Runway End Safety Areas at Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport

In 2021, the Government of Canada published regulations that mandated Runway End Safety Areas (RESA) at Canadian airports, including ones that reach a threshold of 325,000 passengers per year for two consecutive years. Discussions on these regulations date back to 2010 when Transport Canada shared its intent to propose these safety regulations with the Canadian aviation industry.

The federal RESA mandate includes Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport (BBTCA) – also known as the island airport – which has seen passenger numbers increase annually from 26,000 passengers in 2006 to a recent peak of approximately about 2.8 million in 2019. Transport Canada has outlined that RESA must be in place at BBTCA by July 12, 2027.

Toronto’s waterfront is transforming, and the benefits influence our city’s prosperity and our quality of life. Every day, we see the revitalization principals from the City of Toronto’s 2003 Central Waterfront Plan being realized. We’re removing barriers and making connections, building a network of spectacular waterfront parks and public spaces, promoting a clean and green environment, and creating dynamic and diverse communities. Being on Toronto’s waterfront, the island airport is of significant interest to the City of Toronto.

As a signatory to the Tripartite Agreement  that governs the lease and operation of BBTCA on the Toronto Islands, the City of Toronto considered the options proposed by PortsToronto for RESA compliance at the island airport. In October 2024, Toronto City Council provided approvals for RESA Option 1.

Details on RESA implementation can be found on PortsToronto’s website.

 

Runway End Safety Areas (RESA) are intended to mitigate the impact when an airplane undershoots or overruns the runway. This can be addressed by:

  • Providing additional compacted level ground
  • Freeing up room by shortening runway declared distances (the useable area of the runway)
  • Installing an engineered material designed to stop airplanes if they reach the safety area
  • A combination of the options above

In October 2024, Toronto City Council considered item EX17.5. The following steps were taken to inform the City’s consideration of Runway End Safety Areas (RESA) implementation at the island airport:

  • Engagement with PortsToronto to learn more details about possible approaches to implementing RESA
  • Engagement with Transport Canada, as the other signatory to the Tripartite Agreement
  • Participation in PortsToronto’s Environmental Assessment process
  • Public engagement in fall 2024, including an online survey and in-person meeting
  • Staff analysis of PortsToronto’s proposals to achieve RESA compliance, informed by public feedback

On September 24, the City hosted an in-person public information session to inform and educate residents on Runway End Safety Areas (RESA). Public feedback received at this session and through the City’s online survey was also used to inform a staff report to Executive Committee and Toronto City Council in October.

To access the City’s presentation from the public meeting, email meg.stjohn@toronto.ca or learn more by reading our discussion guide: BBTCA Update.

Summaries