Toronto’s Billy Bishop Airport reopens after suspicious package found

Billy Bishop Airport is set to reopen at 6.45am on Sunday after a suspicious package attached to a bicycle was found late Saturday afternoon at the island’s airport ferry terminal.

The discovery, which took place shortly before 4 p.m., prompted the evacuation of three condominium buildings at 34 Little Norway, 681 Queens Quay and 650 Queens Quay (partial evacuation). The exact number of displaced residents remains unknown.

The island’s ferry terminal and airport were also evacuated.

Additionally, operations at Billy Bishop were suspended for several hours, with outbound and inbound flights being canceled or diverted.

A number of roads in and around the airport were also off-limits during the police investigation.

In a tweet posted shortly before midnight, the island’s airport said the aircraft had been disarmed and Toronto police had concluded their investigation.

« The runway has reopened and operations/flights will resume at YTZ at 6:45 a.m., » Billy Bishop Airport wrote, and advised travelers to check with their airline as some flights may be affected by the closure.

October 22: The device was disarmed and Toronto Police Services concluded their investigation and released the site. The runway has reopened and operations/flights will resume at YTZ at 6:45 a.m.

— Billy Bishop Airport (@BBishopAirport) October 23, 2022

Late last night PortsToronto confirmed the bike had been removed from the area and would be closely inspected offsite.

Before 11 p.m. Saturday, police tweeted that a controlled explosion was underway in the area and residents could hear a « loud bang ».

Residents were allowed to return home shortly after midnight. Roads closed due to the unrest reopened in the area at the time, police said.

POLICE INVESTIGATION: UPDATE
Billy Bishop Airport Ferry Terminal
– The police carried out a controlled detonation
– The area is now secure
– Residents can go home
– Roads are now open
– Thank you for your patience
^ lbs.

— Toronto Police Operations (@TPSOperations) October 23, 2022

Toronto police said the two persons of interest in custody are cooperating with the investigation.

With files by Bryann Aguilar.

More soon.