Traveling from the United States to Toronto will become even easier.
On 30 June 2023, PortsToronto, the owner and operator of Toronto’s Billy Bishop City Airport (YTZ), announced that the United States Customs and Border Protection (CBP) would open a new preclearance facility at the airport. The facility, which will enable far smoother travel between the two closely linked countries, has been cleared to receive important funding and will be operational in 2025.
Preclearance will bring about a variety of opportunities for Toronto’s downtown airport. Not only will travelers be able to arrive in the United States and directly exit the airport, but new connections from YTZ will become possible thanks to through-checked luggage.
A Canadian perspective
In the eyes of Canada, the new preclearance facility is a victory for relations with the United States from an economic, social, and diplomatic perspective. Not only will flying to the city become easier than ever, business travel to Toronto, which plays a key role in Canadian economic development, will become more attractive.
While Toronto Pearson (YYZ), the main international airport for the city, already has a preclearance facility, Billy Bishop is closer to the city center and important for business traffic. The chance to avoid lengthy queues in the US and connect baggage to domestic destinations will open several opportunities for airlines and passengers alike.
Opening an office in Toronto for an American corporation certainly becomes more appealing with a Billy Bishop preclearance facility. Not surprisingly, the Canadian government is supporting the project, making significant federal funds available for the construction process.
Omar Alghabra, the Canadian Federal Minister of Transport, shared the following words regarding the project:
“The investment in the new United States preclearance facility for the Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport will provide travellers in the Greater Toronto area more options when flying to the United States and will support the reduction of airport congestion. Investing in this facility is great news for the airport and for Canadians!”
Clearly, both Toronto and Canada as a whole are set to reap the immense benefits of this new facility’s opening, and along with it stronger ties to the nation’s southern neighbor.
Billy Bishop in 2023
This announcement comes on the heels of multiple other moves made by the airport to modernize YTZ and make Toronto more and more attractive to business and leisure travelers alike.
In recent years, the Canadian flag carrier has made a strong push for expansion at the downtown airport, including multiple new routes launched in 2021.
Last month, Air Canada recently opened its newest premium lounge, the luxury café located at Billy Bishop. This dining facility made the airport more attractive to those traveling on business due to its work-friendly environment.
Thus, in response to the announcement of the new preclearance facility, it is not surprising that RJ Steenstra, CEO of PortsToronto, had the following words to share regarding the announcement:
“Preclearance will also provide access to more US markets which will boost connectivity and bilateral trade and tourism between Toronto and the eastern US. This will have a tremendous economic impact on the city in terms of GDP, generating jobs, and attracting talent and investment. We are incredibly pleased and proud to confirm preclearance at the airport, and look forward to working with our partners to commence work immediately to have the facility open in 2025.”
Billy Bishop continues to establish itself as a modern, business-friendly airport to support an equally cosmopolitan and growing Canadian city.
Source SimpleFlying.com
