Skip to main content

Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport Access Electrification Project


Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport Access Electrification Project

Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport (YTZ) is Canada’s ninth-busiest airport, and fifth-busiest offering service to the United States. PortsToronto owns and operates YTZ, while Nieuport Aviation Infrastructure Partners owns and operates the airport’s passenger terminal. Located a short walk from downtown, YTZ represents a unique offering for residents and visitors to Canada’s largest city, making it easier for business and leisure travelers to access the vibrant heart of Toronto.

While many walk or bike to the airport using the 185-metre long pedestrian tunnel (named the 2014 Canadian Project of the Year by the Tunnel Association of Canada), 25% of those accessing YTZ use Nieuport Aviation’s free shuttle bus service, and PortsToronto’s ferry operation transports passengers, airport staff and essential supplies to and from Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport, including emergency vehicles supporting Ornge medevac operations. With a shared objective of operating a cleaner, greener and quieter airport, PortsToronto and Nieuport Aviation have collaborated to electrify access to the airport.

In late 2021, PortsToronto’s Marilyn Bell became the first electric ferry service in Canada to be powered by a zero-emission, lithium-ion power and propulsion system containing no diesel components. Earlier this year, Nieuport Aviation, along with shuttlebus service provider TOK Group, announced an order for six Vicinity Lightning electric buses. These buses will replace the current diesel-powered shuttle bus fleet connecting passengers between YTZ and Union Station.

In addition to cutting CO2 emissions associated with the ferry and shuttles to zero, both initiatives help to reduce operational noise in the community, building on the airport’s award-winning Noise Management Program.

With the forthcoming introduction of Nieuport Aviation’s electric shuttle buses, YTZ will have effectively “greened” every form of airport access under its purview and reduced noise in the process, underscoring PortsToronto and Nieuport Aviation’s priority of operating a cleaner, greener and quieter airport.

Fast Facts

  • The electrification of the Marilyn Bell reduces the airport’s direct emissions by approximately 530 tonnes per year.
  • When operational, YTZ’s new electric shuttle buses are expected to cleanly and quietly transport over 500,000 passengers to and from the airport per year.
  • YTZ’s partnership with Bullfrog Power has kept Scope 2 emissions at zero for more than a decade.
  • Estimates indicate that Nieuport Aviation’s fleet of six electric buses will remove approximately 350 tonnes of CO2 from the atmosphere each year.
  • Efforts to encourage alternative transportation to and from Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport have been successful, with 41% of passengers choosing to walk, bike, take the shuttle or public transit from the airport.
  • The reduction in vehicle traffic to the airport has afforded PortsToronto the opportunity to reduce the footprint of vehicle access areas, including the adjacent Bathurst Quay/Canada Malting Silos site, which is being transformed into a vibrant community space and park located right at the airport’s doorstep.

Through their long-term focus on sustainability, PortsToronto and Nieuport Aviation are modelling sustainable business practices and helping to shape a better, cleaner future for wildlife and the people that live, work and play along Toronto’s shores and beyond.

 

More Traveller Experiences...

Santa Claus is Coming to Town!
The 120th Santa Claus Parade will hit the streets of Toronto on Sunday, November 24th.
Learn more about the Santa Claus Parade
New Heritage Toronto Commemorative Plaque Honours 85 Years of Flight at Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport
Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport and Heritage Toronto today unveiled a new plaque commemorating 85 Years of Flight at Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport.
Learn more
Soar to New Heights at Girls Take Flight
On Saturday, September 21, join us at Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport’s inaugural Girls Take Flight.
Learn more about Girls Take Flight
Celebrate the Last Weekend of Summer at the Toronto Waterfront Festival
The Toronto Waterfront Festival returns September 14 and 15 to Sugar Beach.
Learn more about the Toronto Waterfront Festival
Celebrating Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport’s 85th Anniversary
This summer we celebrated the airport's 85th anniversary with pop-up activations.
Learn more about our 85th anniversary activations.
Flying with Billy Bishop Walking Tour
Join Heritage Toronto for their “Flying with Billy Bishop Walking Tour”.
Learn more about the Flying with Billy Bishop Walking Tour
Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport Releases 2023 ESG Report
Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport today released its 2023 Environment, Social and Governance (ESG) Report.
Learn more about our 2023 ESG report
Explore Behind-the-Scenes at Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport during Doors Open Toronto
On Saturday, May 25 Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport will once again open its doors as part of Doors Open Toronto 2024.
Learn more about Doors Open Toronto
Person dressed for winter enjoying maple candy
The Shack is Back! Sugar Shack TO Hits Sugar Beach from March 9 – 10
Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport is proud to support this annual festival on Toronto’s Waterfront.
Learn more about Sugar Shack TO
Black and white photography exhibit
Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport Celebrates Toronto’s Diverse Hip-Hop Culture and Community with Project T-Dot
Toronto-based photographer Ajani Charles brings his stunning visual chronicle of Toronto’s diverse Hip-Hop scene to the city’s downtown airport for a limited time.
Learn more about Project T-Dot
Business woman standing on a movator
US CBP Preclearance Coming to Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport
Great news for Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport travelers! It's about to get a lot easier for passengers heading to the United States.
Read about US CBP Preclearance
St.John Therapy Dog in the airport atrium
St. John Ambulance Therapy Dog Program Makes a Pawsitive Impact at Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport
Travel can be hectic – especially during the holiday season – so Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport has partnered with volunteers at the St. John Ambulance (SJA) Therapy Dog Program to bring stress relief to travellers.
Learn more about the St. John Ambulance Therapy Dog Program
Indigenous art sculpture
Celebrating Indigenous Art and Culture at Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport
Next time you visit Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport, make some time to view the Indigenous art installations that are proudly represented at the airport and contribute to an enhanced passenger experience.
Learn More About the Indigenous Art Installations
Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport Marilyn Bell I is now Canada’s First Truly Zero Emission, Lithium-Ion Electric Ferry
The Marilyn Bell I ferry, which connects passengers, vehicles and supplies to Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport, is the first electric ferry service in Canada to be powered by a zero-emission, lithium-ion power and propulsion system containing no diesel components.
Learn more about the Marilyn Bell Ferry
It's My Airport - Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport
It’s My Airport
Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport is loved by travellers because it offers a unique travel experience that is based on convenience, accessibility, friendly service, and incredible views.
View the Traveller's Stories