Today, PortsToronto welcomed BETA Technologies, manufacturer of electric aircraft and charging infrastructure, to Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport as the company conducted a demonstration flight with its Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) electric aircraft, the ALIA CTOL.
Co-hosted by fixed-base operator (FBO) Stolport, the event was an opportunity to showcase Toronto’s AAM readiness activity, from showcasing BETA’s aircraft to announcing Stolport’s purchase of a BETA electric charger for its operations.
As a lower-cost, safe and efficient alternative to traditional aviation, AAM offers many benefits. It can enable increased access to medical and emergency services, growing ecommerce and cargo capabilities, and more seamless passenger travel for rural and urban communities. It also contributes positively to noise abatement and air quality. Leadership on AAM is also an opportunity for education, job creation and skills development in the region.
Today’s flight of the electric ALIA aircraft signified Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport’s readiness to invest in the foundations and technology required for electric aircraft, as aligned with a modernized governance agreement.
In addition, Stolport announced the purchase of a BETA Minicube charger for use in their operations at Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport. The mobile unit is multimodal and interoperable, meaning it can power electric aircraft and ground vehicles alike. This represents BETA’s first charger sale in Canada.
One of the aerospace capitals of the world, Canada is a hub for exceptional engineering talent and major aerospace companies. Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport serves as an important hub for mobility within Ontario, providing more than two million passengers a year with safe transport to more than 20 cities in Canada and the U.S. and connections to more than 100 international destinations.
BETA’s structures engineering division is based out of Montreal. Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport has joined BETA’s growing network of infrastructure. The company has brought 52 chargers online at site locations across the U.S. for public and private use by commercial, military, and medical entities. These sites, which have been installed in partnership with airports, FBOs, government agencies, and OEMs, set the foundation to bring electric aviation to both metropolitan areas as well as rural and hard-to-reach communities with limited access to air transportation.
In addition to its ALIA CTOL (conventional takeoff and landing) aircraft, BETA is building the ALIA VTOL — a vertical takeoff and landing aircraft — at its 188,000 sq ft production facility in Vermont, U.S. The company is ramping production, certification, and delivery efforts across aircraft and ground support equipment, preparing for delivery and operations across its diverse roster of customers. This group includes UPS, Air New Zealand, Republic Airways, United Therapeutics, Bristow, Helijet, Metro Aviation, and the U.S. Department of Defense, among others.
“Today’s demonstration shows the promise of emissions-free travel that connects communities, creates jobs, and keeps our city on the cutting edge of environmental technology. I’m proud to see Billy Bishop protecting our beautiful waterfront while supporting innovation in aviation,” said MP James Maloney of Etobicoke-Lakeshore.
“Joining BETA’s global charging network is more than an operational upgrade — it is a commitment to being on the leading and greening edge of aviation in Canada. Stolport is proud to invest in smart infrastructure that enables the economic development of sustainable aviation,” added Nicolas Pappalardo, CEO, Stolport.
RJ Steenstra, who serves as President & CEO of PortsToronto — which owns and operates Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport — said: “Electric aircraft technology will contribute to the future of aviation and promises air travel that is cleaner, greener, and quieter, which aligns with our strategic goals at Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport. PortsToronto was delighted to host BETA Industries and witness innovation in action in today’s demonstration flight.
The future of electric aviation is not about the distant future; it is about the here and now, and we need to provide the conditions and leadership to ensure the effective adoption of this sustainable technology. Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport is well positioned to be an early adopter of new technology, such as this electric aircraft, to enhance its service offering and make investments in modernizing our operations.”
“Between our engineering hub in Montreal and customers in Vancouver, Canada is an important international focus for us. We’re excited to have flown ALIA into the heart of Toronto and to be teaming up with Stolport to help electrify Billy Bishop as the region embraces this new form of mobility. We look forward to all of the opportunities we can unlock together for Toronto and beyond,” noted Sheradin Fabrizius, Sales Director, BETA Technologies.
About BETA
BETA Technologies is a aerospace company manufacturing the future of aviation. The company is producing next-generation aircraft, including conventional fixed wing electric airplanes (“ALIA CTOL”) and electric vertical takeoff and landing (“ALIA VTOL”), as well as the technologies that enable them, such as electric propulsion systems, flight controls, and battery packs. In addition, BETA is deploying an infrastructure network across the U.S. to ensure this new class of aircraft has access to reliable charging. To date, the company has installed nearly 50 chargers across the east, west, and gulf coasts. With its low-cost, high reliability, and regional range capabilities, BETA’s products are designed to move goods and people to increase connectivity for rural areas and improve access to healthcare and e-commerce across the U.S. — and beyond.
About Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport
Offering service to more than 20 cities in Canada and the U.S., with connection opportunities to more than 100 international destinations via our airlines’ networks, Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport is an important international gateway. The airport is a key driver to Toronto’s economy, generating more than $2.1 billion in total economic output and supporting 4,450 jobs, including 2,080 directly associated with the airport’s operations. Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport has served its community for more than 85 years from its iconic location on the Toronto waterfront, where it facilitates healthcare for Ontarians by providing a base for medevac services connected to local hospitals. Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport is committed to achieving its vision of cleaner, greener and quieter operations, and is renowned for its unique travel experience, efficiency, and customer service, having won a host of passenger-driven and environmental achievement awards. Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport is owned and operated by PortsToronto. Nieuport Aviation owns and operates the passenger terminal at Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport.
About Stolport
Stolport Corporation is the longest-tenured leaseholder and operational partner at Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport, delivering integrated airside and groundside services with a focus on efficiency, innovation, and service excellence. As a Fixed Base Operator (FBO), Stolport serves as a gateway for general, business, and public interest aviation in the heart of Toronto. Stolport is a dynamic aviation ecosystem where tenant and visiting aircraft provide a range of services including charter flights, aircraft maintenance, flight training, helicopter tourism, traffic and news operations, public interest flights (e.g. public safety, military, medical), and community-based initiatives. Stolport also facilitates seamless multimodal connectivity for passengers, service partners, and other airport users, managing auto-parking and ferry access on and between the mainland and the island. Rooted in aviation history and committed to future-ready, sustainable operations, Stolport plays a critical role in enabling smooth airport functionality while introducing forward-thinking solutions that benefit passengers, pilots, and aviation stakeholders alike.
Featured image credited to Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport/PortsToronto
