Toronto City Airport has awarded Alstef Group a contract to upgrade its baggage handling system. The upgrade supports the airport’s initiative to integrate U.S. Customs and Border Protection (U.S. CBP) preclearance processing.
The federal government is investing $30 million for the construction of a U.S. customs preclearance facility, which once constructed will provide travellers with the opportunity to clear customs in Toronto instead of upon landing at U.S. airports, thereby allowing the airport to offer more U.S. destinations. It will also enable Canadians to travel to U.S. airports that do not have U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
The scope of the project includes the provision of new conveyors and modifications to existing conveyors to facilitate the addition of U.S. CBP preclearance processing. Key components of the upgrade to the outbound conveyor system include a new transfer line, sortation conveyors, a manual encode station, an inline screening system, a bag recall vertical lift and a make-up carousel – all dedicated to U.S. CBP bags. In addition to the conveyor upgrades, Alstef Group will install and commission the Baggage Imaging and Weight Identification System (BIWIS) to support U.S. CBP officers. The BIWIS installation includes inline, oversize and transfer BIWIS stations, U.S. CBP supervisor stations, a bag recall and bag accept and a walk-through station, and includes all associated scanners and monitors.
“We are thrilled to be selected by Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport for this important project,” said Steven Tanguy, Managing Director, Alstef Canada. “Our experience and expertise will ensure a seamless integration of U.S. CBP preclearance processing, enhancing the overall efficiency and security of the airport operations.”
The project is expected to be completed by late-2025, with minimal disruption to airport operations.
