| Toronto City Centre Airport: A History |
| 1920's to 1940's | 1950's
- 1970's | 1980's to present |
| The Twenties
Thirties and Forties |
| 1928 |
-
As discussions about the commercial importance of air transportation
and prospects for a trans-Canada air route begin to gather momentum,
there is mounting pressure on politicians to ensure that Toronto
is not left off the air map. Toronto City Council responded on
October 4th by asking the Harbour Commission to prepare a report
that examined the development of Toronto Island's Western Sandbar
as a seaplane, flying boat and amphibious airplane base. The decision
to turn to the Harbour Commission was driven by commercial requirements
that were shaped by the current state of aircraft technology.
|
| 1935 |
-
October 11: construction of tunnel to serve the airport started
at the foot of Stadium Road as a unemployment relief measure.
-
October 29: construction of tunnel and all plans for an airport
on Toronto Islands were abandoned due to Conservatives' loss to
Liberals, which meant a significant shift in government policy,
particularly for Toronto which had once again solidly supported
the Conservatives.
|
| 1937 |
- July 8:City Council announcement of the Island site and the selection
of Malton as an all weather field. The Toronto Harbour Commission
was given the responsibility for the development and operation of
the two airports, for and at the expense of the city. Questions of
engineering associated with airport development were changing rapidly
during this period, and it required considerable amounts of theoretical
knowledge and practical experience to co-ordinate the various branches
of professions that were needed to construct and operate a safe and
modern airfield, particularly one located on reclaimed property.
With involvement in the planning, construction, and management of
two air harbours, the Harbour Commission was in the unrivaled position
of being one of the few organization that possessed these skills.
|
| 1937-1939 |
- Toronto Harbour Commission builds airports for City. The primary
airport is on the Toronto Islands, while the secondary airport is
built in Malton (now Pearson International).
|
| 1938 |
- In order to provide access to the airport, a one time scow is pressed
into service as a cable ferry. It was intended that this ferry operate
for a five year period, however it was maintained for twenty-five
years at which time a tug boat is used for a year before the ferry "Maple
City" was introduced.
|
| 1939 |
- The first plane landed on February 2nd, and was flown by H.F. McLean
from Montreal to Toronto.
- Field has two, 3,000 foot runways.
- Originally opened as Port George VI Airfield in honour of the 1939
Royal Visit. This name has since been ignored.
- Toronto Harbour Commission operates the site as agents for the
City of Toronto, and does so for 23 years.
- Airport used as training base for Royal Norwegian Air Force during
World War II.
- Malton expands rapidly. Urgently needed aircraft industries were
located close to the airport. Training schools moved in under the
British Commonwealth Air Training Plan and passenger services were
extended.
- Federal Government agreed to lease the Malton Airport from the
city for one dollar a year and took over, thus assuming all operational
deficits.
|
| 1943 |
- Royal Norwegian Air Force training station moves to larger quarters
in Gravenhurst (Muskoka Airport), and its base was taken over by
the Royal Canadian Air Force.
|
| 1945 |
- Facility reverted back to civilian airport. Royal Canadian Air
Force cease operating from airport.
- Bob and Tom Wong, both RCAF veterans, move Central Airways to the
Island Airport from Barker Field.
|
