easily accessible from the foot of Bathurst Street. The airport is named after Billy Bishop, the Canadian World War I flying ace and World War II Air Marshal.
The airport was conceived in the 1930s as the main airport for Toronto, and its construction was completed in 1939 by the Toronto Harbour Commission (THC). At the same time, the THC also built the Malton Airport as an alternative. However, due to its proximity to Lake Ontario and its ability to accommodate floatplanes, the island airport became a more convenient option for connecting passengers and goods to Toronto. The first flight to land at the airport was piloted by Harry Falconer McLean on February 4, 1939.
Despite the initial plans, the nearby Malton Airport (now Toronto Pearson International Airport) became Toronto's main passenger airline hub, leaving the Billy Bishop airport for general aviation and military purposes. During the 1940s and 1950s, several political leaders proposed expanding the Billy Bishop airport to enable scheduled passenger airlines and reduce annual operating costs. In 1962, the government sold Malton to the City of Toronto in exchange for an expansion and improvements to the island airport. This expansion led to a peak of over 200,000 annual civil flights in the 1960s.
In 1983, a 50-year tripartite agreement between the Government of Canada, the City of Toronto government, and the Harbour Commission allowed the airport to continue operations while limiting noise and banning jet use for scheduled airlines. However, in the 1990s, questions about the airport's future arose again due to its annual deficit and the redevelopment of the area north of the airport. In 1999, the new Toronto Port Authority (TPA) replaced the THC with a mandate to make the airport self-sufficient. Despite the political controversy, the TPA worked with regional airlines to increase scheduled carrier flights.
In 2010, Porter Airlines opened a new terminal, and by 2015, a pedestrian tunnel to the airport was opened, providing easy access to the mainland. Today, Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport is ranked as Canada's ninth-busiest airport and continues to be a convenient and essential gateway for travellers to and from Toronto.
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Frequently asked questions
YTZ is Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport, a small regional airport located on the Toronto Islands in Ontario, Canada.
The airport is connected to the mainland by a ferry system that carries passengers across the 121-metre (400-foot) gap in the Western Channel. During airport operating hours, the ferry makes the round trip every 15 minutes. Alternatively, you can access the airport via a 260-metre (850-foot) pedestrian tunnel.
The airport offers complimentary baggage carts, nursing pods, a Lost and Found service, and duty-free shopping for luxury items, gifts, souvenirs, and travel essentials.
