Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport celebrates National Airport Workers Day
(L-R) Warren Askew, Vice President, Airport, PortsToronto; Hardeep Singh Grewal, Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Transportation; RJ Steenstra, President and CEO, PortsToronto; Zaina Alhillou, Billy Bishop Airport employee and recipient of the 2025 "Airport Innovator" Award from the Canadian Airports Council; Jennifer Quinn, CEO, Nieuport Aviation; and Eve Wiggins, Chief Operating Officer, Nieuport Aviation. Photo credit: Jude Lazaro, DCAM Productions
Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport joined airports across the country in celebrating National Airport Workers Day, an initiative of the Canadian Airports Council that recognizes the vital contributions of airport workers in keeping Canada connected and moving.
More than 2,000 dedicated individuals work at Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport, and their efforts were honored during a special ceremony held in the airport’s passenger terminal. The event brought together employees, partners, and leadership from PortsToronto and Nieuport Aviation to express appreciation for the people who ensure the airport operates safely, efficiently, and with care every day.
As part of the celebration, Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport was thrilled to recognize Zaina Alhillou, who received the National Airport Workers Day Award for “Airport Innovator” from the Canadian Airports Council. Alhillou, who has worked at the airport for six years with terminal partner Nieuport Aviation, has played an instrumental role in shaping the airport’s future through her leadership on transformative projects.
The celebrations included cookies from local bakery Craig's Cookies; prizes for employees; and live music from local performer Olivia B as part of Billy Bishop's Music on the Fly program. Photo credit: Jude Lazaro, DCAM Productions
From overseeing the $50-million terminal upgrade completed in 2018 to leading the development of the airport’s forthcoming U.S. Customs and Border Protection Preclearance facility, Alhillou has consistently demonstrated innovation, strategic vision, and a commitment to enhancing the passenger experience. Her work exemplifies the spirit of the Airport Innovator award, which celebrates forward-thinkers who drive meaningful change in the aviation sector.
“Operating an airport welcoming more than two million passengers a year is complex,” says RJ Steenstra, President and CEO, PortsToronto. “Every day, airport workers at Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport handle a vast range of responsibilities, mostly behind the scenes. The care our airport employees take in coordinating operations, ensuring safety and providing an excellent passenger experience to the highest standards possible is outstanding. Our team truly cares about making this airport among the best in the world and today we recognize this commitment.”
“Thank you to everyone at Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport, and at airports across Canada, for their dedication and passion,” says Jennifer Quinn, CEO of Nieuport Aviation. “The award-winning passenger experience that travelers have come to expect from YTZ is a direct result of the hard work and commitment the entire team brings to the airport day in and day out. I’d also like to congratulate Zaina for being recognized with an Airport Innovator award. We are incredibly proud to see her recognized for the impact she’s made.”
National Airport Workers Day serves as a reminder of the scale and impact of Canada’s aviation sector. In 2025, more than 150 million passengers are expected to travel through Canadian airports, supported by over 200,000 direct airport jobs. Today’s celebration is a tribute to the people who make that possible.
