Toronto Aerodrome

Urban development and economic reasons. The land occupied by the airfield was sold by its owner, de Havilland Canada, for the development of the Yorkdale Shopping Centre. The value of the land for commercial real estate in Toronto's rapidly expanding suburbs surpassed its value as an airfield.

The site is now entirely occupied by the Yorkdale Shopping Centre, one of Canada's most prominent and successful shopping malls, along with its extensive parking lots and structures. The coordinates 43.748889, -79.460833 place you directly on the mall's property, specifically over its western section and parking areas.

The site, identified by the coordinates and the generic database name 'Toronto Aerodrome', was the original airfield for the de Havilland Canada aircraft manufacturing plant. This location is historically significant as the birthplace and flight test area for some of the world's most iconic STOL (Short Take-Off and Landing) aircraft. Operations included the first flights, test flights, and delivery flights for legendary planes such as the DHC-1 Chipmunk, DHC-2 Beaver, DHC-3 Otter, and the DHC-4 Caribou. These aircraft were instrumental in opening up the Canadian North and saw extensive service globally. The airfield was a critical component of Canada's post-WWII aviation manufacturing industry before operations were consolidated at the adjacent Downsview Airport (CYZD).

There are zero prospects for reopening. The site is now a high-density, high-value commercial zone. Reverting it to an airfield is physically, logistically, and economically impossible. Furthermore, the nearby Downsview Airport (CYZD), which continued the area's aviation legacy for decades, has also ceased flight operations and is being redeveloped into a large-scale residential and commercial community, marking the definitive end of aviation at this historic Toronto location.