In short. In Toronto, private jets use Toronto Pearson (YYZ); Billy Bishop downtown takes turboprops but not jets, and Buttonville closed in November 2023. In Vancouver, Montreal and Calgary the main international airports handle business jets. A paid charter in Canada must be flown by a Canadian air operator holding a Transport Canada air operator certificate and a Canadian Transportation Agency licence, and a foreign operator cannot sell a flight between two Canadian cities.
Toronto: Pearson for jets, Billy Bishop for turboprops
Toronto Pearson (CYYZ) is the region's jet airport, with dedicated business aviation terminals and customs. Billy Bishop Toronto City (CYTZ) sits on the waterfront minutes from the financial district, but the 1983 Tripartite Agreement bans jets other than medevac, so it suits turboprops such as the Pilatus PC-12 or King Air. Buttonville (CYKZ) permanently closed on 30 November 2023. Toronto to Teterboro (New York) is about 300 nm; in our flight-time estimator that is roughly an hour in a light jet.
Vancouver, Montreal and Calgary
- Vancouver (CYVR): business aviation terminals on the south side of the airport serve West Coast, Asia-Pacific and US traffic. Vancouver to Los Angeles is about 940 nm.
- Montreal (CYUL): Montréal-Trudeau handles business jets with customs; Montreal to Toronto is about 270 nm.
- Calgary (CYYC): the base for much of western Canada's corporate and resource-sector flying, with FBOs and customs on the field.
Who may legally fly you
In Canada a paid passenger flight is a commercial air service. The operator needs a Transport Canada air operator certificate under Part VII of the Canadian Aviation Regulations, and a licence from the Canadian Transportation Agency. Private, non-commercial business flying under Subpart 604 (a private operator) cannot be sold to you. Foreign operators may fly you into or out of Canada with the right authorities, but not between two Canadian cities.
Ask every seller for the legal name of the operating carrier, the aircraft registration and the certificate under which the flight will operate. If a broker is involved, ask what the broker's role is and who holds operational control.
What drives the price
- Aircraft size: charter is priced per aircraft and per flight hour, not per seat.
- Positioning: if the aircraft is based elsewhere, the empty legs to and from you are usually billed.
- Fees and taxes: airport, handling, de-icing in winter, customs and GST or harmonized sales tax where it applies.
- Overnights: crew accommodation and daily minimums on multi-day trips.
To see how ownership compares with charter for the hours you fly, use our ownership cost calculator, and read jet card vs fractional vs ownership.
Our role. AeroSterling does not operate or sell flights and holds no air operator certificate. Through our charter request desk we pass your brief to independent, licensed operators and charter brokers that we vet, and they quote and contract with you directly, naming the operating carrier in writing.
Frequently asked questions
Can a private jet fly into Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport?
Not normally. The 1983 Tripartite Agreement that governs Billy Bishop prohibits jet aircraft other than medevac flights, so private passengers use turboprops there or fly jets from Toronto Pearson.
Who is allowed to operate a paid charter flight inside Canada?
A Canadian air operator with a Transport Canada air operator certificate (AOC) and a Canadian Transportation Agency licence. A foreign operator may not carry paying passengers between two points in Canada (cabotage).
How far ahead should I request a charter from Toronto or Vancouver?
For routine North American trips a few days is usually enough to compare several quotes. Allow more time for peak holiday periods, winter de-icing risk, international legs and large-cabin aircraft.
Is the luxury tax still charged on chartered or purchased aircraft in Canada?
No luxury tax is payable on subject aircraft from 5 November 2025, following Budget 2025 and Bill C-15. Charter is priced per aircraft, with GST or harmonized sales tax where it applies.
General information, not legal, tax or operational advice. Rules, airport procedures and prices change; the operator and your advisers confirm what applies to your trip. Distances are great-circle figures from our airport data; times are indicative.
