Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport Will ‘Open Its Doors’ This Saturday for Annual Doors Open Toronto

Toronto (May 25, 2016) – On Saturday, May 28, 2016, media are invited to tour Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport (Billy Bishop Airport) as part of Doors Open Toronto 2016.
 
Media and other visitors to Billy Bishop Airport will have the unique opportunity to explore the airport’s state-of-the-art facilities to learn more about its rich 75+-year history of providing travellers with a convenient, customer-oriented international gateway to the world.
 
WHAT: Billy Bishop Airport welcomes the public to tour the airport as part of the 17th annual Doors Open Toronto, presented by Great Gulf. This marks the first year that Billy Bishop Airport will participate in this city-wide event. Airport staff and partners will be onsite to answer questions and visitors will have access to:
 
  • Billy Bishop Airport’s award-winning, underwater pedestrian tunnel as well as the mainland pavilion and island atrium;
  • The airport’s fire hall and maintenance facility, which will include the opportunity for kids of all ages to explore the airport’s state-of-the-art safety vehicles;
  • A staging area to view the airport’s runway operations and aircraft;
  • Flash, a falcon, who is part of the airport’s wildlife management program;
  • Ornge aircraft and facilities that provides Medevac emergency services;
  • A historic photography exhibit in the island atrium depicting images of the airport; and,
  • Airport partners and tenants, such as Porter Airlines, Nieuport Aviation, who will host displays, showcasing the full range of services that the airport offers.
 
The Billy Bishop Airport self-guided tour map can be found here.
                       
WHO: Gene Cabral, Executive Vice President of Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport and PortsToronto
 
WHEN: Saturday, May 28, 2016 from 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Note: Billy Bishop Airport is only participating in Doors Open Toronto on Saturday
 
WHERE: Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport, 2 Eireann Quay, Toronto, ON
Information on getting to Billy Bishop Airport and parking can be found here.
 
PHOTO OP:   Media are invited to tour Billy Bishop Airport as part of Doors Open Toronto, conduct interviews and take photos and/or video.
 
IMPORTANT: Access to behind-the-scenes areas will only be granted until 5:00 p.m. Last entry will be granted at 4:00 p.m.
 
About Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport
With flights to more than 20 destinations in Canada and the United States and connections to 80 locations around the world, Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport provides travellers coming into and out of Canada's largest city with a convenient travel option located less than three kilometres from Toronto’s downtown core. In 2015, the airport served 2.5 million passengers, making it the ninth-busiest airport in Canada and the sixth-busiest Canadian airport serving the United States. Billy Bishop Airport was recently named one of the best airports in North America by both Airport Council International and Skytrax. 
 
About PortsToronto (http://www.portstoronto.com)
For more than 100 years PortsToronto, (formerly the Toronto Port Authority), 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 welcomes more than two million passengers each year; the Outer Harbour Marina, one of Canada's largest freshwater marinas; and, Terminals 51 and 52, which provide 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 $8 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.
 
About Doors Open Toronto
Since its inception in 2000, Doors Open Toronto has attracted more than two million visits to nearly 700 unique locations across the city. It is Canada's largest Doors Open event and one of the three largest Doors Open events in the world. Doors Open Toronto is dedicated to celebrating built heritage, architecture and design. It is presented by Great Gulf and produced by the City of Toronto in partnership with the broader community. Look for information and updates at http://www.toronto.ca/doorsopen, Facebook at facebook.com/doorsopenTO, Twitter at @Doors_OpenTO and Instagram at @doors_opento. Event hashtag is: #DOT16.
 
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Media Contacts:
PortsToronto
Sarah Sutton
Senior Manager, Communications and Media Relations
Tel: (416) 863-2054
E-mail: ssutton@portstoronto.com