Discover Toronto's Billy Bishop Airport

what is at billy bishop airport

Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport (IATA: YTZ, ICAO: CYTZ) is a regional airport located on the Toronto Islands in Ontario, Canada. The airport is named after William Avery Billy Bishop, a Canadian World War I flying ace and World War II Air Marshal. It is conveniently located just minutes from downtown Toronto and offers easy access to the city by public transit, car, shuttle, bike, or ferry. The airport is known for its friendly and well-trained staff, short wait times, and full-service amenities, including duty-free shopping and rental car services. In 2022, Billy Bishop Airport was ranked as Canada's ninth-busiest airport, serving over 20 destinations.

Characteristics Values
Name Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport
IATA YTZ
ICAO CYTZ
Location Toronto Islands, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Year of Construction 1939
Operating Hours 5:00 AM to 11:00 PM
Number of Destinations 20+
Transportation Options Ferry, pedestrian tunnel, public transit, car, bike, complimentary shuttle, taxi, ridesharing services
Amenities Duty-free shopping, rental car counters, short-term and long-term parking, curbside passenger drop-off

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Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport is located on the Toronto Islands, southwest of downtown Toronto, and is about three kilometres from Toronto's downtown core. It is accessible via ferry or a 260-metre pedestrian tunnel that connects to the mainland. A ferry operates between the airport and the mainland every 15 minutes from 5:15 a.m. to midnight. The pedestrian tunnel is located at the foot of Eireann Quay and is free to use.

The airport is easily accessible by public transit, car, bike, or on foot. A free shuttle bus service operates between the intersection of York Street and Front Street and the airport. There is a taxi stand at the dock, and ridesharing services such as Lyft and Uber are also available. For those dropping off passengers, there is a convenient curb-side passenger drop-off available. Short-term and long-term parking is available at the dock and on the island.

For those travelling by bike, there is a Bike Share Toronto station located at the corner of Bathurst Street and Queens Quay, minutes from the airport. The airport is also accessible by subway, with the 509 Harbourfront streetcar line connecting to the Bathurst Street and Queens Quay intersection.

The airport is operated as a division of PortsToronto, a federal corporation that also manages Toronto Harbour. It is classified as an airport of entry by Nav Canada and is staffed by the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA).

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History and naming

Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport (IATA: YTZ, ICAO: CYTZ) is located on the Toronto Islands in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. It is often referred to as Toronto Island Airport and was previously known as Port George VI Island Airport and Toronto City Centre Airport.

The airport is named after William Avery "Billy" Bishop, a Canadian World War I flying ace and World War II Air Marshal. The decision to rename the airport was announced in January 2009, and the new name was officially adopted at the Toronto Port Authority's (TPA) annual meeting on September 3, 2009.

The airport was conceived in the 1930s as the main airport for Toronto, and construction was completed in 1939 by the Toronto Harbour Commission (THC). However, the nearby Malton Airport (now Toronto Pearson International Airport) became Toronto's main passenger airline hub, relegating the island airport to general aviation and military purposes. Today, Billy Bishop Airport is used by civil aviation, air ambulances, and regional airlines operating turboprop planes. In 2022, it was ranked as Canada's ninth busiest airport.

The airport is accessible via a ferry or a 260-metre pedestrian tunnel that connects to the mainland. It offers convenient transportation options, including a complimentary shuttle service to Toronto's Union Station, public transit, car, bike, and ridesharing services. Billy Bishop Airport has been recognised for its friendly service, short wait times, and convenient access, contributing to a pleasant travel experience for passengers.

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Facilities and services

Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport is located on the Toronto Islands, just three kilometres from downtown Toronto. The airport is easily accessible by public transit, car, bike, foot, and complimentary shuttle. A ferry operates between the mainland and the airport every 15 minutes from 5:15 a.m. to midnight, and a 260-metre pedestrian tunnel connects the mainland to the island terminal. The airport is also accessible by taxi, with a taxi stand at the dock, and ridesharing services like Lyft and Uber are available.

The airport offers a range of facilities and services to enhance the travel experience. It provides accessible services and facilities, including special assistance for those who need it. The airport also has a convenient curb-side passenger drop-off area. For travellers who prefer to drive themselves, there are multiple parking options available, including short-term and long-term parking at the dock and on the island.

Billy Bishop Airport offers a seamless travel experience with friendly and well-trained staff committed to making the airport experience enjoyable and stress-free. The airport provides a range of amenities, including shops where travellers can purchase duty-free luxury items, gifts, souvenirs, and travel essentials. There are also rental car counters conveniently located onsite, allowing for easy pick-up and return of rental cars.

The airport serves over 20 destinations and offers short wait times. It is classified as an airport of entry by Nav Canada and is staffed by the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA). CBSA officers can handle aircraft with up to 90 passengers. The airport operates from 6:45 a.m. to 11:00 p.m., with MEDEVAC flights allowed outside these hours. The airport also has a seaplane base, Billy Bishop Toronto City Water Aerodrome, and is used for regional airline services, general aviation, and medical evacuation flights.

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Flight destinations

Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport offers flights to 20+ destinations. The airport is located on the Toronto Islands, southwest of downtown Toronto, and is easily accessible by multiple modes of transportation.

Passengers can take a ferry or walk through the pedestrian tunnel to reach the airport from the mainland. The airport is also conveniently located for those who prefer biking, with a Bike Share Toronto station nearby. For those arriving by car, the airport provides both short-term and long-term parking options. Additionally, complimentary shuttle buses connect the airport to Toronto's Union Station, and taxi services are available as well.

As for flight destinations, Billy Bishop Airport serves various regions across Canada and the United States. The airport is a hub for regional airlines and general aviation. Passengers can fly to popular Canadian destinations such as Montreal, Sault Ste. Marie, and Northern Ontario. It also offers convenient connections to the United States, making it easier for travellers heading to the US.

The airport's single east-west runway and shorter runway facilitate these flights, along with a seaplane base, Billy Bishop Toronto City Water Aerodrome. The airport is also equipped to handle medical evacuation flights and small charter services.

Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport provides an enjoyable travel experience with its convenient location, friendly staff, and efficient services, making it a preferred choice for travellers looking for stress-free air travel.

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Expansion plans

Billy Bishop Airport, officially known as Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport, has a history of expansion plans, some of which have been realised, while others have been proposed and later cancelled. The airport is located on the Toronto Islands, just a short distance from downtown Toronto, and offers convenient access to travellers.

In 2009, the Toronto Port Authority (TPA) announced its decision to purchase a larger ferry to support the activities of Porter, one of the airlines operating at the airport. The CA$5 million ferry, named Marilyn Bell I, was financed through the airport improvement fee charged to passengers. This addition improved transportation options for passengers travelling to and from the airport.

In 2013, Porter proposed a significant expansion plan that included modifying the operating agreement to allow the use of Bombardier CS100 jet planes at the airport. The proposal was estimated to cost CA$1 billion in public expenditure and was sent to PortsToronto (formerly TPA) for further study. However, in 2015, the new government announced that it would not reopen the tripartite agreement to allow jets, leading Ports Toronto to cancel the expansion proposal studies.

The airport has continued to focus on enhancing the travel experience, offering convenient access, friendly service, and efficient operations. It provides travel to 20+ destinations, short wait times, and full-service amenities. The airport has also been recognised for its high standards, being named the "Best Airport in North America" in two categories based on 2016 surveys.

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Frequently asked questions

Billy Bishop Airport, also known as Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport, is located on the Toronto Islands in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. It is only three kilometres from Toronto's downtown core.

You can get to Billy Bishop Airport by public transit, car, bike, on foot, or by taking a complimentary shuttle bus from Union Station. There is also a ferry and a pedestrian tunnel that connects the airport to the mainland.

Billy Bishop Airport offers rental car services, a taxi stand, and short-term and long-term parking. The airport also has duty-free shops, travel essentials, and a shuttle bus service with free on-board Wi-Fi.

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