arrivals in style
Private aviation terminals serve incentive travel groups and VIPs who prefer to travel—or meet—under the radar
Where do pro athletes, rock stars and film legends touch down in Toronto? Chances are, at one of the private aviation terminals offering a discreet, VIP welcome mat.
A short few kilometres away from its passenger terminals, Pearson International Airport has a private side that includes several private fixed-based operators, or FBOs, that discreetly take care of high-flying clientele and their aircraft.
Non-descript hangars around the airfields of west Toronto conceal executive lounges, media rooms and VIP amenities, not to mention personalized customs check in.
Downtown too, almost in the shadow of the CN Tower, Porter Airlines operates its own private Porter FBO Terminal next to Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport. The small hangar serves private flights and business travellers, plus Porter’s charter service that will fly a group anywhere inside a 2-1/2-hour flight range.
“We see celebrities, royals and sports teams: yes, of course. But also business people – it can cost less for a corporate charter than to send ten executives first class, and it’s a much more enjoyable experience,” says Christine Condotta, customer service manager for Landmark Aviation, the Pearson-based FBO used by Delta Airlines and Air Miami, official charters for the NBA, MLB and NHL.
Over 20 years working at the FBO located just off Derry Road, Condotta has met countless billionaire business execs, film actors arriving for TIFF and major league superstars; you can guess, but she’s not naming names.
Landmark has also worked with business clients and event organizers who like the cachet of an exclusive location where vast airplane hangars and lounges are available for private events when they’re not in use.
“We’ve had a dinner for 400 for a film company. Car companies use our ramp space for test drive events. We’ve hosted meetings and conferences, and the Canadian Business Aviation Association’s annual trade show,” she says, to name a few.