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The New Year Brings A New Name And Maybe New Flights To Toronto City Airport

Where: Toronto, ON, Canada
January 7, 2010 at 8:49 AM | by | Comments (2)

We're barely a couple weeks in and already 2010 looks like a slow year for the travel industry, and airports around the globe are more likely to see reduced service rather than an increase in new routes. However, the Toronto City Centre Airport has been a hit with travelers on Porter Airlines lately, and the Toronto Port Authority is thinking about expanding things a bit.

The airport’s first big change is a new name. As of November it became known as the Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport in honor of the Canadian flying ace from the First World War. The old name will still be around for the next month or so, but just remember the name change the next time you and your friends are playing airport Trivial Pursuit.

Right now Porter Airlines is the only commercial airline at the facility, and through the end of last year they were averaging around 110 flights per day. They are looking to expand to around 120 this year, and the Toronto Port Authority wants to get other airlines in the mix to increase things to as much as 200 daily flights. Officials have had a few calls from other airlines—including Air Canada—and they’re considering welcoming them.

All this sounds good, but some residents of the city aren’t too thrilled. They don’t want the pollution and noise from an increase in flights. There was an agreement back in the 1980s between several parties including the city of Toronto and the Canadian government regarding a cap on the number of flights from the airport; however, any expansion looks to stay within established daily flight limits. We feel for the local residents, but understand that business is business.

Hopefully even with a possible influx of new carriers, Porter Airlines will continue to do their thing without being forced to reduce their offerings, like the free airport lounge and complimentary wine in the air.

Related Stories:
· Toronto Island Airport Could Expand In 2010 [CBC]
· Porter Airlines Preparing To Battle It Out With Air Canada Jazz [Jaunted]
· Airline News coverage [Jaunted]

[Photo: beachdigital]

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Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport growth

Hi there I just wanted to correct one point in your blog post. Any growth in commercial flights at the BBTCA will comply with the 1983 Tripartite Agreement between the City of Toronto and the TPA. The independent study conducted for the TPA regarding the total number of slots available to grant in 2010 took this Agreement into account. That's why there is a hard cap on the total number of commercial flights that can use the BBTCA. This initial slot announcement merely speaks to utilizing the airport along the lines that have already been approved by all parties...not increasing beyond those pre-determined noise figures. Mark McQueen Chairman Toronto Port Authority
Mark McQueen on January 7, 2010 at 9:33 AM #Permalink

Thanks For The Comment

@Mark McQueen - We've made an update to clarify things above after reading the TPA press release from Oct-2009.

Care to share any of the airlines that are looking to use Billy Bishop in 2010?

kjb on January 7, 2010 at 10:34 AM #Permalink
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