PortsToronto, owner and operator of Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport, announced that commercial airline service to/from the downtown airport will resume September 8, 2021. Porter Airlines will start up again 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 offered 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 will play a significant role in the economic recovery of our city and province, and we’re excited to ramp up our operations and get back to the business of connecting travellers to the people, places, experiences and jobs they love.”
Prior to the pandemic, Billy Bishop Airport had approximately 2.8 million passengers per year, supported more than 4,700 jobs, and generated $470 million in gross domestic product (GDP). 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 is the moment our team members, passengers, and the communities we serve have been waiting for,” said Michael Deluce, president and CEO, Porter Airlines, in a press release. “The pandemic has progressed to the point that we can now begin restoring service across our network, focused around our main base at Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport. Being grounded for more than a year has been incredibly difficult for everyone involved. In true Porter fashion, our team members have displayed remarkable levels of commitment, engagement, and optimism over this uncertain period, despite the vast majority being unable to work.”
Approximately 500 team members will be recalled to active status as the first phase of flights are introduced. More staff will be added in subsequent months as flights and destinations return to the schedule.
