From what we know to date, the only possible way the TPA can squeeze 212 slots into the Island Airport is by dumping medevac flights, the flying school, and private aircraft.

Since the lease for the medevac service was signed in 1991, it may well be expiring in 2011 anyway.

No one on the waterfront will grieve its departure. Frequent loud helicopter noises in the middle of the night are huge irritants. And we know that that service is better located north of the 401 in any event – the time to get to critically il patients is shortened, as most are picked up well north of the City, according to data obtained by CommunityAIR from ORNGE, the service operator.

But the agreement governing the airport only permits a limited commercial service using STOL aircraft -  and requires that it remain open as a “permanent public airport available for general aviation”.

Here’s the wording  of that constraint (my emphasis):

(1) At all times during the term of this Lease Agreement the Lessee [i.e. the TPA]shall have the right and obligation to administer, control, maintain, manage and operate the Toronto City Centre Airport as a permanent public airport available for general aviation, and from the time of receipt of a request from the Minister, available for limited commercial STOL service operations.

(2) The right of the Lessee to administer, control, maintain, manage and operate the Toronto City Centre Airport means the right to use or occupy and to permit or allow the use or occupation of the Toronto City Centre Airport for general aviation and limited commercial STOL service operations including, but not limited to, the storing or repairing of aircraft, and refreshment and other concessions of a type ordinarily associated with a permanent public airport and, insofar as other ancillary uses are concerned, with the written consent of the Lessor which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld.

(3) The Lessee shall not use or occupy the Toronto City Centre Airport, or permit or allow the Toronto City Centre Airport to be used or occupied for any purpose whatsoever other than as set out in subsection (2).

So, just how do they get around that?

Presumable that confidential report the TPA says they have, will tell us. Wonder why it’s so confidential?

Brian Iler