A new U.S. border preclearance facility is opening at Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport, allowing passengers to clear customs before takeoff for faster, hassle-free arrivals in the U.S. 

At a press conference on Monday morning, Canada’s Minister of Transport, Steven MacKinnon, announced that the checkpoint for U.S.-bound travellers will officially open on March 10, 2026.

The opening of this new upgrade at the Island Airport marks Canada’s first new U.S. Customs and Border Protection preclearance facility in 25 years. 

The project, made possible by a $30 million capital investment from the Government of Canada, has been a long time coming. The border checkpoint was first announced in 2023 with the release of construction photos and was originally “on track” to open in 2025. But, like many projects of this calibre in Toronto, timelines shifted.

MacKinnon says the new preclearance facility “will make cross-border travel easier for passengers while enhancing border security and improving efficiency,” and could also boost jobs at the airport as the number of routes increases.

Roelof-Jan Steenstra, president and CEO of Port Authority Toronto, says the move “unlocks new direct access to U.S. destinations,” introduces modern border technologies to improve security and efficiency, and “significantly increases the economic impact” of the airport for Toronto and the surrounding area.

Meanwhile, the new preclearance facility may not be the only major change coming to Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport. Ontario Premier Doug Ford has also been pushing to extend the airport’s runway – named one of the “most beautiful” in the world to land on – and allow larger planes to operate at the downtown airport.

MacKinnon told CTV in a recent interview that the goal of these proposed upgrades is to reduce congestion, increase flight travel options for Ontario travellers and “support more routes to underserved parts of the province.” 

Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport, which is regularly ranked among the best airports in the world, handles about 2.8 million passengers each year, which works out to almost an average of 7,700 travellers per day.

If approved, these upgrades could significantly expand flight options from the downtown airport while also easing pressure on larger hubs like Toronto Pearson International Airport. 

Lead photo by

Adam McCullough / Shutterstock.com