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Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport Commemorates International Women’s Day by Honouring Women in Aviation

08/03/2024

TORONTO, ONTARIO – Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport is commemorating International Women’s Day with the unveiling of a Women in Aviation Wall of Fame on the departures level of the passenger terminal. The space, located just past the Indigenous Art Gallery as passengers move from the ferry entrance to the check-in area, will feature eight women trailblazers in aviation with connections to Toronto or Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport.

Amelia Earhart has been chosen as the inaugural Women in Aviation Wall of Fame honouree. Earhart’s connection to Toronto dates back to 1917 when her visit to the city ignited her passion for flight.

“Nieuport Aviation, and indeed everyone at YTZ, is inspired by the many great women leaders in aviation with strong ties to Toronto,” says Neil Pakey, President and CEO, Nieuport Aviation. “It is fitting that the first inductee on our Wall of Fame is Amelia Earhart, who was inspired to start flying while working at our local Spadina Military Hospital in Toronto.  She would go on to be the first woman to fly solo across the Atlantic, and in doing so, inspired generations.”

“The contributions of women in aviation and in our airport community here at Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport are inextricably linked to our success, and our future,” says RJ Steenstra, President and CEO, PortsToronto. “We’re thrilled to see this Women in Aviation Wall of Fame take flight at Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport as part of the airport’s 85th anniversary celebration, and applaud our partners Nieuport Aviation for shining a light on the stories of these inspiring women.

With the help of a panel of aviation experts and community members, a new inductee will be introduced every six weeks to the end of 2024 for a total of eight women aviators honoured. To learn more about the Women in Aviation Wall of Fame, please click here.

About Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport
Offering service to more than 20 cities in Canada and the U.S., with connection opportunities to more than 80 international destinations via our airlines’ networks, Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport is an important international gateway that will offer US Preclearance in 2025. The airport is a key driver to Toronto’s economy, generating more than $2.1 billion in total economic output and supporting 4,450 jobs, including 2,080 directly associated with the airport’s operations. Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport has served its community for 85 years from its iconic location on the Toronto waterfront, where it facilitates healthcare for Ontarians by providing a base for medevac services connected to local hospitals. Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport is committed to achieving its vision of cleaner, greener and quieter operations, and is renowned for its unique travel experience, efficiency, and customer service, having won a host of passenger-driven and environmental achievement awards. Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport is owned and operated by PortsToronto. To learn more, visit www.billybishopairport.com.

About Nieuport Aviation
Nieuport Aviation is the owner and operator of the passenger terminal at Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport. Backed by Canadian and international pension funds and supported by significant international expertise in managing aviation operations, we are committed to world-class customer service for the millions of customers using the airport. In addition to managing the passenger terminal, Nieuport Aviation offers passengers a free bus shuttle service between the airport and downtown Toronto, helping to provide a seamless travel experience. For more information, please visit www.nieuport.com. Since acquiring the airport terminal, Nieuport has invested $60 million in upgrades, recently opening the Aspire Business Lounge for Canadian travellers. Nieuport is further investing in the development of the US Customs pre-clearance facility, to be opened in 2025. For more information, please visit www.nieuport.com.

About PortsToronto
For more than 100 years PortsToronto has worked with its partners at the federal, provincial and municipal levels to enhance the economic growth of the City of Toronto and the Greater Toronto Area. PortsToronto owns and operates Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport, which welcomed approximately 2.8 million passengers in 2019; the Outer Harbour Marina, one of Canada’s largest freshwater marinas; and, Marine Terminal 52, which provides transportation, distribution, storage and container services to businesses at the Port of Toronto. PortsToronto is committed to fostering strong, healthy and sustainable communities and has invested more than $14 million since 2009 in charitable initiatives and environmental programs that benefit communities along Toronto’s waterfront and beyond. PortsToronto operates in accordance with the Canada Marine Act and is guided by a nine-member board with representation from all three levels of government. To learn more, visit www.portstoronto.com.

Contact

Ryan White, Senior Manager, Communications and Public Affairs

[email protected]

Jessica Pellerin, Manager, Media Relations and Public Affairs, PortsToronto
[email protected]