Toronto’s Billy Bishop Airport soars to 85 years in 2024

Monday, February 5, 2024

PortsToronto, the proud steward of Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport, is delighted to announce the commencement of a jubilant festivity commemorating 85 years of aviation at Toronto’s downtown airport.

In the 1930s, conceived initially as Toronto’s primary airport, the construction of what we now know as Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport was finalized in 1939 under the auspices of the Toronto Harbour Commission (THC), a precursor to PortsToronto. Simultaneously, THC also orchestrated the development of Malton Airport (now Toronto Pearson International Airport) as an alternative secondary airport to address potential weather-related challenges.

February 4, 1939, witnessed the historic touchdown of H.F. McLean’s Stinson SR-9F Reliant aircraft at Toronto’s newly minted airport, symbolizing the genesis of 85 years of aviation at Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport.

Later that same year, on September 8, the airport warmly embraced its inaugural commercial passenger flight when a charter plane carrying the renowned trumpet virtuoso and conductor, Tommy Dorsey, and his swing band graced the tarmac in Toronto for a two-day performance at the Canadian National Exhibition (CNE).

These significant milestones will serve as the cornerstone of a grand celebration at Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport, dedicated to honoring its rich heritage, vibrant present, and promising future.

“Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport has a long and storied history operating on Toronto’s waterfront. Welcoming its first flight in 1939, the airport soon became an integral component of the war effort serving as a base for allied pilot training. In the years since, the airport has established itself as a valuable asset for the City of Toronto, Ontario and Canada, providing a transportation gateway for residents and visitors alike, enabling trade and tourism, driving economic impact, facilitating healthcare and creating jobs,” says RJ Steenstra, President and CEO of PortsToronto, owner and operator of Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport. “We look forward to many more years of providing award-winning service that keeps people moving, supports the economy and makes connections between Toronto and the world.”

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