Toronto's Billy Bishop Airport Adds US Preclearance Facility

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

After over a decade of planning, Toronto's Billy Bishop City Airport (YTZ) has opened a new US Preclearance facility, allowing US-bound passengers to clear customs and immigration before their flight. The facility, built at a cost of $30 million CAD, is expected to increase the airport's annual economic contribution from $2.1 billion CAD to $5.3 billion CAD and annual tax revenue from $150 million CAD to $215 million CAD.

Why it matters

The new Preclearance facility is seen as a major competitive advantage for Billy Bishop Airport, which is located closer to downtown Toronto than the city's main international airport. It will streamline the travel experience for US-bound passengers and enhance border security through earlier threat detection. The facility is also expected to boost trade and tourism ties between Canada and the US.

The details

The Preclearance facility was built through a partnership between the Canadian government and US Customs and Border Protection (CBP). Canada covered the construction and support costs, while the US provided the CBP officers. The project officially began in 2023 after over a decade of planning. With the new facility, both Air Canada and Porter Airlines plan to expand their US route networks from Billy Bishop Airport.

• The Preclearance facility officially opened on March 10, 2026.
• Planning for the facility began over 10 years ago.

What’s next

With the new Preclearance facility, both Air Canada and Porter Airlines are expected to expand their US route networks from Billy Bishop Airport in the coming years.