As part of its ongoing efforts to enhance connectivity, Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport is excited to announce the selection of Pomerleau as the construction management firm and Alstef Canada as the baggage handling system provider for the upcoming facilities work. This project is associated with the introduction of United States Customs and Border Protection (US CBP) Preclearance, set to commence in late 2025. Executives from the airport, Pomerleau, and Alstef Canada were present at a media event at Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport earlier today to make this announcement.

“We are pleased to welcome Pomerleau and Alstef Canada to the implementation team, and recognize this important milestone in bringing US Preclearance to Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport in late 2025. As the 5th-busiest Canadian airport serving the US, Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport is ideally positioned to offer US Preclearance and anticipates significant enhancements to passenger experience, destination offering, and economic impact as a result of the introduction of this service,” said RJ Steenstra, President and CEO, PortsToronto, owner and operator of Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport. “I would like to once again thank the Federal Government for its commitment to the long-term future of Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport, and its investment of $30 million in capital funding to make US Preclearance a reality. We look forward to continued collaboration with all levels of government to ensure Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport remains a vital piece of transportation infrastructure and an economic driver for Toronto and the surrounding region well into the future.”

“The benefits of Preclearance have been demonstrated at 15 airports around the world, and recent research by York Aviation indicates that Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport has the potential to deliver $5.3 billion in economic output through the increased aviation activity that Preclearance will bring about,” said Neil Pakey, President and CEO, Nieuport Aviation, owner and operator of the passenger terminal at Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport. “Set to open ahead of FIFA 2026, Preclearance fulfils our promise of continually enhancing the passenger experience, and will allow Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport to be the front door to Toronto for even more visitors in the years to come.”

“Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport is a critical hub for those traveling for business or pleasure throughout North America,” said Sean Smithson, Toronto Regional Vice President at Pomerleau. “Pomerleau is pleased to be delivering this project with our partner Alstef Canada, who will implement the baggage handling system, with mobilization plans well underway. Construction will start mid-July and we look forward to this best-in-class facility going live by fall 2025.”

“We are thrilled to be continuing our partnership with Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport on this important project,” said Steven Tanguy, Managing Director at Alstef Canada. “Our expertise in completing baggage handling upgrades in operational airports, as demonstrated by the successful completion of 50+ baggage handling projects across Canada, will help ensure seamless integration of US CBP Preclearance processing.”

The implementation of US CBP Preclearance will not only provide increased efficiency and more options for US-bound passengers but also stimulate visitor spending through heightened tourism and business activities. It is expected to boost employment and strengthen the ties between the United States and Canada. Below are supplementary quotations from stakeholders across Toronto and beyond, highlighting the transformative impact that Preclearance will have on the city and the region.

Supplementary quotations:
“Toronto’s downtown airport is an outstanding feature of the value proposition we offer to businesses, visitors, and travellers alike. Having Preclearance to the United States just adds to the convenience and efficiency offered to North American companies looking to access the business, financial, and tech capital of Canada. Congratulations to our colleagues at PortsToronto and Nieuport Aviation for all you do to sell our city to the world.”

• Stephen Lund, President & CEO, Toronto Global

“Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport connects our city to key North American markets, international investment, and tourism, currently generating $2.1 billion in GDP. It is a vital part of this city’s transportation infrastructure, one that will only grow in importance as we welcome FIFA, the WNBA and other new opportunities in the coming years. Today’s news demonstrates exciting progress in delivering this much-needed Preclearance facility—another step forward to support the airport’s continued success and downtown’s ongoing economic recovery.”

• Giles Gherson, President & CEO, Toronto Region Board of Trade

“Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport is a competitive advantage for Ontario—a critical link between our largest city and communities across Ontario as well as North American business destinations. That’s why the Ontario Chamber of Commerce welcomes today’s announcement to boost the airport’s capacity and capabilities for US preclearance. We have three OCC members to congratulate today: Nieuport Aviation and PortsToronto for their leadership, and Pomerleau for its selection as the construction management firm for this project.”

• Daniel Tisch, President and CEO, Ontario Chamber of Commerce

“As a global destination for major meetings, business, and leisure travelers, Toronto’s air access is a vital competitive advantage. Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport provides strategic connectivity from high-volume U.S. markets, and Preclearance is an important step that will help attract more visitors and the powerful economic impact their visits bring to our community.”

• Andrew Weir, President and CEO, Destination Toronto

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