TORONTO — PortsToronto has approved plans for upgrades and enhancements to the terminal at Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport.

The plans include increasing the terminal’s footprint to accommodate the airport’s growth since 2010, when the terminal was built, and to further enhance its passenger experience. Specific improvements include reconfiguring terminal space to accommodate passenger processing needs in anticipation of a U.S. Customs and Border Protection preclearance facility at the airport as previously announced by Prime Minister Trudeau and President Obama in March 2016.

The enhancement project will also add more space in both passenger lounges, allowing for more seating and additional amenities such as retail, food and beverage services. An 11th gate will also be added, to increase the terminal’s operational flexibility and efficiencies during peak travel periods and weather events.

“The improvements that are being proposed will take shape in the coming months, and are geared at better accommodating the 2.5 million passengers that travel through the airport each year, as well as further enhancing the world-class experience that is currently offered to passengers by adding more seating, retail and food services, and ultimately preclearance into the U.S.,” said Geoffrey Wilson, CEO of PortsToronto, owner and operator of Billy Bishop Airport.

PortsToronto says the terminal upgrade will be “as seamless as possible” for travellers and airport partners and will not disrupt the surrounding community. The project will get underway later this month and is expected to be completed in 2018.