Jazmin Li
Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport, also known as Toronto Island Airport, is a regional airport located on the Toronto Islands in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The airport is named after Billy Bishop, a Canadian World War I flying ace and World War II Air Marshal. In 2023, Air Canada opened a joint venture lounge at the airport, marking the first lounge at the airport. However, in 2024, Ports Toronto presented a plan to extend runways for run-off safety, which was turned down by the Toronto City Council. This decision was made despite the agency's request for an extension of the tripartite agreement to finance the runway extension.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name of Airport | Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport |
| Airport Location | Toronto Islands, southwest of Downtown Toronto |
| Airport Classification | Airport of entry |
| Number of Runways | 2 |
| Seaplane Base | Billy Bishop Toronto City Water Aerodrome |
| Type of Aircraft Used | Regional airline service, general aviation, air ambulances, and regional airlines using turboprop planes |
| Jet Aircraft Ban | Jet aircraft are banned except for MEDEVAC flights |
| Number of Passenger Terminals | 1 |
| Airport Operator | PortsToronto |
| Year of Construction | 1939 |
| Airport Name Inspiration | Billy Bishop, a Canadian World War I flying ace and World War II Air Marshal |
| Safety Requirements | Runways to be extended for run-off safety |
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What You'll Learn
Safety concerns
One notable safety concern at Billy Bishop Airport has been the length of its runways. In 2024, Ports Toronto, the agency responsible for managing the airport, presented a plan to extend the runways to comply with new safety requirements from Transport Canada. The proposal aimed to address the need for additional runway length for run-off safety. This plan was turned down by the Toronto City Council, which instead approved a minimum runway extension to balance safety requirements with other considerations.
The airport's proximity to downtown Toronto has also influenced its safety protocols and aircraft restrictions. Jet aircraft are banned from the airport, except for medical evacuation flights, due to its location near downtown hospitals. This restriction has been in place since the 1980s, when a compromise was reached to allow a limited level of commercial STOL (Short Take-Off and Landing) passenger service while excluding jet airplanes.
Safety considerations have played a pivotal role in shaping the operations and infrastructure of Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport. The extension of runways for safety purposes and the restrictions on jet aircraft highlight the importance of ensuring safe aviation practices at the airport. These measures aim to balance the needs of the aviation industry with the well-being of the surrounding community.
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Transport Canada's new requirements
In 2024, Ports Toronto presented a plan to conform to Transport Canada's new safety requirements, which included extending runways for run-off safety. The proposal also included adding roadways and taxiways. The agency asked for a 40-year extension to the tripartite agreement, arguing that it was necessary to finance the runway extension. However, the Toronto City Council turned down the proposal, approving only a minimum runway extension and a 12-year extension to the tripartite agreement.
The addition of roadways and taxiways is a crucial aspect of Transport Canada's new requirements. These enhancements aim to improve ground transportation and connectivity to and from the airport. The proposed roadways would provide efficient access for emergency vehicles, ensuring timely responses during medical emergencies. Additionally, improved taxiways can facilitate the smooth movement of aircraft between the terminal and the runways, optimizing airport operations and reducing delays.
Furthermore, Transport Canada's new requirements also consider the environmental impact of airport expansions. The extensions and additional infrastructure may have ecological implications, and careful planning is necessary to minimize any potential negative effects on the surrounding natural areas. As Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport is located on the Toronto Islands, environmental considerations are especially important to maintain the delicate balance of the island ecosystem.
To summarize, Transport Canada's new requirements for runway extensions and additional infrastructure focus on safety, operational efficiency, and environmental sustainability. By prioritizing these aspects, Transport Canada aims to ensure that airports across the country, including Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport, can provide safe, efficient, and environmentally responsible services to their passengers and the surrounding communities.
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Toronto City Council's rejection
Toronto City Council has been involved in several discussions and decisions regarding Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport (BBTCA) over the years, including proposals for expansion and changes to aircraft operations.
In 2013, the Council received a request from Porter Airlines to permit jet-powered aircraft operations at BBTCA. The Council requested a review of this request, which included examining the potential impacts on land use, planning, parks, adjacent properties, transportation, and infrastructure investments in the waterfront area. The Council also considered consultant reports and held discussions on the topic.
Following these discussions, in 2014, the Council dealt with requests to amend the Tripartite Agreement governing the airport's lease and operation. The Agreement was originally signed by the three landowners (Ports Toronto, Transport Canada, and the City of Toronto) in 1983 and has been amended multiple times since then. While the Council considered these amendments, it is unclear from the sources whether they were approved or rejected.
In 2015, the Federal Government announced it would not reopen the Tripartite Agreement to remove the prohibition on jet-powered aircraft, leading PortsToronto to cease its study of introducing jets at BBTCA. This decision may have been influenced by health impact assessments and transportation impact assessments conducted as part of the review process.
More recently, in 2024, the Toronto City Council approved Runway End Safety Area (RESA) Option 1 to comply with federally mandated safety regulations. These regulations, published in 2021, require RESA implementation at Canadian airports, including BBTCA, by July 12, 2027.
Overall, the Toronto City Council has played a significant role in evaluating and deciding on proposals related to BBTCA, balancing the interests of various stakeholders and considering the potential impacts on the city and its residents.
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Compromise reached in 1981
In 1978, Transport Minister Otto Lang announced a plan to provide daily scheduled airline services between Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport, Ottawa, and Montreal. The plan included a $5 million investment from the Government of Canada for improvements to the airport, including a covered moving pedestrian sidewalk connecting the airport to Lake Shore Boulevard. However, the Toronto City Council rejected the proposal, and the Canadian Transport Commission agreed that the airport's services were unsatisfactory and required upgrading.
Following the election of Art Eggleton as Toronto mayor, a compromise was reached in 1981. The City of Toronto agreed to a limited level of commercial STOL passenger service, with the exclusion of jet airplanes. A memorandum of understanding was signed by the THC, the City, and Transport Canada, and in 1982, the Canadian Transport Commission issued a license to City Centre Airways to operate Dash 7 planes between the island, Ottawa, and Montreal.
The compromise allowed for a restricted level of commercial passenger service, ensuring that the airport could continue operating while addressing the concerns raised by the Toronto City Council and the Canadian Transport Commission. The exclusion of jet airplanes was a significant factor in the agreement, as it balanced the need for improved services with the potential impact on the surrounding community.
The Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport, located on the Toronto Islands, has a long history dating back to the 1930s. It was conceived as the main airport for Toronto but eventually became a hub for general aviation and military purposes while the nearby Malton Airport, now known as Toronto Pearson International Airport, became the primary passenger airline hub for the city.
Today, the Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport serves over 20 destinations in Canada and the United States, providing convenient access to and from Toronto for approximately 2.8 million passengers annually. It is named after Billy Bishop, a Canadian World War I flying ace and World War II Air Marshal.
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Jet aircraft ban
Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport, located on the Toronto Islands, bans jet aircraft from the airport. The only exception to this rule is for medical evacuation flights (MEDEVAC flights).
The airport was conceived in the 1930s as the main airport for Toronto. However, the nearby Toronto Pearson International Airport became Toronto's main passenger airline hub instead, leaving Billy Bishop Airport for general aviation and military purposes.
In 1978, Transport Minister Otto Lang proposed a plan to provide daily scheduled airline services between the airport, Ottawa, and Montreal using de Havilland Dash 7 STOL planes. This plan was rejected by the Toronto City Council and the Canadian Transport Commission, which stated that the airport's services required upgrading.
A compromise was reached in 1981, allowing a limited level of commercial STOL passenger service and excluding jet airplanes. As a result, Dash 7 planes were operated by City Centre Airways between the island, Ottawa, and Montreal.
In 2024, Ports Toronto presented a plan to extend runways for run-off safety to conform to new safety requirements. The proposal included extending the tripartite agreement by 40 years to finance the runway extension. However, the Toronto City Council approved only a minimum runway extension and a 12-year extension to the agreement.
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Frequently asked questions
In 2025, Toronto City Council turned down Ports Toronto's plan to extend runways for safety, citing the need for a minimum runway extension and a 12-year tripartite agreement extension.
The decision led to a compromise in 1981, where Toronto agreed to limited commercial STOL passenger service and the exclusion of jet planes.
Located on the Toronto Islands, Billy Bishop Airport is Canada's ninth-busiest airport as of 2022. It is used for regional airline service, general aviation, air ambulances, and regional airlines with turboprop planes.
The airport is accessible via roadways and taxiways, with a bus line, local taxi services, and ridesharing options like Uber.
Yes, the airport features a joint venture lounge between Air Canada and Aspire, owned by Swissport, offering dining and lounge services.
