US Customs Preclearance Facility to Open at Toronto’s Billy Bishop City Airport in 2025
Toronto’s Billy Bishop City Airport (YTZ) will soon offer a new convenience for travelers flying to the United States. The airport announced on June 30, 2023, that it will introduce a US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) preclearance facility by 2025, with the support of the federal government.
The preclearance facility will allow passengers to clear US customs in Toronto, rather than upon arrival at their destination. This will save time and hassle for travelers, as they will be able to exit US airports without delay and access more connection options. The facility will also enhance security and trade between Canada and the US, as well as open up new markets for the airport.
Billy Bishop City Airport is a popular choice for travelers who want to fly from downtown Toronto to regional and hub markets in the US. The airport serves more than 450,000 US passengers per year and offers flights to destinations such as New York, Chicago, Boston and Washington. The airport is currently the ninth busiest in Canada and the fifth busiest serving US markets.
The preclearance facility will be the ninth of its kind in Canada, joining other airports such as Toronto Pearson International Airport, Vancouver International Airport and Montreal-Trudeau International Airport. The facility will feature next-generation technology, such as facial recognition, to make the process more efficient and user-friendly.
The federal Minister of Transport, Omar Alghabra, announced that the government will provide up to $30 million for the planning, design and construction of the preclearance facility at Billy Bishop City Airport. The funding will assist PortsToronto, the owner and operator of the airport, and its partners in delivering the facility within the planned timeframe. The funding will not apply to the operational costs of the facility.
The construction of the preclearance facility is expected to take 18 to 24 months and be operational in 2025. The airport hopes that the facility will attract more travellers and airlines to its services and boost its competitiveness in the industry.
Billy Bishop City Airport is one of the few airports in the world that offers both convenience and connectivity to its passengers. With the addition of the US Customs preclearance facility, the airport will become even more attractive for travellers who want to fly from Toronto to the US with ease and efficiency.