The site of the airport was previously home to Hanlans Point baseball stadium and an amusement park before being converted in the late 1930s. The first commercial flight took off on September 8, 1939. During World War II, it served as a military training base for forces including the Royal Norwegian Air Force.
Porter Airlines uses Billy Bishop as its main hub. Owned by Porter Aviation Holdings, Porter operates most flights from YTZ using De Havilland Canada DHC-8-400 aircraft. After launching in 2006 and resolving legal disputes over terminal use with Air Canada Jazz, Porter expanded its operations significantly. Jet services have been proposed but not approved by local authorities; larger jet operations now occur out of Toronto Pearson International Airport.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Porter suspended all flights but secured government support to maintain financial stability during this period.
In recent years, expansion plans have included establishing US border preclearance facilities at YTZ with CA$30 million ($21 million) in federal funding announced in 2023; these are expected to open by 2025 and allow passengers to clear US customs before departure from Toronto. This development could enable expansion into up to ten new US cities.
Air Canada operates limited routes from YTZ—specifically Montreal and Ottawa—and opened an airline lounge at the airport in partnership with Swissport and Aspire under the Air Canada Cafe brand in 2023.
PortsToronto has proposed runway extensions for safety compliance per Transport Canada requirements; however, city council only approved minimum extensions rather than broader plans presented by PortsToronto.
Porter Airlines provides most domestic connections within Ontario as well as other eastern provinces such as Quebec and Nova Scotia. It also offers direct international flights to select US destinations including Boston Logan International Airport (BOS), Chicago Midway, Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR), and Washington Dulles.
Currently all US-bound passengers must clear customs upon arrival but this will change once preclearance opens later this year—making Billy Bishop one of nine Canadian airports offering such facilities alongside others like Calgary International Airport or Vancouver International Airport (https://www.cbp.gov/travel/international-visitors/pleasure-boats-private-flyers/preclearance-locations).
Billy Bishop’s lease agreement extends until 2045. The airport generates significant economic output—estimated at CA$2.1 billion ($1.5 billion)—and supports many jobs locally.
Passenger satisfaction remains high: according to International Airport Review surveys cited by airport officials, about 78% expressed positive opinions of Billy Bishop while passenger satisfaction reached up to 98%.
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