Toronto (August 9, 2021) — Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport (YTZ), owned and operated by PortsToronto, is proud to announce it has achieved accreditation under the Airports Council International (ACI) Airport Health Accreditation program (AHA). This follows the launch of the airport’s Safe Travels Program in recent months, a comprehensive initiative developed in response to the COVID-19 pandemic that includes operational measures and safety protocols implemented to ensure a safe and healthy environment for passengers, staff and partners at Billy Bishop Airport. The airport will welcome back passengers and restart commercial service on September 8, 2021.
 
ACI’s Airport Health Accreditation program assists airports by assessing new health measures and procedures introduced as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic in accordance with ICAO Council Aviation Recovery Task Force recommendations. Areas of assessment for accreditation include cleaning and disinfection, physical distancing (where feasible and practical), staff protection, physical layout, passenger communications and passenger facilities.
 
Billy Bishop Airport launched its Safe Travels Program in August 2020 to ensure that all necessary precautions and public health protocols associated with air travel were in place. This program is complemented by programs in place with each of its carriers – Porter Airlines’ Healthy Flights program and Air Canada’s CleanCare+ program, and is inclusive of all airport partners including Nieuport Aviation (terminal owners/operators); Stolport (parking) as well as government agencies including CATSA (screening and security) and CBSA (border protection).
 
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“Achieving this global health accreditation from ACI is a point of pride and further recognition of our commitment to the health and safety of passengers, staff and partners alike as we look toward to the commercial restart of Billy Bishop Airport and the recovery of the aviation sector,” said Gene Cabral, Executive Vice President of PortsToronto and Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport. “This certification confirms that the Safe Travels Program, addresses the needs and requirements on travel in today’s world and will ensure a safe and healthy travel experience when commercial airline service resumes and we welcome back passengers on September 8.” 
 
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While Billy Bishop Airport will continue to incorporate new procedures and innovations to ensure the airport can offer a safe and healthy travel environment, the measures currently in place include:

• Requiring that masks be worn by all airport travellers and staff at the airport;
• Requesting that only travellers with boarding passes and airport staff enter YTZ, with exceptions made for those requiring special assistance;
• Designated ambassadors at key locations throughout the airport to facilitate passenger flow, communicate occupancy limits, and answer questions;
• Occupancy limits implemented in close-proximity spaces such as elevators;
• Implementing clear directional signage throughout the traveller journey to provide information and guidance;
• Installation of Plexiglas and traffic-flow protocols at face-to-face interaction points;
• Touchless processing of passenger belongings and documentation to the greatest degree possible;
• All passenger touch points including counters and screening machines sanitized often;
• Enhanced cleaning procedures across all high-touch areas and in public spaces, including Foggers and Electrostatic Sprayers equipped with an all-natural, environmentally safe product that eliminates 99.99% of viruses; and,
• Providing additional hand sanitization stations throughout the airport.

Click here to view a video outlining the passenger experience from curb to gate.
 
Click here to learn more about the Safe Travels Program.
 
Flying through YTZ soon? Click here to chart your path to safe travels.
 
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 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.
 
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, 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 $12 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.
   
Media Contact:
Jessica Pellerin
Media Relations and Public Affairs Specialist
PortsToronto
Cell: (647) 298-0585
E-mail: jpellerin@portstoronto.com