BBTCA expansion plans approved

PortsToronto has approved plans submitted by Nieuport Aviation Infrastructure Partners, owner and operator of the Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport’s passenger terminal, to undertake upgrades and enhancements to the terminal, in part to accommodate an anticipated U.S. Customs and Border Protection preclearance facility.

The plans, approved after several months of consultation, include increasing the terminal’s footprint to accommodate the airport’s growth since 2010, when the terminal was built, and to further enhance the passenger experience, PortsToronto said.

Specific improvements include reconfiguring offices and administrative areas to accommodate passenger processing needs in anticipation of a U.S. Customs and Border Protection preclearance facility at the airport, as previously announced by Prime Minister Trudeau and President Obama in March 2016. The enhancement project will also add more space in both passenger lounges, thereby enabling more seating and additional amenities such as retail, food and beverage services.

Overall, the changes will add approximately 2,500 square metres to the terminal, with the majority of the increase being in the passenger lounges. Nieuport will also add an 11th gate to increase the terminal’s operational flexibility and efficiencies during peak travel periods and weather events.

PortsToronto has worked closely with Nieuport to review plans for construction to confirm that the work is undertaken in a phased manner to ensure that the terminal upgrade will be as seamless as possible for travellers and airport partners and will not disrupt the surrounding community.

The project will get underway later this month and is expected to be completed in 2018. Regular updates will be provided to travellers, the community and stakeholders throughout the duration of the project via social media, the PortsToronto website and the Billy app, though minimal impact is expected in terms of the passenger experience.

Preliminary plans and renderings can be referenced here.