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Effective April 1, PortsToronto, owner and operator of Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport (Billy Bishop Airport), has reduced the airport improvement fee (AIF) to $15, down from $20.
Airport improvement fees are customary amounts that are charged to departing passengers of an airport to pay for infrastructure and capital improvements to the airport.
At $15 per departing passenger, the AIF at Billy Bishop Airport will now be among the lowest in Canada and represents the airport’s commitment to delivering a superior customer service experience that includes cost efficiency.
“Billy Bishop Airport has grown into a world-class airport and a key gateway to and from Toronto,” said Geoffrey Wilson, chief executive officer, PortsToronto.
“The airport and its passengers have benefitted from a consistent and strong stream of AIF funds that have been reinvested into infrastructure and capital projects such as the pedestrian tunnel and the airfield modernization, a three-year project that will successfully conclude this summer. With these big projects complete, and with passenger numbers continuing strong, PortsToronto is in a position to reduce the fees charged to the consumer and ensure a travel experience that is not only efficient, convenient and service oriented, but also cost effective.”
The reduced AIF is consistent with recommendations stemming from the 2016 Canada Transportation Act Review which cited the need for reduced travel costs, increased connectivity and improved service for Canadian travellers as an important means of keeping the aviation sector healthy and competitive.
The reduction in AIF comes as the airport is gearing up to introduce significant enhancements at the airport including an upgraded terminal, which is being undertaken by Nieuport Aviation Infrastructure Partners, that will further enhance the passenger experience.
The upgrades to the terminal will include new and larger lounge facilities, increased retail, food and beverage services, as well as an 11thgate to further enhance the efficiency offered to passengers who are flying to the more than 20 Canadian and U.S. destinations serviced by Billy Bishop Airport.
The upgraded terminal will also be fitted with the framework for a preclearance facility in anticipation of successful negotiations to bring U.S. Customs Border Protection staff and facilities to Billy Bishop Airport.
The airport has recently won a series of passenger-driven awards, including being named one of the top airports in North America in both the Airports Council International’s (ACI) 2017 Airport Service Quality Awards and Skytrax 2017 World Airport Awards, and was ranked sixth Best International Airport by Condé Nast Traveler in 2017.
Maybe Edmonton should follow suite, at $30.00 AIF and a 60.00 landing fee and with all the new none aviation development, malls, hotels, Costco, race track, golf course and freight etc., maybe it’s time to help lower Canadian travel costs.