One of the best travel experiences gets even better with a lower AIF charged to passengers, coupled with new lounges, services and amenities coming soon to Billy Bishop Airport
TORONTO, March 29, 2018 /CNW/ - As of this Sunday PortsToronto, owner and operator of Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport (Billy Bishop Airport), will reduce the Airport Improvement Fee (AIF) to $15, down from $20. Airport Improvement Fees are customary amounts that are charged to departing passengers of an airport to pay for infrastructure and capital improvements to the airport. At $15 per departing passenger, the AIF at Billy Bishop Airport will now be among the lowest in Canada and represents the airport's commitment to delivering a superior customer service experience that includes cost efficiency.
"Billy Bishop Airport has grown into a world-class airport and a key gateway to and from Toronto," said Geoffrey Wilson, Chief Executive Officer, PortsToronto. "The airport and its passengers have benefitted from a consistent and strong stream of AIF funds that have been reinvested into infrastructure and capital projects such as the pedestrian tunnel and the airfield modernization, a three-year project that will successfully conclude this summer. With these big projects complete, and with passenger numbers continuing strong, PortsToronto is in a position to reduce the fees charged to the consumer and ensure a travel experience that is not only efficient, convenient and service oriented, but also cost effective."
The reduced AIF is consistent with recommendations stemming from the 2016 Canada Transportation Act Review which cited the need for reduced travel costs, increased connectivity and improved service for Canadian travellers as an important means of keeping the aviation sector healthy and competitive.
The reduction in AIF comes as the airport is gearing up to introduce significant enhancements at the airport including an upgraded terminal, which is being undertaken by Nieuport Aviation Infrastructure Partners, that will further enhance the passenger experience. The upgrades to the terminal will include new and larger lounge facilities, increased retail, food and beverage services, as well as an 11th gate to further enhance the efficiency offered to passengers who are flying to the more than 20 Canadian and U.S. destinations serviced by Billy Bishop Airport. The upgraded terminal will also be fitted with the framework for a preclearance facility in anticipation of successful negotiations to bring U.S. Customs Border Protection staff and facilities to Billy Bishop Airport. The airport has recently 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) 2017 Airport Service Quality Awards and Skytrax 2017 World Airport Awards, and was ranked sixth Best International Airport by Condé Nast Traveler in 2017.
About Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport (https://www.portstoronto.com/airport.aspx)
Billy Bishop Airport is Canada's ninth-busiest airport and welcomed 2.8 million business and leisure travellers in 2017. The airport is also Canada's sixth-busiest airport with passenger service into the United States. 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, accounting for more than $2.1 billion in economic output each year and supporting 6,500 jobs, including 1,960 directly associated with the airport operations.
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 more than 2.8 million passengers in 2017; 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 $9 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.
SOURCE PortsToronto
Media Contact: Jen Brailsford, Communications Officer, PortsToronto, Tel: (416) 863-2016, Cell: (647) 298-0585, E-mail: [email protected]
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