Located in North America, Canada is the second-largest country in the world. It is bordered by oceans on three sides: the Antarctic Ocean to the east, the Pacific Ocean to the west and the Arctic Ocean to the north. The country has vast and diverse landscapes and is known for housing majestic mountains, expansive lakes and rivers, rolling plains, and lush forested valleys. Moreover, the far northern part is dominated by the Arctic, with snow, ice, and glaciers defining the landscape.
The breathtaking natural beauty of Canada attracts tourists from across the globe. Therefore, to accommodate the growing travel demand, the country has numerous airports offering state-of-the-art amenities. Here, we will explore some of the best international and domestic airports in Canada.
International Airports in Canada
Canada is home to many major international airports that serve as key gateways for both inbound and outbound air travel to various regions worldwide. These airports are equipped with premium facilities and handle millions of passenger arrivals and departures each year. Let’s take a look at some of the busiest and most important international airports in Canada.
- Vancouver International Airport (YVR), British Columbia
Vancouver International Airport is one of the busiest airports in Canada. It is located on Sea Island in Richmond, British Columbia, about 12 kilometres south of downtown Vancouver. The airport connects Vancouver and the surrounding Lower Mainland region of British Columbia to various cities around the world. Serving both tourism and business travel, Vancouver International Airport is the second-busiest airport in Canada in terms of passenger traffic.
- Address: 3211 Grant McConachie Way, Link Building, L5, Richmond, British Columbia, Canada V7B0A4
- IATA Code: YVR
- ICOA Code: CYVR
- Terminals: The airport has two terminals —
- Main Terminal with domestic and international concourses
- South Terminal for small aircraft flying to nearby destinations
- Available services and amenities: Currency exchange, medical services, pharmacy, restaurants and cafes, lost and found services, duty-free shopping, lounges, free Wi-Fi, car rental services, and more.
- Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ), Ontario
Toronto Pearson International Airport is the busiest and largest airport in Canada, serving the city of Toronto and the surrounding Greater Toronto Area (GTA). As one of the key international airports in the country, Pearson connects Canada to over 50 countries and 180 destinations. It boasts world-class amenities and accommodates millions of passengers every year.
- Address: 6301 Silver Dart Dr, Mississauga, ON L5P 1B2, Canada
- IATA Code: YYZ
- ICOA Code: CYYZ
- Terminals: The airport has 2 main terminals and 5 runways
- Available services and amenities: International currency exchange, lost and found services, duty-free shopping, free Wi-Fi, multiple charging stations for electronic devices, lounges, drugstore, art gallery, car rental services, and more,
- Halifax Stanfield International Airport (YHZ), Nova Scotia
Halifax Stanfield International Airport is a key airport serving Halifax and Atlantic Canada region. It is one of the busiest airports in the province, with direct flights to several domestic and international destinations, including the United States and Europe. The airport is located about 35 kilometres from downtown Halifax.
- Address: 747 Bell Boulevard, Suite 1610, Goffs, Nova Scotia, Canada, B2T 1K2
- IATA Code: YHZ
- ICOA Code: CYHZ
- Terminals: The airport has 1 terminal for both domestic and international flights.
- Available services and amenities: Visitor information centre, nursing room, dining, shopping, free Wi-Fi, lost and found, library, worship centre, car rental services, and more.
- Montreal-Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport (YUL), Quebec
Montreal-Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport is a major airport serving Montreal, the second-largest city in Canada. It is the third-busiest airport in the country, with flights to destinations across the United States, Canada, Europe, Asia and other regions. The airport is located approximately 20 km from downtown Montreal.
- Address: 975, Boulevard Romeo-Vachon Nord, Dorval, QC H4Y 1H1, Canada
- IATA Code: YUL
- ICOA Code: CYUL
- Terminals: The airport has a two-storied terminal divided into four different zones – the public area for departures and arrivals, the international jetty, the domestic jetty, and the transborder jetty.
- Available services and amenities: Currency exchange, ATMs, lounges, restaurants and cafeterias, lost and found services, nursing room, art galleries, retail outlets, duty-free shopping, boutiques, prayer area, and more.
- Ottawa Macdonald-Carter International Airport (YOW), Ontario
Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier International Airport is located approximately 10 kilometres south of downtown Ottawa. It serves Ottawa and the surrounding region, providing both domestic and international connectivity. While smaller compared to airports like Vancouver International and Toronto Pearson, Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier Airport offers state-of-the-art services, ensuring convenience for all travellers.
- Address: 1000 Airport Parkway Private, Suite 2500, Ottawa ONT, K1V9B4
- IATA Code: YOW
- ICOA Code: CYOW
- Terminals: The airport has one terminal for both domestic and international flights.
- Available services and amenities: International Currency Exchange, duty-free shopping, restaurants, lounges, convenience stores, nursing room, free Wi-Fi, charging stations, baggage services, pet services, and more.
Domestic Airports in Canada
The following are some important domestic airports in Canada —
- Montreal Saint-Hubert Airport (YHU), Quebec
Montreal Saint-Hubert Airport is located in Saint-Hubert, approximately 15 km southeast of downtown Montreal, Quebec. It is the second-largest airport in the Montreal metropolitan area and one of the busiest in terms of aircraft operations. The airport primarily serves as a hub for private aircraft, charter flights, and general aviation. Montreal Saint-Hubert is also an important airport for flight training in Quebec.
- Address: 5700 Rte de I’Aeroport, Longueuil, QC J3Y 8Y9, Canada
- IATA Code: YHU
- ICOA Code: CYHU
- Terminals: The airport has a single terminal building.
- Available services and amenities: ATMs, currency exchange, restaurants, vending machines, lost and found, free Wi-Fi, and more.
- Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport (YTZ), Ontario
Located on the Toronto Islands, Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport is a popular choice among travellers flying in and out of the city. It is also known as Toronto Island Airport or Toronto City Centre Airport. The airport is just a few kilometres from Canada’s downtown core, making it one of the most convenient options for domestic travellers. Although small, its ease of access makes Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport one of the busiest airports in the country.
- Address: 2 Eireann Quay, Toronto, ON M5V 1A1, Canada
- IATA Code: YTZ
- ICOA Code: CYTZ
- Terminals: The airport has only one terminal.
- Available services and amenities: Currency exchange, free Wi-Fi, cafes, snack bars, lounges, duty-free shopping, lost and found, retail stores, workstations, and more.
- Kamloops Airport (YKA), British Columbia
Also known as Fulton Field or John Moose Fulton Airfield, Kamloops Airport is an important regional airport for business and tourism. It is located about 9 kilometres away from the city, in the Thompson region. The airport connects Kamloops with Vancouver, Calgary, Kelowna, and other regional destinations in Canada.
- Address: 3035 Airport Rd Unit 101, Kamloops, BC V2B 7X1, Canada
- IATA Code: YKA
- ICOA Code: CYKA
- Terminals: The airport has one terminal for all passenger flights.
- Available services and amenities: ATMs, free Wi-Fi, lost and found, lounges, café or snack bar, retail outlets, wheelchairs, electric vehicle charging stations, pet relief area, and more.
- Churchill Airport (YYQ), Manitoba
Churchill Airport is located in Churchill, Manitoba, approximately 5.6 kilometres from downtown Churchill. While the airport primarily handles domestic flights, it also accommodates numerous cargo flights transporting goods to the region.
- Address: Airport Road, Churchill, MB R0B 0E0, Canada
- IATA Code: YYQ
- ICOA Code: CYYQ
- Terminals: The airport has only one terminal for passenger flights and freight operations.
- Available services and amenities: Vending machine, Wi-Fi, snack kiosks, free parking and more.
Conclusion
To sum up, Canada boasts a network of over 500 airports, facilitating both domestic and international flights. While the major airports are well-equipped with important amenities for a comfortable experience, the smaller ones play a crucial role in connecting remote locations to cities within the country and abroad. Together, these airports in Canada ensure a seamless travel experience for business and leisure travellers. Before planning your itinerary, remember to secure your trip with travel insurance to remain prepared for unforeseen travel-related circumstances and complete peace of mind.
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