Toronto travelers flying to the United States now have a faster connection thanks to a new U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) preclearance facility at Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport (YTZ). This marks the first such expansion in Canada in nearly two decades, streamlining travel by allowing passengers to clear customs before departure.
Streamlined Travel and New Routes
The preclearance facility means passengers arrive in the U.S. as if on domestic flights, avoiding lengthy waits upon landing. This development unlocks new routes from YTZ to key U.S. airports, including New York’s LaGuardia (LGA) and Ronald Reagan Washington National (DCA), which previously lacked international arrivals infrastructure.
Air Canada will launch daily flights between YTZ and LGA on March 29, with further expansion to Boston, Chicago, and Dulles airports planned in the following months. This expansion is driven by partnerships with United Airlines, as both IAD and ORD are major hubs for the carrier.
Competition and Airport Expansion
Porter Airlines, the long-standing primary carrier at YTZ, is responding to the increased competition by expanding its own routes. New service to Nashville (BNA) will begin in May, and Chicago service will shift from Midway (MDW) to O’Hare (ORD) in September. ORD is a hub for Porter’s partner, American Airlines.
The YTZ runway currently prohibits jet operations, with both airlines operating exclusively the de Havilland Canada Dash 8-Q400. However, this restriction is under review, as Ontario Premier Doug Ford has expressed support for extending the runway to accommodate jets, potentially shifting the airport’s operational capabilities.
Financial Impact and Capacity Growth
Travelers using the preclearance facility will pay a $16.56 CAD fee during the first year of operation. Despite the added cost, seat capacity to the U.S. from YTZ is projected to increase by nearly 5% in the first six months, solely due to Air Canada’s entrance into the market.
The opening of this facility represents a significant step forward for air travel between Toronto and the U.S., offering passengers more convenient and efficient connections.
The increased capacity and potential runway expansion position YTZ for continued growth, solidifying its role as a key regional airport.
