For those travelling from Toronto Billy Bishop City Airport, there is some good news, which could cut travel time as the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Preclearance has now opened.
Toronto Billy Bishop City Airport – Image, Economy Class and Beyond (Shot 2011)
With Preclearance now in operation, U.S.-bound passengers can complete Customs, Immigration and Agriculture inspections in Canada before takeoff, eliminating the need to clear CBP at their U.S. destination.
The move will benefit both Air Canada (which is starting transborder services from 29th March) and Porter Airlines (which has been running services out of Toronto-City for 15 years, covering 13 million passengers on transborder services).
With Preclearance becoming operational, passengers will clear customs and immigration in Toronto before departure, arriving at U.S. airports as domestic passengers. This eliminates additional time for customs processing upon arrival and facilitates faster connections for those with continuing itineraries.
Porter operates up to 16 daily flights to five U.S. destinations from Toronto-City to Boston, Chicago, New York/Newark and Washington, with Nashville and Chicago O’Hare in the works. Air Canada will launch operations to New York-LaGuardia (29th March), Chicago O’Hare (1st June), Washington Dulles (1st June), and Boston (1st July).
Timings
Given that Toronto-City Airport is a smaller airport, Porter recommends that passengers travelling to the U.S. arrive at Billy Bishop three hours before departure, subject to airport operating hours. Check-in and baggage drop-off counters now close 60 minutes before scheduled departure times for U.S. flights, allowing for necessary processing through screening before boarding.
In Quotes
RJ Steenstra, President and CEO, Toronto Port Authority, owner and operator of Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport, said:
“Today marks a defining milestone for Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport and for the passengers and markets we proudly serve.”
“For nearly 90 years, this airport has linked Toronto and the region to tourism, trade and business, earning recognition as one of North America’s best airports. With the opening of the U.S. Preclearance facility, we will further enhance convenience, strengthen security and create new opportunities for connection. Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport is more than a gateway for travellers; it is an engine of economic growth, driving jobs, investment and the connectivity that keeps communities and businesses thriving. The introduction of U.S. Preclearance further fuels this engine and entrenches the value of this airport to the region and Canada overall.”
Jennifer Quinn, CEO, Nieuport Aviation, said:
“The new U.S. Customs and Border Protection Preclearance facility at Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport is a transformational project that has been over a decade in the making,” said
“Preclearance may sound like a process upgrade, but it is far more than that—it’s an investment in the region’s future. By clearing U.S. Customs in Canada, we’re making travel to the U.S. more convenient, unlocking new routes, facilitating more connections to and from Toronto and growing the economy through visitor spend and job creation. This milestone reflects the power of partnership and the confidence we have in the incredible potential of Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport to connect people to opportunity and to catalyze growth.”
Michael Deluce, CEO, Porter Airlines, added:
“Porter has strongly supported Preclearance at Billy Bishop for over 15 years, recognizing the tremendous value it brings to travellers. This is an important development for our passengers and the airport,”
“Since launching U.S. flights from YTZ in 2008, Porter has been committed to providing elevated economy service between Toronto and key American cities. Preclearance represents the next chapter in that journey.”
“Billy Bishop has consistently facilitated U.S. travel each year for more passengers than other airports that already have Preclearance. We thank the Canadian and U.S. governments for enabling this important investment, as well as Toronto Port Authority and Nieuport Aviation for ensuring that all requirements were in place for the facility to open”
A Time-Saving Benefit
For passengers, US Pre-Clearance is a major benefit, cutting the queues and waiting on arrival in the USA. With everything going on at the moment, that is no bad thing at all, being able to clear any immigration and customs whilst still in Canada.
Whilst it might mean getting to the airport a little earlier, there will be better connectivity (as Toronto City Centre is but a ferry ride or a walk underground away), representing a good option for an arrival at a city centre airport (without the need for a train ride from Pearson Airport).
A rather useful option for the traveller who can use it to their advantage, in both directions.
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