PortsToronto opens noise-mitigating GRE at Canada’s Billy Bishop Airport

TIN news:  A new ground run-up enclosure (GRE) has officially opened at Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport in Ontario, Canada.

Opened by PortsToronto, the 14m-high GRE is a three-sided, open-top facility designed to accommodate commercial aircraft at the airport, as well as reduce noise from high-power aircraft engine ground run-up operations.

The 63m x 66m enclosure is located on the southwest side of the airfield in Billy Bishop Airport and is the second-of-its-kind in Canada.

Billy Bishop Airport owner and operator Geoffrey Wilson said: “From the creation of new infrastructure to working together with the community and our airport partners on the implementation of policies, the noise mitigation programme at Billy Bishop Airport is an essential component of airport operations.

“We are thrilled to officially open the GRE at Billy Bishop Airport which further demonstrates our commitment to minimising the impact of our airport’s noise on the surrounding community and raises the bar even higher on our innovative, award-winning noise mitigation programme.”  

Built by Blast Deflectors, the acoustic and aerodynamic features of the GRE facility will help reduce the impact of ground engine run-ups that are mandated by Transport Canada after conducting engine maintenance in order to ensure safety.

The $9m facility is capable of absorbing noise with specialised acoustic panels that line the interior of the three walls with vents for optimal aerodynamic performance.

The GRE is a part of the Billy Bishop Airport Airfield Project, a three-year rehabilitation initiative that aims to upgrade the airport while ensuring its continuous service as an economic engine for the city.

The project will also enable the airport to effectively handle 2.7 million passengers travelling to and from its gates each year.