Toronto (November 18, 2019) – PortsToronto, owner and operator of Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport, today released its 2018 Master Plan. The primary purpose of an airport Master Plan is to establish a development concept for the airport that establishes priorities and options for the airport’s operation and development over an extended period of time, while at the same time allowing the airport to avail itself of new opportunities to serve the needs of the community and operators.
 
The planning process for the Billy Bishop Airport Master Plan, which kicked off in late 2017, involved comprehensive public consultation and stakeholder engagement. More than 90 meetings were held with neighbourhood associations, agencies including First Nations leaders, elected officials, local businesses, airport stakeholders and community groups. Three public meetings were also held over the last 18 months to present updates on key areas of interest and to kick-off a 60-day public comment period when the draft could be reviewed and comments submitted. These comments were then reflected in the final draft which is being released today.
 
“A major component of the Master Plan was meeting with members of the community, government officials, agencies including the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation, and airport stakeholders to hear what they had to say about the airport – both opportunities and challenges. The Master Plan incorporates much of what we heard and sets priorities to continue to build on many of the improvements we have made in the last five years, as well as set a framework for continued improvement and mitigation efforts related to concerns with noise, traffic and emissions,” said Gene Cabral, Executive Vice President of Billy Bishop Airport and PortsToronto. “Ultimately, this plan is about the implementation of policies and investment in infrastructure to ensure that any proposed growth at the airport is in balance with the community while ensuring that the airport continues to make an important economic contribution to the region by making connections for business and leisure travellers alike.”
 
Although not a regulatory document, master plans are customary for most airports and are usually updated every five years. The 2018 Master Plan for Billy Bishop Airport is an update of the 2012 Master Plan and focuses on areas such as infrastructure requirements, activity forecasting, environmental initiatives and future planning. The final plan also details priorities for Billy Bishop Airport as well as outlining key recommendations to support the airport’s commitment to managed growth that balances airport operations with community interests.
 
The 2018 Billy Bishop Airport Master Plan is available on the PortsToronto website and also on the project website: www.BillyBishopAirportMasterPlan2018.com. The project website also includes additional information such as a FAQ section that details questions and answers presented at the public meetings as well as presentations and resource material.
 
About Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport (https://www.billybishopairport.com)
Offering service to more than 20 cities in Canada and the U.S., with connection opportunities to more than 80 international destinations via our airlines’ networks, Billy Bishop Airport is an important international gateway and a key driver to Toronto’s economy, generating more than $470 million in Gross Domestic Product (GDP) each year and supporting 4,740 jobs, including 2,080 directly associated with the airport operations. Billy Bishop Airport is renowned for its unique travel experience, efficiency and customer service and has won a series of passenger-driven awards, including being named one of the top airports in North America in both the Airports Council International’s (ACI) Airport Service Quality Awards and Skytrax World Airport Awards. Billy Bishop Airport was also ranked as the fourth Best International Airport by Condé Nast Traveler in 2017.
 
About PortsToronto (https://www.portstoronto.com)
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 2.8 million passengers in 2018; the Outer Harbour Marina, one of Canada's largest freshwater marinas; and, Marine Terminal 52, which provides transportation, distribution, storage and container services to businesses at the Port of Toronto. PortsToronto is committed to fostering strong, healthy and sustainable communities and has invested more than $11 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 nine-member board with representation from all three levels of government.