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Redevelopment of Million Air Toronto facility announced

July 24, 2008, Toronto, Ont. - During a reception at the recent CBAA Trade Show and Conference in Toronto - sponsored jointly by Million Air, Air BP and Million Air Toronto - Derek Sifton made the initial announcement that Million Air Toronto will be growing and redeveloping itself.


July 24, 2008  By Administrator

July 24 2008, Markham, Ont.  – Million Air Toronto is the executive FBO at the Toronto Buttonville Municipal Airport (CYKZ). A long established and respected service provider, they  offer full service ramp and lounge facilities along with Air BP fuels. They have the advantage of being a short and direct commute to the business centre of not only the City of Toronto’s downtown area, but also the established and still growing business regions associated with Markham, Scarborough and other surrounding communities. 
 
Derek Sifton is the President and second generation of his family to be in charge of the Buttonville Airport, Million Air Toronto and Toronto Airways. During a reception at the recent CBAA Trade Show and Conference in Toronto – sponsored jointly by Million Air, Air BP and Million Air Toronto – Sifton made the initial announcement that Million Air Toronto will be growing
and redeveloping itself. The plans announced call for a multi-million dollar, two level renovation and major rebuild of the Million Air Toronto/Toronto Airways terminal facility. Development will start soon and the entire project should be ready for a formal opening by the first of next year. 
 
The new design comes from the recognized and respected Toronto interior designer, Peter Tillman, who is the creative director of Spinning Wheel Design. Past project credits for Peter and his team include the Hockey Hall of Fame, EcoDeck at the CN Tower, TSE Stock Market Place, Columbus Center in Baltimore with Walt Disney Imagineering, Daytona USA for NASCAR and many others. Tillman joined Derek Sifton for the introduction of the new Million Air Toronto.
Together they pointed out how the newly designed facility will incorporate a bright, modern and well lighted corporate passenger lounge – complete with all the now standard Million Air touches and amenities. 
 
The new layout retains the Druxy’s Famous Deli and general reception area, but it will all have a refreshed look and layout. Also the Toronto Airways counter and work area is to be relocated into what are currently the executive offices.
 
In addition, there will be a new pilot lounge and private theatre centre, revised personal care facilities and updated/relocated flight training and lecture rooms. The Prop Shop (pilot supplies and aviation related gift store) will be retained in its current location, however, both the public and air entrance areas will be completely refreshed and updated both externally and internally. 
 
Probably the biggest addition is the second floor. While the space will be for the management and airport operations offices it will add an additional 3,000 square feet overall to the facility as a whole. This change will introduce a great deal of natural light to the public areas. With a view to the environment we live in, as much as possible, all the new construction will incorporate the latest thinking and applications for eco sensitive building design and management. 
 
Derek Sifton observed while speaking about the redevelopment said, “Not all the air routes in Toronto go to YYZ. The rumours of our closing or sale are just that – rumours. We have been here for a long time looking after our clients and plan on sticking around for a few years yet. The rationale for an update at this time is simple. With the growth and evolution of corporate aviation in the GTA, and the increasing demand for less crowded and easier access alternatives to the international airport, we felt it was finally the right time to redo ourselves and create something that exceeds the physical standard of FBOs today.

When this renovation is complete, Million Air Toronto will be a great support site for business aviation in the Greater Toronto Area. Our levels of our service, the direct access we provide to the downtown core and our less congested air traffic pattern have always been a bonus to coming here. We also have lower landing fees and with the rising price of fuel, the pressure to save where you can is making folks look for alternatives. With a shiny new face and improved amenities, we will be offering corporate travelers a genuine and honest alternative. The physical elements will support and encourage our team to build on their customer service excellence and make visits to our site one that not only keeps clients coming back – but makes them tell others about us. That is the measure of having done things right. We look forward seeing old friends here, and making some new ones.” 
 

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