Canada, U.S. unveil plans to expand pre-clearance to Billy Bishop

Canada and the U.S. have announced plans to expand United States Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Preclearance to Billy Bishop Airport. The move will usher in a new era of connectivity and convenience from downtown Toronto.

Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport is the 5th-busiest Canadian airport serving the United States, and the planned expansion of Preclearance to the airport will enhance passenger convenience by allowing U.S.-bound travellers to clear U.S. Customs, Immigration, and Agriculture inspection before takeoff. Travellers then bypass CBP inspections upon U.S. arrival and proceed directly to their connecting flight or destination.

More routes to the U.S.

Along with significant enhancements to passenger experience, preclearance will open up more routes to the United States from Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport, potentially growing the airport’s annual economic contribution to $5.3 billion, boosting employment on both sides of the border, and strengthening bilateral trade and tourism between the United States and Canada.

Preclearance also allows for a shared approach to security. The process allows both countries to manage the border in a way that addresses shared security concerns, including managing threats early.

For the past year, DHS and CBP, in coordination with Transport Canada and Public Safety Canada, have been monitoring plans for the preparation of future preclearance facilities at Billy Bishop Airport. DHS feels confident in the steps being taken and is now incorporating Billy Bishop in staffing and resource allocation planning and decisions. While the start of operations must depend on the completion of each project milestone, progress is moving in the right direction.

RJ Steenstra, President and CEO, PortsToronto, said that: “The ability to clear U.S. Customs on home soil will greatly enhance the passenger experience, and offer tremendous benefit to the City of Toronto and surrounding region as it will open new markets and amplify the benefits associated with the airport’s contribution to facilitating trade and tourism, creating jobs, supporting healthcare and driving innovation.”

Steenstra continued: “We would like to recognize the Federal Government for its commitment to the long-term future of Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport, and for its investment of $30 million in capital funding to bring U.S. Preclearance to Toronto’s downtown airport. We look forward to continued collaboration with all levels of government on both sides of the border to ensure Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport remains a vital piece of transportation infrastructure and an economic driver for Toronto and the surrounding region for many years to come.”

Neil Pakey, President and CEO, Nieuport Aviation, said the work of so many partners “to bring U.S. Preclearance to the airport positions YTZ to better deliver on the needs of our travellers. The increased convenience and choice that Preclearance facilitates must be underpinned by a long-term future for the airport, one that will allow us to continue to be a strong economic driver for Toronto, Ontario and Canada for decades to come.”

Anita Anand, President of the Treasury Board and Minister of Transport, made it clear that: “The Government of Canada is committed to enhancing travel convenience and security for Canadians. That’s why we invested $30 million in June 2023 to build a new U.S. preclearance facility at Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport.”

And Minister Anand added: “This initiative will not only improve the passenger experience but also foster economic growth, boost tourism and enhance trade and security between our nations.”

Robert Silvers, Under Secretary for Policy at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, observed that: “Today we double down on our commitment to streamlining the travel experience, bolstering security, and building on the strong partnership between the United States and Canada.”

He continued: “Expanding preclearance to Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport will benefit the traveling public from both our countries.”

Fast Facts — Preclearance at Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport

• The introduction of Preclearance at Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport could grow the airport’s annual economic contribution from $2.1 billion toÊ$5.3 billion.
• As a result of increased aviation activity, Preclearance could result in $215 million in total annual tax revenue, up from $150 million, based primarily on direct on-site activities.
• Preclearance at Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport could boost on-site jobs to 3,680, up from 2,080.
• By allowing U.S.-bound travellers to clear U.S. Customs, Immigration, and Agriculture inspection before takeoff, Preclearance will enhance passenger convenience.
• Preclearance will result in increased choice for passengers by opening up to 10 more U.S. destinations from Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport.
• Preclearance at Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport was made possible in part by an investment of $30 million in capital funding on the part of the Canadian government.

Caption for Photo

Officials from the Government of Canada, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport (YTZ) gathered this morning near the future site of the airport’s U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Preclearance facility, made possible in part by an investment of $30 million by the Government of Canada, to reaffirm their commitment to bring Preclearance to Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport. Preclearance offers enhanced security to the border-crossing process while boosting the economies of both countries through facilitated travel between Canada and the United States.