Preclearance would result in enhanced security, increased route offerings and passenger convenience, and could grow airport's annual economic contribution to $5.3 billion

TORONTO, Sept. 27, 2024 /CNW/ - Officials from the Government of Canada, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport (YTZ) gathered this morning near the future site of the airport's U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Preclearance facility, made possible in part by an investment of $30 million by the Government of Canada, to reaffirm their commitment to bring Preclearance to Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport. Preclearance offers enhanced security to the border-crossing process while boosting the economies of both countries through facilitated travel between Canada and the United States.

Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport is the 5th-busiest Canadian airport serving the United States, and the planned expansion of Preclearance to the airport will enhance passenger convenience by allowing U.S.-bound travellers to clear U.S. Customs, Immigration, and Agriculture inspection before takeoff. Travelers then bypass CBP inspections upon U.S. arrival and proceed directly to their connecting flight or destination.

In addition to the significant enhancements to passenger experience, Preclearance will open up more routes to the United States from Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport, potentially growing the airport's annual economic contribution to $5.3 billion, boosting employment on both sides of the border, and strengthening bilateral trade and tourism between the United States and Canada. Preclearance also allows for a shared approach to security. The process allows both countries to manage the border in a way that addresses shared security concerns, including managing threats early.

For the past year, DHS and CBP, in coordination with Transport Canada and Public Safety Canada, have been monitoring plans for the preparation of future Preclearance facilities at Billy Bishop Airport. DHS feels confident in the steps being taken and is now incorporating Billy Bishop in staffing and resource allocation planning and decisions.  While the start of operations must depend on the completion of each project milestone, progress is moving in the right direction.

"The ability to clear U.S. Customs on home soil will greatly enhance the passenger experience, and offer tremendous benefit to the City of Toronto and surrounding region as it will open new markets and amplify the benefits associated with the airport's contribution to facilitating trade and tourism, creating jobs, supporting healthcare and driving innovation," said RJ Steenstra, President and CEO, PortsToronto. "We would like to recognize the Federal Government for its commitment to the long-term future of Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport, and for its investment of $30 million in capital funding to bring U.S. Preclearance to Toronto's downtown airport. We look forward to continued collaboration with all levels of government on both sides of the border to ensure Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport remains a vital piece of transportation infrastructure and an economic driver for Toronto and the surrounding region for many years to come."

"Today's event and the collaborative work from so many partners to bring U.S. Preclearance to the airport positions YTZ to better deliver on the needs of our travellers," said Neil Pakey, President and CEO, Nieuport Aviation. "The increased convenience and choice that Preclearance facilitates must be underpinned by a long-term future for the airport—one that will allow us to continue to be a strong economic driver for Toronto, Ontario and Canada for decades to come."

"The Government of Canada is committed to enhancing travel convenience and security for Canadians. That's why we invested $30 million in June 2023 to build a new U.S. preclearance facility at Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport," said the Honourable Anita Anand, President of the Treasury Board and Minister of Transport. "This initiative will not only improve the passenger experience but also foster economic growth, boost tourism and enhance trade and security between our nations."

"Today we double down on our commitment to streamlining the travel experience, bolstering security, and building on the strong partnership between the United States and Canada," said Robert Silvers, Under Secretary for Policy at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. "Expanding preclearance to Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport will benefit the traveling public from both our countries."

"Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport serves as an important gateway for business and recreational travel between the United States and Canada, a key enabler of the $2.5 billion USD ($3.4 billion CAD) per day in goods and services trade between our two countries," said David L. Cohen, U.S. Ambassador to Canada. "Today's announcement is a reaffirmation of our countries' commitment to ensuring safe and efficient travel and trade across our shared border, continuing our long history of working together and reinforcing the importance of our enduring friendship."

"Today's event exemplifies the strong relationship between Canada and the United States," said the Honourable Dominic LeBlanc, Minister of Public Safety, Democratic Institutions and Intergovernmental Affairs. "Through preclearance, Canada and the United States work hand in hand every day to intercept security threats early, while delivering large-scale economic benefits for Canadians and Americans through facilitated travel. Our government is proud to collaborate with our partners to support the continued expansion of Preclearance sites, here at Billy Bishop Airport and across the country."

"Bringing Preclearance to Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport not only strengthens the ties between the United States and Canada, but it enhances security by addressing potential threats before they reach our borders and significantly improves the travel experience for passengers," said Troy A. Miller, CBP Senior Official Performing the Duties of the Commissioner. "This initiative will create new opportunities for cross-border trade, tourism, and economic growth, while ensuring the safety and efficiency of our border operations."

Fast Facts – Preclearance at Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport

• The introduction of Preclearance at Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport could grow the airport's annual economic contribution from $2.1 billion to $5.3 billion.
• As a result of increased aviation activity, Preclearance could result in $215 million in total annual tax revenue, up from $150 million, based primarily on direct on-site activities.
• Preclearance at Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport could boost on-site jobs to 3,680, up from 2,080.
• By allowing U.S.-bound travellers to clear U.S. Customs, Immigration, and Agriculture inspection before takeoff, Preclearance will enhance passenger convenience.
• Preclearance will result in increased choice for passengers by opening up to ten more U.S. destinations from Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport.
• Preclearance at Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport was made possible in part by an investment of $30 million in capital funding on the part of Canada's Federal Government.

About Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport

Offering service to more than 20 cities in Canada and the U.S., with connection opportunities to more than 100 international destinations via our airlines' networks, Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport is an important international gateway that will deliver a U.S. Customs and Border Protection Preclearance facility in 2025. The airport is a key driver to Toronto's economy, generating more than $2.1 billion in total economic output and supporting 4,450 jobs, including 2,080 directly associated with the airport's operations. Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport has served its community for 85 years from its iconic location on the Toronto waterfront, where it facilitates healthcare for Ontarians by providing a base for medevac services connected to local hospitals. Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport is committed to achieving its vision of cleaner, greener and quieter operations, and is renowned for its unique travel experience, efficiency, and customer service, having won a host of passenger-driven and environmental achievement awards. Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport is owned and operated by PortsToronto.

About PortsToronto

For more than 100 years PortsToronto has worked with its partners at the federal, provincial and municipal levels to enhance the economic growth of the City of Toronto and the Greater Toronto Area. PortsToronto owns and operates Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport, which welcomed approximately 2.8 million passengers in 2019; the Outer Harbour Marina, one of Canada's largest freshwater marinas; and the marine Port of Toronto that includes businesses in a variety of sectors including marine shipping, cargo services, media production and passenger cruises. PortsToronto is committed to fostering strong, healthy and sustainable communities and has invested more than $28 million since 2009 in charitable initiatives and environmental programs that benefit communities along Toronto's waterfront and beyond. PortsToronto operates in accordance with the Canada Marine Act and is guided by a board with representation from all three levels of government.

About Nieuport Aviation

Nieuport Aviation is the owner and operator of the passenger terminal at Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport. Backed by Canadian and international pension funds and supported by significant international expertise in managing aviation operations, we are committed to world-class customer service for the millions of customers using the airport. In addition to managing the passenger terminal, Nieuport Aviation offers passengers a free bus shuttle service between the airport and downtown Toronto, helping to provide a seamless travel experience. For more information, please visit www.nieuport.com. Since acquiring the airport terminal, Nieuport has invested $60 million in upgrades, recently opening the Aspire Business Lounge for Canadian travellers. Nieuport is further investing in the development of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Preclearance facility, to be delivered in late 2025. For more information, please visit www.nieuport.com.

SOURCE Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport