Toronto 
US Customs and Border Protection (US CBP) will soon be available at Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport, thanks to funding provided by the federal government.
Artist rendering. (CNW Group/PortsToronto)
The announcement by Minister of Transport Omar Alghabra confirmed that the preclearance facility, which will be operational in 2025, will enhance the airport’s services. The construction of the facility is estimated to take 18-24 months.
The introduction of preclearance will enable passengers to clear customs in Toronto instead of upon landing at US airports. This convenience will also expand travel options, as smaller US airports without US CBP can now accept pre-cleared travellers.
Currently, there are 15 US CBP preclearance locations in six countries, with Billy Bishop Airport becoming the ninth in Canada.
Billy Bishop Airport serves as a crucial link between downtown Toronto and various regional and hub markets in the US. The addition of preclearance is expected to stimulate bilateral trade and facilitate convenient travel for both business and leisure passengers. The facility will feature advanced travel technology, including facial recognition, to streamline the process.
The federal government has pledged up to $30 million in capital funding to assist with the planning, design, and construction of the preclearance facility. However, operational costs will not be covered by the funding.
As the ninth busiest airport in Canada and the fifth busiest for US markets, Billy Bishop Airport traditionally handles approximately 450,000 US passengers annually.
