Island airport will call back staff and ramp-up operations to prepare for a return to commercial operations
TORONTO, July 5, 2021 /CNW/ - PortsToronto, owner and operator of Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport, is pleased to confirm that commercial airline service to/from the downtown airport will resume September 8, 2021, with the announced restart of Porter Airlines on that day. Porter Airlines will phase in its scheduled service to/from Toronto, offering flights to/from Montreal, Ottawa and Thunder Bay on September 8, with eight more destinations being brought online the week of September 13. Air Canada is expected to restart its Montreal service in September as well.
"PortsToronto is pleased to confirm that Billy Bishop Airport will resume commercial airline operations on September 8, 2021, and has begun the process of recalling staff, preparing the airport, and counting down the days until we can welcome back travellers to our successful and award-winning airport," said Geoffrey Wilson, Chief Executive Officer, PortsToronto. "Billy Bishop Airport is an asset to the city of Toronto and surrounding region given its impact on supporting the economy, facilitating trade and tourism, and providing thousands of jobs. Billy Bishop Airport will play a significant role in the economic recovery of our city and province, and we are excited to ramp up our operations and get back to the business of connecting travellers to the people, places, experiences and jobs they love."
Commercial aircraft service was temporarily suspended at Billy Bishop Airport in March 2020, as a result of the impacts of the COVID-19 global pandemic and associated travel restrictions. The airport remained open during the pandemic to ensure continued operations for Ornge medevac service, and to serve regional carriers such as FlyGTA and Cameron Air, general aviation pilots, and tour operators such as Helitours.
Prior to the pandemic, Billy Bishop Airport welcomed approximately 2.8 million passengers per year, supported more than 4,700 jobs, and generated $470 million in GDP. The airport looks forward to returning to these levels of service and positive impact. Air travel has already begun to rebound in many markets around the world, with the U.S. reporting a return to 65 per cent of pre-pandemic levels in May 2021, and expectations for further growth as summer approaches.
Billy Bishop Airport launched its Safe Travels Program in recent months to prepare the airport and its travellers for new and updated public health protocols associated with travel. This program is complemented by programs in place with each of its carriers – Porter Airlines' Healthy Flights program and Air Canada's CleanCare+ program.
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; 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.
SOURCE Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport
For further information: Media Contact: Deborah Wilson, Vice President, Communications & Public Affairs, PortsToronto, E-mail: [email protected]
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