Ontario Expanding Billy Bishop Airport
March 23, 2026
By expanding capacity at Billy Bishop Airport, the province will help meet future demand in southern Ontario, reduce pressure at Toronto Pearson International Airport, increase competition in the air travel sector to support more routes and cheaper flights, and support the creation of good-paying jobs in Ontario’s aviation, tourism and construction sectors.
The Toronto Port Authority has proposed a modernization plan for Billy Bishop Airport that includes updates to the tripartite agreement to allow for modern jet aircraft, changes to the runway to accommodate modern aircraft, enhancements to the terminal building and improved access to Toronto’s waterfront. Once fully expanded, the Toronto Port Authority estimates the airport’s activities will contribute up to $8.5 billion to Canada’s economy every year by 2050 and support up to 23,000 jobs in Ontario’s construction sector alone.
Billy Bishop Airport is a vital transportation hub for Ontario and Canada, serving approximately two million passengers each year and connecting Toronto to more than 20 cities across Canada and the United States. It is also a major economic driver for the province, contributing $900 million in GDP and $1.8 billion in economic output each year, while supporting 9,000 jobs in 2024.
The province intends to introduce legislation in the Ontario Legislature’s upcoming spring session that would, if passed, take ownership of the city-owned land at the airport and facilitate the city’s replacement by the province in the tripartite agreement. Ahead of the start of construction on the airport’s expansion, and following consultation with impacted First Nations, the province also intends to declare Billy Bishop Airport a Special Economic Zone. This would speed up the expansion of the airport by streamlining approvals, while maintaining robust safety and environmental protections. The province has engaged with more than 130 First Nations regarding the development of a regulatory framework for Special Economic Zones and will continue to fully meet its duty to consult with Indigenous communities moving forward.
