Porter terminal sale another step in push for jets

NoJetsTO is criticizing the announced sale of the Toronto Island Airport passenger terminal by Porter Airlines. The sale is taking place without a city council decision on the expansion plans and without the TPA’s agreement to the passenger caps council had mandated.

“Porter’s CEO Deluce is filling his war chest to push through his plans for jets on our waterfront,” NoJetsTO Chair Norman Di Pasquale said. “It’s outrageous that such a major transaction is taking place without the TPA adhering to council’s decision on passenger caps.”

The sale, rumoured to be netting Porter Airlines around $750 million, comes in the middle of a controversial Port Authority-led Environmental Assessment. At the same time, the TPA is apparently offering a lease extension until 2055 to the terminal buyer, beyond the expiration of the Tripartite Agreement in 2033 that governs the airport. It is assumed that the City of Toronto was not consulted.

“A few days ago the Port Authority tried to rebrand itself as being closer to the community – and now they unilaterally offer a lease extension to the terminal buyer until 2055 without consulting anyone,” Di Pasquale pointed out. “Again, we see the TPA and Porter in lockstep to smooth the way for expanding the airport into a Pearson-on-the-Lake.”

“Without a doubt, Porter-owner Deluce will do more than just use his buddies at the TPA,” the NoJetsTO chair added. “Porter will put out more propaganda to wreck our waterfront with jets after this cash infusion.”

NoJetsTO is Toronto’s largest group of concerned citizens dedicated to preserving our mixed-use waterfront and a regional Island Airport. Representing residents across Toronto, the non-partisan organization NoJetsTO opposes the expansion of the Island Airport through jet aircraft and extended runways. NoJetsTO’s goal is to preserve the status quo at the Island Airport by protecting the Tripartite Agreement that governs it.