Nieuport Aviation has opened a new walkthrough duty-free store at Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport, developed in partnership with Dufry, a division of Avolta. The renovated space features an expanded footprint, a refreshed design, and a broader product assortment that includes Canadian-made goods, premium spirits, and travel essentials. The store sits directly at the entrance of the Transborder Lounge, giving passengers flying to the United States a chance to browse and shop before they board.
A retail upgrade for a growing airport
Billy Bishop Airport, located on an island just off downtown Toronto, has seen steady growth in transborder traffic in recent years. The new duty-free shop is meant to keep up with that demand while improving the overall passenger experience. Katie Battiston, chief financial officer of Nieuport Aviation, said the walkthrough format represents “a meaningful investment” in how travelers move through the terminal.
“We want our passengers to have an exceptional experience travelling through YTZ – and to take a little piece of Toronto with them through thoughtfully curated products,” Battiston said in a statement. She added that the partnership with Dufry allows the airport to expand its retail offerings while keeping the journey from check-in to departure quick and integrated.
The store’s location inside the Transborder Lounge means passengers don’t have to go out of their way to shop. It’s designed to be a natural part of the flow toward the gates. Retail analysts have noted that walkthrough duty-free stores are becoming more common at smaller airports that want to maximize limited space without adding extra steps for travelers.
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Reserve & Collect and member savings
Shoppers can also use Dufry’s Reserve & Collect program, which lets them order online ahead of time, save 20% as Club Avolta members, and pick up their purchases at the airport before departure. The digital-forward feature aims to reduce time spent in line and give travelers more control over their shopping.
Kate Herzig, executive vice president for duty free North America and Canada retail operations at Avolta, described the store as an example of how “thoughtful retail design can enhance the journey while meeting the evolving needs of travellers.” She pointed to the integration with the lounge, the expanded assortment of Canadian products, and the Reserve & Collect option as elements that make the experience more connected and convenient.
To mark the opening, Nieuport and Dufry hosted a launch event in the Transborder Lounge on May 21. The event included a ribbon-cutting ceremony, product sampling, and a chance for passengers to walk through the new space. No financial details about the investment or sales projections were released.
What this means for passengers
For travelers flying out of Billy Bishop, the main change is that duty-free shopping is now more visible and easier to access. The old store was smaller and located in a different part of the terminal. The new walkthrough layout means passengers pass through the retail area on their way to the gates — a layout common at larger airports but relatively new for YTZ.
Canadian-made products are a notable addition. The store stocks items from local brands alongside global labels, giving passengers a chance to buy something that feels distinctly Torontonian before they leave. That’s a shift from the typical duty-free mix of liquor, perfume, and cigarettes.
Billy Bishop Airport is operated by Nieuport Aviation under a long-term lease from the Toronto Port Authority. The airport primarily serves regional and transborder routes with Porter Airlines and Air Canada. It’s known for its short check-in times and proximity to downtown, but has limited space compared to Toronto Pearson International Airport.
The new duty-free store is one of several recent upgrades at the terminal. Nieuport has also renovated the lounge area and added more seating. Whether the retail changes will boost passenger spending or just make the wait more pleasant is not clear, but the company is betting that a better shopping experience will help differentiate the airport. Travelers looking for similar curated retail experiences might be interested in William Grant invites travellers to explore unique brand activations.