Reason to Love Toronto: Because it’s never been easier to get out of town
It’s a distant, foggy memory now, but let’s briefly recap: back in 2003, when David Miller ran for mayor, promising to obliterate a planned bridge to the evil island airport, we got swept up in the cause, the conviction, the anti-airport passion of the moment. Hell, we even voted for him because of it. Then Porter wiggled its way into our hearts with its complimentary cappuccinos and first-class service at coach rates. While Pearson grew ever more unbearable (the traffic, the schlepping, the waiting, the herding), the little airport that could sprouted a cute new name (Billy Bishop), and whatever it was that seemed so objectionable about it dissipated faster than foam on a free latte.
Unless you’re an Islander (or your name is Adam Vaughan), chances are the announcement that Air Canada and Continental would both begin flying out of Billy Bishop this month filled you with travel lust and glee. The Toronto Port Authority awarded 30 daily slots to Air Canada (which plans to run round trips to Montreal and eventually Ottawa) and 16 to Continental (which will fly to Newark). It also expanded Porter’s allotment from 112 to 156. Bob Deluce, Porter’s crafty CEO, claims to welcome the competition. That’s business-speak for “We’re going to clobber you guys.” (Deluce famously ousted Air Canada from the island five years ago.) To the rest of us, however, it translates into lower prices and more flight options, all within a few minutes of downtown. We’ll clink a complimentary cocktail to that.
![](http://www.facebook.com/sharer.php?u=https://torontolife.com/city/reason-to-love-toronto-because-its-never-been-easier-to-get-out-of-town/&title=Reason to Love Toronto: Because it’s never been easier to get out of town&picture=https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/love-toronto-feb2011-porter.jpg&description=[caption id="attachment_52646" align="alignright" width="360" caption="(Image: Nikki Ormerod)"][/caption]
It’s a distant, foggy memory now, but let’s briefly recap: back in 2003, when David Miller ran for mayor, promising to obliterate a planned bridge to the evil island airport, we got swept up in the cause, the conviction, the anti-airport passion of the moment. Hell, we even voted for him because of it. Then Porter wiggled its way into our hearts with its complimentary cappuccinos and first-class service at coach rates. While Pearson grew ever more unbearable (the traffic, the schlepping, the waiting, the herding), the little airport that could sprouted a cute new name (Billy Bishop), and whatever it was that seemed so objectionable about it dissipated faster than foam on a free latte.
Unless you’re an Islander (or your name is Adam Vaughan), chances are the announcement that Air Canada and Continental would both begin flying out of Billy Bishop this month filled you with travel lust and glee. The Toronto Port Authority awarded 30 daily slots to Air Canada (which plans to run round trips to Montreal and eventually Ottawa) and 16 to Continental (which will fly to Newark). It also expanded Porter’s allotment from 112 to 156. Bob Deluce, Porter’s crafty CEO, claims to welcome the competition. That’s business-speak for “We’re going to clobber you guys.” (Deluce famously ousted Air Canada from the island five years ago.) To the rest of us, however, it translates into lower prices and more flight options, all within a few minutes of downtown. We’ll clink a complimentary cocktail to that.){kind=link}
YTZ is a travesty, bringing noise to my condo (ignore the Gardiner, masses of trains, downtown traffic, and the 100k people working around me) that was only built 80 years after the airport opened!
We also should reroute Pearson traffic to avoid the houses that were built cheap specifically because they were on the landing path! It’s so unfair!
I’m Adam Vaughan and I approve this incoherent nonsense of a message.
This rates a poor second place to converting the airport land to park land. A stupid place for an airport.
So you traded your belief in a clean, green waterfront for a cute name, less schlepping and first-class service at coach prices. What other beliefs would you trade for 30 pieces of silver?
Dear Island NIMBYS and Fairweather Eco-Warriors: The facts speak for themselves. Downtown airports drive economic growth in cities. That creates jobs. Go have a word with yourselves.
This is fantastic news for the city. I was one of those that voted for David Miller because of the so-called evil airport. I have since come to love the airport and Porter. What a lovely airline, fantastic service.