Flying Private to Toronto: Billy Bishop, Pearson, and the Airport Nobody Mentions

Three Airports, One City, and a Critical Choice

Toronto handles approximately 5,800 business jet movements annually across three airports, making it the busiest private aviation market in Canada and third-busiest in North America after the New York and Los Angeles metro areas. The city serves Bay Street finance, tech companies in the MaRS District, mining executives commuting to northern Ontario operations, and cross-border traffic between New York, Chicago, and Montreal. Choosing the right airport determines whether you reach your downtown meeting in 6 minutes or 50.

Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport (YTZ) sits on Toronto Islands in Lake Ontario, connected to the mainland by a 121-meter pedestrian tunnel. Pearson International (YYZ) is the major international airport 27 km northwest of downtown. Buttonville Municipal (YKZ) serves as a smaller GA airport 30 km north in Markham. Each has distinct advantages and limitations that depend on your aircraft type, passenger count, and final destination.

Billy Bishop (YTZ): Downtown on the Water

Billy Bishop is the airport you fly into for the shortest door-to-door time in Toronto. Its 3,988-foot runway (09/27) sits on the Toronto Islands, accessible through a pedestrian tunnel that deposits you at the foot of Bathurst Street, 6 minutes from Bay Street's financial towers. The location is extraordinary for a private aviation facility: you can see the CN Tower from the ramp. Customs clearance is available at the fixed-base operator.

The limitation is the runway. At 3,988 feet, YTZ restricts operations to turboprops and small light jets. King Air 350s, PC-12s, and Citations up to the CJ3+ operate regularly. Citations CJ4 and above, Phenom 300s, and anything larger cannot use this runway. There is no ILS approach; pilots use the RNAV (GPS) approach with 300-foot minimums, which limits access during low-visibility winter conditions.

Stolport Corp operates the FBO at Billy Bishop. Services include customs clearance (CANPASS/eDeclaration), aircraft parking, de-icing, and ground transportation coordination. Fuel is available (100LL and Jet-A) but pricing runs $1.50-$2.00 CAD per liter above Pearson rates due to island logistics. The FBO terminal is small but functional, with a passenger lounge and direct taxi access.

Pearson International (YYZ): The Full-Service Option

Toronto Pearson handles all aircraft types on five runways, the longest being Runway 05/23 at 11,120 feet. For heavy jets (G650, Global 7500, Falcon 8X) and any jet operation requiring ILS Category II/III approaches, Pearson is the only option. The private aviation complex is on the south side of the field, separate from the commercial terminals.

Skyservice FBO at Pearson is the primary private aviation facility. The 30,000-square-foot terminal includes VIP lounges, conference rooms, customs and immigration processing, crew rest facilities, and a dedicated security screening point (required at Pearson but faster than the commercial terminal). Shell Aerocentre operates a second FBO facility. Landing fees at Pearson are significant: $800-$2,000 CAD for business jets depending on weight class. This is the highest landing fee among Toronto's options.

Cross-Border Operations: U.S. to Toronto

Cross-border flights from the U.S. to Toronto require advance CANPASS or eDeclaration notification (minimum 2 hours before arrival, 4 hours recommended). Canadian customs at Pearson operates 24/7. Billy Bishop customs operates during limited hours (typically 8 AM-10 PM). Buttonville requires 48-hour advance customs notice.

• eDeclaration: Submit online at least 4 hours before arrival (all 3 airports)
• CANPASS Private Aircraft: Pre-registered travelers get expedited clearance
• Pearson: 24/7 CBSA staffing, no restrictions on arrival times
• Billy Bishop: CBSA available during FBO operating hours only
• Buttonville: CBSA by appointment only, 48-hour advance notice required
• Firearms: Canada prohibits most handguns; declare all firearms before departure
• Alcohol and tobacco: standard duty-free allowances apply (1.14L spirits, 200 cigarettes)

The most common charter route into Toronto is Teterboro (KTEB) to Pearson (CYYZ), approximately 340 NM, with a flight time of 1 hour 15 minutes in a midsize jet. The return trip clears U.S. customs at Teterboro. For passengers headed to downtown meetings, the time savings from YTZ are substantial: 6 minutes to Bay Street versus 30-50 minutes from Pearson via highway. But YTZ only works if your aircraft can land on 3,988 feet.

Ground Transportation and Drive Times

Uber and Lyft operate at all three airports. Car service from FBOs costs $100-$250 CAD to downtown from Pearson, $50-$75 from Billy Bishop, and $150-$300 from Buttonville. For clients heading to Muskoka Lake region (cottage country for Toronto's wealthy), Buttonville's northern location cuts 60 minutes off the drive compared to YTZ.