Saturday, May
25, Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport will open its doors,
offering a unique opportunity to explore behind-the-scenes of
operations at YTZ
TORONTO, May 21, 2024
/CNW/ - On Saturday, May 25 Billy
Bishop Toronto City Airport will once again open its doors as part
of Doors Open Toronto 2024. Throughout the day, thousands of
people are expected to visit Billy Bishop Airport as part of the
annual city-wide event.
This year's theme – Hidden Histories– is about telling the story
of Toronto through its many pasts
and voices. Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport is celebrating its
85th anniversary this year, and this theme could not be better
suited for the occasion. Since opening in 1939, Billy Bishop
Toronto City Airport has served as an important commercial aviation
centre connecting Toronto to the
world; a training ground for both the Royal Canadian and Royal
Norwegian Air Forces during World War II; a hub for General
Aviation and life-saving emergency Medevac services; and as a key
driver of Toronto's economy. With
85 years of flight and history, what better location to learn and
explore about the city's hidden histories?
As part of Doors Open 2024, visitors will have a unique
opportunity to explore the airport's buildings and facilities, go
behind-the-scenes of airport operations and learn more about its
long and storied history operating on Toronto's Waterfront.
Airport staff and partners will be onsite to answer questions
and provide visitors with a unique glimpse of the airport,
including:
- Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport's award-winning underwater
pedestrian tunnel, the island atrium and mainland pavilion, as well
as a staging area to view the airport's runway operations and
aircraft up close;
- Public artwork on display, including the granite sculpture
Maanjidowin: The Gathering created in collaboration
with the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation and Project
T-Dot, the airport's largest art installation;
- The airport's fire hall and maintenance facility, which will
give kids of all ages the opportunity to explore the airport's
state-of-the-art safety vehicles;
- Taking the scenic route aboard the cleaner, greener and quieter
Marilyn Bell ferry, the first
all-electric ferry in Canada;
- Viewing of PortsToronto's tugboat, the Iron Guppy, which is
responsible for ice breaking in the Western Gap in the winter
months and harbour clean-up in the summer;
- Taking in the incredible views of Toronto's harbour, along our dock wall seating
area along the Western Gap;
- A historical exhibit featuring memorabilia from WWI hero
Billy Bishop including a full-size
model of the Nieuport 17 aircraft flown by Bishop, a life-size
bronze sculpture of Bishop's first meeting with fellow flying ace
William Barker, and an original
First World War-era Curtiss JN-4 Canuck biplane propeller;
- Airport partners and tenants, such as Air Canada, Porter
Airlines, Nieuport Aviation, Ornge, and Heli Tours, among others,
who will host displays and showcase the full range of services that
the airport provides;
- Take a peek behind the scenes at a working airport maintenance
hangar with Porter Airlines, and get an up close and personal look
at a De Havilland Dash 8-Q400 aircraft;
- Dance along to musical performances and DJ sets;
- A live broadcast by Indie88 with Street Team activations and
giveaways; and,
- Exciting activations to tie in with the theme "Hidden
Histories".
Learn more about our exhibitors and view a map of the event
on our website.
About Billy Bishop Toronto City
Airport (YTZ)
Offering service to more than 20 cities in Canada and the U.S., with connection
opportunities to more than 100 international destinations via our
airlines' networks, Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport is an
important international gateway that will offer US Preclearance in
2025. The airport is a key driver to Toronto's economy, generating more than
$2.1 billion in total economic output
and supporting 4,450 jobs, including 2,080 directly associated with
the airport's operations. Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport has
served its community for 85 years from its iconic location on the
Toronto waterfront, where it
facilitates healthcare for Ontarians by providing a base for
medevac services connected to local hospitals. Billy Bishop Toronto
City Airport is committed to achieving its vision of cleaner,
greener and quieter operations, and is renowned for its unique
travel experience, efficiency, and customer service, having won a
host of passenger-driven and environmental achievement awards.
Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport is owned and operated by
PortsToronto.
About Doors Open Toronto
Each May, Doors Open Toronto invites the public to explore the
city's most-loved buildings and sites, free of charge. The event
provides rare access to buildings that are not usually open to the
public and free access to sites that would usually charge an
admission fee. Since its inception in 2000, it has attracted more
than two million visits to nearly 700 unique locations and remains
the largest event of its kind in Canada. Doors Open Toronto is dedicated to
celebrating built heritage, architecture and design. It is produced
by the City of Toronto in
partnership with the broader community.
SOURCE Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport