Canadian national flag carrier Air Canada says it will start flying from Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport (YTZ) to Ottawa Macdonald–Cartier International Airport (YOW) beginning October 31, 2021. In a statement released on October 7, 2021, the Montreal-headquartered airline said it would offer four daily roundtrip flights from Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport (YTZ) to the Canadian capital. Air Canada added that the service would increase to eight daily flights next summer.

Air Canada Express Jazz will operate the new Air Canada service with a 74 2+2 seat De Havilland Dash 8-400. On the flight, passengers will be offered a complimentary snack and drink. For its customers flying in and out of Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport (YTZ) Air Canada provides a free shuttle bus service between the airport and downtown. The bus picks up and drops off passengers downtown at the west entrance of The Fairmont Royal York Hotel, located at the corner of Front and York streets, directly opposite Union Station.

The flight takes around an hour

Currently, Air Canada operates five daily return flights between the Toronto Island airport and Montréal–Trudeau International Airport (YUL). The schedule for the new flights between Toronto and Ottawa is as follows:

Toronto Island to Ottawa:

  • Air Canada flight number AC 8950 will depart Toronto Island at 07:00 and arrive in Ottawa at 07:59
  • Air Canada flight number AC 8954 will depart Toronto Island at 08:35 and arrive in Ottawa at 09:34
  • Air Canada flight number AC 8960 will depart Toronto Island at 17:00 and arrive in Ottawa at 17:59
  • Air Canada flight number AC 8962 will depart Toronto Island at 18:00 and arrive in Ottawa at 18:59

Ottawa to Toronto Island:

  • Air Canada flight number AC 8953 will depart Ottawa at 07:00 and arrive in Toronto Island at 08:04
  • Air Canada flight number AC 8955 will depart Ottawa at 08:30 and arrive in Toronto Island at 09:34
  • Air Canada flight number AC 8961 will depart Ottawa at 16:25 and arrive in Toronto Island at 17:29
  • Air Canada flight number AC 8963 will depart Ottawa at 18:30 and arrive in Toronto Island at 19:34
The flight will be operated by a Dash-8-400. Image: GCmaps

When speaking about the new Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport (YTZ) to Ottawa Macdonald–Cartier International Airport (YOW) flights, Senior Vice President, Network Planning and Revenue Management at Air Canada Mark Galardo said:

"Air Canada's new service from Toronto Island to Ottawa will conveniently link Canada's capital directly with the center of the country's leading business center. This new route is designed to meet customer demand in this heavily traveled market, with a large business travel component, and complement our recently resumed Montreal-Toronto Island airport service. It is a further example of how Air Canada is rebuilding its network, including by adding new routes and destinations in our determination to emerge from the pandemic an even stronger airline."

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About Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport

Named after Victoria Cross recipient Canadian World War I flying ace William Avery Bishop, Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport is located on the Toronto Islands, two miles southwest of downtown Toronto. In contrast, the city's main airport Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ), is located 14 miles northwest of downtown Toronto.

A view of Toronto City Airport from CN Tower, looking towards southwest
An underground tunnel links the airport with the mainland. Photo: DXR via Wikipedia

Toronto Island Airport is only open between 06:45 and 23:00 and is classified as a Canadian border entry point which means it can accept flights from the USA.

What do you think about the new Toronto Island flights to Ottawa? Please tell us your thoughts in the comments.