There is a new federal airport safety requirement that must be met at all airports, including Toronto’s island airport: the Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport (BBTCA). The requirement is called the Runway End Safety Area (RESA) regulation.
The Runway End Safety Area is a Transport Canada safety requirement with a deadline for implementation at the island airport by mid-2027. Ports Toronto is reviewing options to meet this requirement. The City of Toronto is a signatory to the Tripartite Agreement that governs the island airport along with Ports Toronto and Transport Canada.
The island airport is part of Toronto’s waterfront and what happens there is of significant interest to our communities. Through years of planning and implementation, our waterfront is being revitalized with new parks and public spaces, better connections to the water, and dynamic new communities.
On September 24, the City held an in-person public meeting on the Island Airport safety requirement.
You can provide your comments by filling out the City’s online survey here by September 26.
The public feedback will be a part of the report City staff are finalizing with recommendations for the Executive Committee meeting on October 1, then to City Council on October 9 to 11.
The Executive Committee meeting is another opportunity to make your perspective heard, either by speaking at the meeting or submitting your comments in writing.
The full report will be available here.
On that page, you can find links to sign up to speak or submit your comments, or email [email protected] on item EX17.5 with your request.
You can find more information on the Island Airport safety requirement here.
More details are on the City’s website here: https://www.toronto.ca/city-government/planning-development/waterfront/current-projects/billy-bishop-toronto-city-airport-initiatives/runway-end-safety-areas-at-billy-bishop-toronto-city-airport/?accordion=get-involved
