PortsToronto Moves Forward with Runway End Safety Areas Project at Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport

INFORMATION RELEASE

Toronto, December 10, 2025 – PortsToronto, owner and operator of Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport, confirmed today that it will move forward with its Runway End Safety Area (RESA) project, adopting the minimal landmass expansion alternative identified in the RESA alternatives study and environmental assessment prepared by Avia NG and AECOM and endorsed by Toronto City Council in the October 2024 item EX17.5 - Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport - Runway End Safety Areas.

The RESA project fulfills Transport Canada’s national directive to enhance runway safety and align Canadian commercial airports with current domestic and international aviation standards as outlined in Transport Canada’s Regulations Amending the Canadian Aviation Regulations (Parts I, III and VI — RESA): SOR/2021-269.

PortsToronto undertook a voluntary Environmental Assessment and worked with AECOM to evaluate the potential impacts of the proposed project on the natural and built environments, marine navigation, transportation, air and water quality, cultural heritage and land use. The design aircraft for the study was the DeHavilland Q400, already used by the airline operators at Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport, as the project does not modify existing operations at the airport. It also incorporated community input gathered through four public consultation meetings. The assessment reviewed three scenarios for implementation, and the alternative with the longest profile (Option 3) was identified as having optimal operational mitigations, safety and community benefits. The environmental assessment has been finalized and published on PortsToronto’s “Safe, Clean, Quiet” website.

However, on October 9, 2024, Toronto City Council passed motions to extend the airport lease by 12 years (to 2045) and endorsed the alternative that provided for the minimum landmass expansion (Option 1). As such, PortsToronto began moving forward on the design endorsed by council, starting with initiating a formal amendment to the Tripartite Agreement governing the airport, which was completed on January 28, 2025.

PortsToronto has entered into a design-build contract with EllisDon Civil Ltd. to deliver the detailed design and construction of the RESAs, as well as a construction management plan to minimize community impacts including overnight construction. A traffic management plan will also be developed to coordinate construction traffic activities.

PortsToronto will continue working closely with the City of Toronto and Transport Canada to ensure full compliance with the RESA directive, enhancing the safety of aircraft, passengers, employees and crew at Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport.

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Media contact:

Claire Pfeiffer
Senior Manager, Communications
PortsToronto
cpfeiffer@portstoronto.com
437-341-9420

About PortsToronto

PortsToronto (the Toronto Port Authority) owns and operates Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport, which welcomes more than two million passengers and generates approximately $2 billion in economic impact per year; the Outer Harbour Marina, one of Canada’s largest freshwater marinas; and the marine Port of Toronto, which facilitates businesses such as marine shipping, cargo services and passenger cruises to generate approximately $460 million in economic activity annually. Since 1911, and in its role as a city builder, PortsToronto has worked with partners and every level of government to enhance Toronto’s transportation infrastructure and economic growth. PortsToronto is committed to fostering strong, healthy and sustainable communities, and has invested more than $30 million in recent years to fund charitable initiatives and environmental programs that benefit communities along Toronto's waterfront and beyond. PortsToronto is a federal agency and operates in accordance with the Canada Marine Act. It is guided by a Board of Directors that includes representation from all three levels of government.

About Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport

Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport is an award-winning gateway to Canada’s largest city, offering unmatched convenience just minutes from downtown Toronto. Serving passengers since 1939, the airport provides service to more than 20 cities across Canada and the U.S., with connections to more than 100 global destinations through its airline partners, and a U.S. Customs and Border Protection Preclearance facility opening soon.

Renowned for its accessibility, stunning skyline views and 98% passenger satisfaction rating, Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport supports critical regional services, including medical travel and medevac operations through Ornge. It is also a key economic driver, supporting more than 4,000 jobs (2,000 directly associated with its operations) and generating approximately $2 billion annually for the regional economy.

Committed to sustainability, the airport is a three-time recipient of the Airports Council International–North America’s Environmental Achievement Award and is certified under Level 1 Airport Carbon Accreditation.

Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport is owned and operated by PortsToronto. Nieuport Aviation is the terminal partner and operates the airport’s complimentary shuttle service to and from downtown Toronto.