Billy Bishop airport celebrates 85th anniversary

PortsToronto, owner and operator of Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport, is launching a celebration to mark 85 years of flight at Toronto's downtown airport.

Founded in the 1930s as the main airport for Toronto, the construction of what is now Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport was completed in 1939 by the Toronto Harbour Commission (THC), a predecessor organization of PortsToronto. At the same time, the THC built Malton Airport (now Toronto Pearson International Airport) as a secondary, alternate airport to be used inOn February 4, 1939, H.F. McLean of Montreal landed a Stinson SR-9F Reliant aircraft at Toronto's new airport, marking the beginning of 85 years of flight at Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport.

That same year, on September 8, Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport welcomed its first commercial passenger flight, as a charter flight carrying famed trumpet player and conductor Tommy Dorsey and his swing-band arrived in Toronto for a two-day engagement at the Canadian National Exhibition (CNE).

"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," said 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."

Visit BillyBishopAirport.com for a calendar of upcoming activities.