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 is currently considering the options proposed by PortsToronto for RESA compliance at the island airport. To this end, the City is committed to ensuring a clear, transparent decision-making process, aligned with the interests of residents and businesses in Toronto.

Public feedback is currently being invited to inform a staff report on RESA implementation at BBTCA, scheduled to be presented to Executive Committee and Toronto City Council this fall.

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 or a combination of these options
  • Or a combination of the above options.

PortsToronto is considering options for complying with RESA at BBTCA. For more information, visit PortsToronto’s website.

The following steps are being taken to inform the City’s approach to considering Runway End Safety Areas (RESA) implementation at the island airport, which may require specific amendments to the Tripartite Agreement:

  • Engaging with PortsToronto to learn more details about possible approaches to implementing RESA
  • Engaging with Transport Canada, as the other signatory to the Tripartite Agreement
  • Participating in PortsToronto’s Environmental Assessment process
  • Preparing a staff report to Executive Committee and Toronto City Council with recommendations – informed by public feedback – on PortsToronto’s proposal to achieve RESA compliance at BBTCA, due in fall 2024
  • Planning next steps based on Toronto City Council decision

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