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.
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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.
A great solo travel tip spotted this week on One Mile at a Time.
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