United States Customs & Border Protection (CBP) has Preclearance facilities at select foreign airports, whereby passengers clear customs and immigration prior to boarding their US-bound flight. The intent is that this is supposed to enhance security, and also be a competitive advantage for an airport.
Along those lines, many Canadian airports have US Preclearance facilities. Well, after over a decade in the pipeline, there’s an exciting update today for one of Canada’s unique “city” airports.
In this post:
Toronto City Airport finally gets US Preclearance
While Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ) is the major international airport in the Toronto area, there’s also Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport (YTZ), which is located much closer to downtown, and which has all-turboprop operations.
Toronto City Airport is all about convenience, with the airport promising that passengers don’t have to arrive that early, thanks to the airport’s much smaller scale. Now the airport can market another feature — as of today (Tuesday, March 10, 2026), Toronto City Airport has a US Preclearance facility.
This is something the airport was working toward for over 10 years, but the project officially started in 2023, and it was built at the cost of $30 million CAD. Keep in mind with these Preclearance facilities, the host country (Canada) foots the bill for construction and some support functions, while the US provides the CBP officers.
Authorities are predicting that with this new Preclearance facility, the airport’s annual economic contribution could increase from $2.1 billion CAD to $5.3 billion CAD, with annual airport tax revenue possibly increasing from $150 million CAD to $215 million CAD (“could” is the key word here).
Here’s how the Canadian government describes the benefits of this arrangement:
Representing an important partnership with the United States Customs and Border Protection, the new preclearance facility will provide important benefits to Canadians and the air sector by:
- Streamlining the travel experience through allowing U.S.-bound passengers to complete the customs process before departure, and proceed directly to connections or their final destinations.
- Enhancing border security and early threat detection by enabling Canada and the United States to collaborate on managing border risks and addressing shared security concerns.
- Supporting economic growth and job creation by increasing the airport’s economic contribution in the region and boosting employment on both sides of the border.
- Strengthening trade and tourism ties by easing cross-border tourism and broader economic activity between Canada and the United States, and opening new opportunities and destinations for Canadians to the United States and connections to other areas abroad.
It’ll be interesting to see how Toronto City Airport evolves
Historically, Toronto City Airport has been dominated by Porter Airlines, through Air Canada has been growing there as well, with both airlines flying De Havilland Dash 8s.
Porter has had no issues operating transborder flights out of Toronto City Airport (with US immigration simply happening on arrival rather than on departure), while Air Canada hasn’t operated those flights.
However, with the US Preclearance facility opening, Air Canada has announced plans to launch four routes to the United States, including to Boston (BOS), Chicago (ORD), New York (LGA), and Washington (IAD). Porter has already operated transborder flights, but is also increasing its own network.
Anyway, the belief seems to be that adding a Preclearance facility will greatly increase demand for use of the airport, and based on the flights being added so far, airlines seem to agree. I feel rather neutrally about Preclearance facilities, so I always personally have a hard time rationalizing how this drives the decision making process. This also doesn’t seem like the ideal time to expand flights between the two countries, given strained relations.
Another point worth raising is that there has long been talk of extending the runway at Toronto City Airport, in order to accommodate jets. This is something that has the community divided, with some politicians saying it’s only a matter of time until jets are allowed, while others try to block such a development.
Admittedly this is something that has been in the talks for a long time. For example, back in 2013, Porter placed an order for 30 Bombardier CS100 aircraft (now known as the Airbus A220-100). The order had been conditional on the government changing rules to allow jets at Toronto City Airport, but that never ended up happening. Ultimately the airline ultimately on Embraer E195-E2s, but used those to expand out of other airports.
Bottom line
Toronto City Airport finally has a US Preclearance facility, which airport and city officials seem to think will be a game changer, in terms of demand. YTZ is a unique airport, given its proximity to the city, the small size of the field, and its turboprop-only operations, in an era where jets dominate the skies.
It’ll be interesting to see how demand at the airport evolves in the long run, and in particular, if we do ever see the airport expanded to accommodate jets.
What do you make of Toronto City Airport getting a US Preclearance facility?
Is there global entry?
They need YTZ-DCA, not IAD.
Expansion and jets reportedly approved a few days ago.
A bit too late for us but not before time. When we flew from Toronto City into EWR (or flight from YYZ-LGA having been cancelled), immigration clearance took longer than the damned flight!
Probably a reasonable bet, as others have touched upon, that Porter service from YTZ to both LGA and DCA is in the cards. Two AA hubs with no US customs and immigration facilities, so the only international arrivals are from airports with US pre-clearance.
With the current political environment, I would imagine that some Canadians and other non-Americans would prefer to clear CBP on Canadian soil. That way if there's any US visa issue, you're just refused boarding and don't risk (the admittedly small chance of) being detained on arrival in the US.
This.
For infrequent travellers or brown people, past experiences with USCBP have taught painful lessons. Toronto's population is largely non-white and not Canadian, ineligible for NEXUS/Global Entry. A Venezuelan/Angolan/Laotian in Toronto highly values Pre-Clearance. If USCBP on Toronto Island says "no", she goes back home and rebooks on a nonstop to a non-US destination. Without pre-clearance she lands in New Jersey, where she's delivered to the tender mercies of the Government of The United States...
This.
For infrequent travellers or brown people, past experiences with USCBP have taught painful lessons. Toronto's population is largely non-white and not Canadian, ineligible for NEXUS/Global Entry. A Venezuelan/Angolan/Laotian in Toronto highly values Pre-Clearance. If USCBP on Toronto Island says "no", she goes back home and rebooks on a nonstop to a non-US destination. Without pre-clearance she lands in New Jersey, where she's delivered to the tender mercies of the Government of The United States of America.
This addition makes YTZ competitive again.
Absolutely. With preclearance, there is no risk of being quickly bundled up and sent to a concentration camp in Texas. You’d just be turned back over to the Canadians. Assuming you aren’t actually a terrorist, this is vastly preferable.
LGA is the biggest reason for pre-clearance. Prior to that, you couldn't fly there. The YTZ Transborder Lounge for all used to be a nice oasis and truly felt like a lounge. Add in some cost cutting and a lot more passengers, it's going to get ugly fast.
The current prime minister is very anti American and fans the flame of anti Americanism. He and Trump should be kicked out but he is not term limited, unlike Trump, which is an advantage of the US system.
I wonder how they solved the problem of USCBP carrying illegal guns in Canada?
Been solved for a while now.
"For the ones pertaining to the CBSA, they were updated based on their development of internal policies on the carriage of firearms, including in 2019, but never codified into regulations. Under a bilateral agreement with the United States, US preclearance officers (PCOs) have the authority to carry the same personal protective equipment as BSOs while performing duties and functions in the same operating environment. In other words, the temporary...
Been solved for a while now.
"For the ones pertaining to the CBSA, they were updated based on their development of internal policies on the carriage of firearms, including in 2019, but never codified into regulations. Under a bilateral agreement with the United States, US preclearance officers (PCOs) have the authority to carry the same personal protective equipment as BSOs while performing duties and functions in the same operating environment. In other words, the temporary exemptions for CBSA officers also permit US PCOs working at Canadian airports to carry, transport or have access to firearms and defensive equipment."
Source: https://gazette.gc.ca/rp-pr/p1/2022/2022-03-19/html/reg1-eng.html
Many other Canadians are anti American. It has something to do with the 51st state comment. It is quite easy to fan the flame of anti Americanism these days. I fail, however, to see the segway between a blog about pre clearance at a Canadian airport and the leaders of the respective countries. Please do not be too confident in enduring safety net of the US system of term limits on Presidents. The last US...
Many other Canadians are anti American. It has something to do with the 51st state comment. It is quite easy to fan the flame of anti Americanism these days. I fail, however, to see the segway between a blog about pre clearance at a Canadian airport and the leaders of the respective countries. Please do not be too confident in enduring safety net of the US system of term limits on Presidents. The last US President to have more than two terms, FDR, barely had a pulse for the final few months of his last term. Never underestimate the potential for the current Supreme Court to allow a third term for a similarly afflicted candidate.
This is great news for Toronto! Premiere Doug Ford has doubled down on airport expansion to include jets. Calls island residents "squatters"!
https://www.ctvnews.ca/toronto/article/ford-doubles-down-on-toronto-billy-bishop-expansion-plans-calls-island-residents-squatters/
It will be a matter of time before the island gets jets...the extension is a priority for Doug Ford.
I do agree the island residents want thier cake and eat it too. They get a screaming deal for living there. I think a good competitor to pearson is needed. Toronto needs another alternative that isnt Hamilton.
I see YTZ being like a Burbank is to LAX....regional with some longer trunk routes....but all international is still at YYZ.
And im sorry for the sake of 600 residents to dictate the progress of a city and urban center for 10M people....i think is a little much.
"island residents" are not the major group opposed to jets. Mentioning them is a classic Ford distraction. Tens of thousands of condo dwellers along the waterfront are the opposition, plus the City government for the most part.
One can argue that they are overfantasizing how noisy the jets will really be (and whether it matters, for 11 seconds). But one can also argue that permitting jets is the thin edge of the wedge, likely resulting...
"island residents" are not the major group opposed to jets. Mentioning them is a classic Ford distraction. Tens of thousands of condo dwellers along the waterfront are the opposition, plus the City government for the most part.
One can argue that they are overfantasizing how noisy the jets will really be (and whether it matters, for 11 seconds). But one can also argue that permitting jets is the thin edge of the wedge, likely resulting in higher traffic, more flights, later curfew. The city has few cards to play. Expect them to be extreme with curfew.
Me, I'm torn. I don't live at the waterfront but I'm sympathetic to those who do. Then again, I tolerate plenty of overflying in midtown and I've always wanted an AA redemption YTZ-ORD-Asia in JL/CX F.
Can't wait for AA to give Porter a couple slots so that the DCA-YYZ Flights can be replaced with DCA-YTZ ones.
As someone who doesn’t have Global Entry, having US immigration at Canadian airports is great. Anything to miss the lines at immigration at American airports. Toronto City Airport is a tremendous facility. Being able to basically walk to downtown is really unique.
As someone who doesn’t have Global Entry, having US immigration at Canadian airports is great. Anything to miss the lines at immigration at American airports. Toronto City Airport is a tremendous facility. Being able to basically walk to downtown is really unique.
Excellent news and great for travelers. LGA is now in play for Billy Bishop which is huge. Very interesting for Porter. Have to imagine this accelerates Porter cutting a real deal with AA and joining oneworld. Toronto was purposefully excluded from the AA/Porter partnership announced last fall.
I agree that this is the likely outcome, including Porter adding flights to more AA or AS hubs beyond what we saw last year.
Just to comment to Ben's statement "I feel rather neutrally about Preclearance facilities, so I always personally have a hard time rationalizing how this drives the decision making process."
I fly YTZ-EWR frequently and I have Global Entry so clearing customs/immigration in EWR is a breeze. However, for those without Globa Entry, clearing customs/immigration at EWR could be a long nightmare, lines stretch into the hundreds and waits can last >1 hour, negating any...
Just to comment to Ben's statement "I feel rather neutrally about Preclearance facilities, so I always personally have a hard time rationalizing how this drives the decision making process."
I fly YTZ-EWR frequently and I have Global Entry so clearing customs/immigration in EWR is a breeze. However, for those without Globa Entry, clearing customs/immigration at EWR could be a long nightmare, lines stretch into the hundreds and waits can last >1 hour, negating any benefit from flying out of YTZ vs. YYZ. Bottom line: This is a big win for Porter and AC for YTZ transborder flights, and I think it does drive the decision making process for Toronto fliers.
Please get them a slot at DCA!!!!!
I'd love to see Delta fly CRJ-700s or 900s into this airport instead of Pearson. Toronto Pearson is awful. Probably the worst major airport in North America. Back in the day, there would be cheap airfares on Delta originating out of Pearson for international travel in business class. So I'd fly to Toronto on one ticket and depart Toronto on a second ticket. Sometimes with only 2-3 hours' connection. It was a struggle at times...
I'd love to see Delta fly CRJ-700s or 900s into this airport instead of Pearson. Toronto Pearson is awful. Probably the worst major airport in North America. Back in the day, there would be cheap airfares on Delta originating out of Pearson for international travel in business class. So I'd fly to Toronto on one ticket and depart Toronto on a second ticket. Sometimes with only 2-3 hours' connection. It was a struggle at times because the airport's security and bags claim processes are awful. I know it's unlikely to happen but I'd love to see Canada and the US sign a deal to eliminate cabotage restrictions, allowing domestic US connections through Canada.
Secondary airlines like Delta are relegated to T3 in YYZ.
T1 where primary airlines are like United and AC is fine.
I've flown Delta, WestJet, KLM and Air France all from YYZ. No part of Terminal 3 is nice.
I suspect Delta purposefully wants to co-locate with its core partners at YYZ (including VS starting this year). There are undoubtedly a bunch of cost/facility efficiencies gained from it!
"Admittedly", this is good news! :)