May 5, 2026
For the average Toronto traveller, the most gruelling leg of a trip to Vancouver or San Francisco isn't the flight — it’s the crawl along the 401. Toronto Pearson sits 30 kilometres from the city centre, and in peak traffic, getting there can take longer than the flight itself.
This geographic gap represents a massive "efficiency leak," but a new poll suggests Torontonians are ready to trade the long commute for a quicker departure.
Public sentiment shifts toward ease of travel
While the city is statistically split on airport expansion, the data reveals a significant trend: support for jets at Billy Bishop jumps into the high 50s and low 60s when the conversation shifts to convenience and more vacation destinations.
Advertisement
According to the latest Liaison Strategies poll, 46% of residents are currently in favour of expansion. However, for younger travellers and downtown residents, the promise of reclaiming lost weekend time is a powerful motivator that outweighs traditional noise concerns.
Must Read
- Stop the leak: 5 costs Canadians (still) overpay for every single month. How many are sabotaging your 2026 budget?
- What's your worth? Here are the 3 net worth milestones that change everything for Canadians (and what they say about you)
- Dave Ramsey says this 7-step plan ‘works every single time’ to kill debt, get rich — and that ‘anyone’ can do it
Join 19,000+ readers and get Money.ca’s best stories and exclusive interviews first — clear insights curated and delivered weekly. Subscribe now.
Plugging the "commute before the commute"
The proposed introduction of modern jet aircraft aims to solve the "Pearson problem" by turning the island into a gateway for the whole continent. Currently restricted to slower turboprops, the airport is mostly a regional hub. Allowing jets like the Airbus A220 — which are engineered to be significantly quieter than older models — would provide the range needed for direct flights to West Coast beaches and Sunbelt getaway spots.
"Billy Bishop Airport is an important and underused part of Ontario’s transportation network," Prabmeet Sarkaria, Ontario's Minister of Transportation said in a statement (1). The province estimates that a modernized airport could contribute up to $8.5 billion to Canada’s economy every year by 2050 by making the city a more accessible destination for everyone.
Join thousands of Canadians who have mastered their money. Find the best budgeting software for your specific financial goals.
Reclaiming 150 hours of life
For the frequent traveller, the true value is found in the math of the "15-minute airport." When you stop measuring travel in stress and start measuring it in time, the savings are life-changing:
- The trek: A 90-minute round trip to Pearson (minimum)
- The frequency: 50 trips per year (for frequent fliers)
- The dividend: Nearly 150 hours of reclaimed personal time
By eliminating the "commute before the commute," Torontonians can effectively add nearly four weeks of "real life" back into their annual calendar.
A high-speed portal to North America
The efficiency argument gained further ground in early 2026 with the opening of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Preclearance facility at Billy Bishop. This means travellers can clear customs in Toronto and land in the U.S. as domestic passengers, skipping the massive lines at major American hubs.
"The airport is a vital piece of infrastructure for the city," said Robert Deluce, founder of Porter Airlines in a statement regarding the airport’s 2026 modernization strategy.. By adding jet capability to this preclearance service, Toronto’s downtown becomes a high-speed portal to the entire North American market.
As Premier Doug Ford moves to declare the airport a Special Economic Zone, the message to residents is clear: The era of transit-induced frustration is being replaced by a focus on getting you where you want to be, faster.
Article sources
We rely only on vetted sources and credible third-party reporting. For details, see our editorial ethics and guidelines.
Government of Ontario (1)
You May Also Like
- Here are 6 simple ways to avoid the stress of living paycheque to paycheque, according to Suze Orman
- If you’re still feeling the pinch this month — don’t panic. Here are 5 easy ways to fix your finances without a total overhaul
- How Warren Buffett’s simple buy-and-hold real estate approach offers a lesson for Canadian homeowners and long-term investors
- Approaching retirement with no savings? Don’t panic, you're not alone. Here are easy ways you can catch up (and fast)
Leslie Kennedy served as an editor at Thomson Reuters and for Star Media Group, followed by a number of years as a writer and editor and content manager in marketing communications, before returning to her editorial roots. She is a graduate of Humber College’s post-graduate journalism program and has been a professional writer and editor ever since.
