Island airport praised by industry group

Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport was named Best Airport in North America (over two million passenger category) by Airports Council International’s (ACI) 2016 Airport Service Quality Awards on March 6.

Billy Bishop Airport was also named Best Airport in North America (2-5 million passenger category) and tied for second place for Best Airport in the World (2-5 million passenger category).

The 2016 ACI Awards are based on the passenger-driven results of ACI’s Airport Service Quality Survey, which saw more than 600,000 in-depth passenger surveys conducted at more than 300 airports across 85 countries worldwide. The survey methodology is predicated on at least 1,200 surveys being conducted at each airport by ACI over the course of a year. The survey gathers information relating to passenger satisfaction across a number of key performance indicators for airport service including airport access, check-in, security screening, courtesy of staff and comfort of waiting areas. Billy Bishop Airport participated in the Airport Service Quality Survey – considered to be the world’s benchmark measure of airport excellence – for the first time in 2015 when it received a third place ranking as one of the top North American airports.

“We see ever-greater competition among airports and with it increasing pressure to optimize performance across the operation, especially when it comes to the passenger experience,” said Angela Gittens, Director General, ACI World. “Today’s airport managers must meet and exceed passengers’ expectations and Billy Bishop Airport’s results in the 2016 ASQ Survey demonstrate that the airport has done just that. We applaud the professionalism and commitment it takes to deliver that high level of customer service.”

“It is an incredible honour to be ranked Best Airport in North America as well as one of the top airports in the world in ACI’s Airport Service Quality Awards,” said Geoffrey Wilson, CEO of PortsToronto, owner and operator of Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport. “The basis for these awards is thousands of passenger surveys that rank airports on a long list of services, amenities and experiences. To rank best in North America and among the best in the world is an extraordinary honour that really speaks to the exceptional performance of our employees and to the truly unique passenger experience at Billy Bishop Airport. From our excellent customer service, to the award-winning airlines, to amenities such as the pedestrian tunnel, shuttle service, full-service lounges, proximity to downtown and shorter lines, this airport is recognized as a world-class facility and an asset to the City of Toronto that drives business, creates jobs, facilitates tourism and serves as an important gateway.”

This is the latest in a series of awards won by Billy Bishop Airport recently, including being named one of the top airports in North America by the Skytrax 2016 World Airport Awards and being ranked fourth Best International Airport by Condé Nast Traveler. The airport was also named as one of the Top Ten Most Beautiful Airport Approaches in the world by Private Fly in 2016.