Island Airport History
A short history of the Toronto island airport:
October 1928: Toronto City Council asks Harbour Commission for a report on turning Toronto Island's Western sandbar into a seaplane, flying boat, and amphibious airplane base.
Oct. 11, 1935: Construction begins on tunnel to serve airport, mainly as a make work project during depression.
Oct. 29, 1935: All work on airport and tunnel cease with Liberal victory over Conservatives in federal election.
1937-1939: Port George VI Airfield (named for 1939 Royal visit) is built on Toronto Islands by Harbour Commission, but paid for by Toronto City Council.
Feb. 2, 1939: First plane lands at island airport, flown by H.F. McLean from Montreal to Toronto.
1939-1943: Used as a training base for Royal Norwegian Air Force during the Second World War.
1943: Royal Norwegian Air Force moves base to Muskoka, Royal Canadian Air Force takes over island airport.
1945: Air Force moves out of island airport, and Central Airways moves in.
1961: The airport's 1,212-metre runway and taxiways are completed.
July 1962: Toronto Harbour Commission takes over airport from City of Toronto.
1964: Maple City Ferry replaces cable ferry, and carries 100 passengers and six cars.
1982: City Centre Airways operates de Haviland Dash 7 planes between island, Ottawa, and Montreal.
1984 - 1991: City Express, which later peaked at 400,000 passengers a year, begins passenger service to Montreal, Ottawa, Quebec City and Newark.
1989: Airport celebrates 50th anniversary.
1990: Air Ontario (later Air Canada Jazz) starts service to London, Ottawa, Montreal and Newark. February 1991: City Express goes out of business.
November 1994: Airport renamed Toronto City Centre Airport
1998: City council approves bridge to island airport, and U.S. Airways Express starts service between island airport and Syracuse, N.Y. and White Plains, N.Y.
June 1999: Toronto Port Authority is established to replace Toronto Harbour Commission.
Jan. 31, 2006: Air Canada Jazz is evicted from its space at island airport. Two days later, Porter Airlines venture is announced.
October 2006: Porter Airlines first flight to Ottawa takes off.
April 2009: Porter announces $45 million new terminal at island airport.
October 2009: Porter celebrates third anniversary, having flown 32,000 flights to nine locations across North America.
November 2009: Toronto Port Authority changes airport's name, from Toronto City Centre Airport to Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport.
2010: Porter expects 1 million + passengers a year.
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