Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport USCBP Baggage Handling System Upgrade
Alstef Group successfully delivered a major baggage handling system upgrade at Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport (YTZ), supporting the airport's U.S. Customs and Border Protection (USCBP) preclearance initiative.
About this Project
- Client: Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport (YTZ)
- Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Scope: Baggage Handling System Upgrade for U.S. Customs and Border Protection (USCBP) Preclearance Programme
- Completed: 2026
Background
Located on Toronto's waterfront, Billy Bishop is Canada's ninth-busiest airport and one of the country's key transborder gateways. The project was designed to enable U.S. preclearance processing while enhancing baggage handling efficiency, operational flexibility, and passenger experience. The airport first awarded the contract to Alstef Group to support its USCBP programme, with the upgraded system now fully commissioned and operational.
Delivering the upgrade within an operational airport environment required careful planning, staged implementation, and close collaboration with airport stakeholders to ensure minimal disruption to day-to-day operations.
The Solution
Alstef Group delivered a comprehensive upgrade to the airport's baggage handling system, incorporating new infrastructure, system modifications, and advanced baggage identification technology.
The scope included:
USCBP Processing Integration
- Installation of new conveyors
- Modifications to existing baggage handling infrastructure
- New routing capabilities to support U.S. preclearance processing requirements
Outbound System Upgrades
- Transfer line enhancements
- Sortation conveyor upgrades
- Manual encoding station integration
- Radiation screening system integration
- Bag recall vertical lift installation
- Make-up carousel upgrades
BIWIS Implementation
Alstef Group completed the installation and commissioning of a full Baggage Imaging and Weight Identification System (BIWIS), including:
- Inline baggage identification stations
- Oversize baggage processing stations
- Transfer baggage stations
- Supervisor workstations
- Barcode scanners
- Operator monitors and control interfaces
These upgrades provide enhanced baggage visibility, improved tracking accuracy, and more efficient baggage processing throughout the airport.
The Challenge
The introduction of U.S. preclearance facilities required significant modifications to the existing baggage handling infrastructure to accommodate new passenger processing requirements and support future transborder growth.
The airport required a solution that would:
- Integrate seamlessly with new USCBP processing requirements
- Enhance outbound baggage handling capabilities
- Improve baggage tracking and identification accuracy
- Maintain airport operations throughout construction and commissioning
- Support future operational growth and passenger demand
Results
The upgraded baggage handling system is now fully commissioned and operational, supporting Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport's USCBP preclearance programme and future growth objectives.
Key Benefits
- Support for U.S. preclearance operations
- Improved baggage tracking and identification
- Enhanced outbound baggage processing efficiency
- Increased operational flexibility
- Improved passenger experience
- Future-ready infrastructure supporting airport growth
Project Outcome
The successful delivery of the Billy Bishop Airport baggage handling system upgrade demonstrates Alstef Group's expertise in modernising airport infrastructure within operational environments. By combining baggage handling expertise, advanced identification technology, and careful project execution, Alstef Group delivered a solution that supports both current operational requirements and future airport expansion plans.