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