Owais Crawford
Calgary International Airport (YYC) is one of Canada's busiest airports, covering an area of 20.82 square kilometres (8.04 sq mi; 5,144 acres; 2,082 ha). With 18.9 million passengers in 2024 and 202,497 aircraft movements in 2023, it is the fourth busiest airport in Canada by passenger traffic and aircraft movements. The airport has 71 gates, three runways, and two terminal buildings with six concourses for passengers. The Calgary Airport Authority operates the property and pays rent to the federal government. The airport is currently undergoing an expansion that will double the size of its existing facility, adding nearly two million square feet and 22 new aircraft gates.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Airport Name | Calgary International Airport |
| IATA | YYC |
| ICAO | CYYC |
| Location | 17 kilometres (11 mi) northeast of downtown Calgary |
| Area Covered | 20.82 square kilometres (8.04 sq mi; 5,144 acres; 2,082 ha) |
| Number of Terminals | 2 |
| Number of Concourses | 6 |
| Number of Gates | 71 minimum |
| Number of Runways | 4 |
| Length of Runway 08/26 | 6,200 ft × 150 ft (1,890 m × 46 m) |
| Length of Runway 11/29 | 8,000 ft × 200 ft (2,438 m × 61 m) |
| Length of Runway 17R/35L | 12,675 ft × 200 ft (3,863 m × 61 m) |
| Length of Runway 17L/35R | 14,000 ft × 200 ft (4,267 m × 61 m) |
| Number of Passengers (2024) | 18.9 million |
| Number of Aircraft Movements (2023) | 202,497 |
| Number of Passengers (2023) | 18.5 million |
| Number of Aircraft Movements (2021) | 124,108 |
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What You'll Learn
Calgary International Airport's location and size
Calgary International Airport (IATA: YYC, ICAO: CYYC) is located in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. The airport is situated approximately 17 kilometres (11 miles) northeast of downtown Calgary. The site was purchased by the city in 1938 and construction began in the late 1930s. The airport has since expanded to cover an area of 20.82 square kilometres (8.04 square miles; 5,144 acres; 2,082 hectares).
Calgary International Airport is conveniently accessible from the Deerfoot Trail and Stoney Trail freeways, providing easy connections to the city and surrounding areas. Additionally, the airport is served by public transportation, with bus services operated by Calgary Transit linking the airport to downtown and other parts of the city.
The airport features two terminals, one dedicated to domestic flights and the other to international flights. The domestic terminal includes three concourses labelled A, B, and C, accommodating various airlines. The international terminal operates with a call-to-gate system, where passengers wait in a central seating and shopping area before proceeding to the gate when their flight information is posted.
Calgary International Airport is well-equipped with four runways, the longest of which is runway 17L/35R, spanning 14,000 feet (4,267 metres) in length. This runway was constructed as part of the Parallel Runway Project, a significant infrastructure development with a $620 million investment. The project also included the construction of a 620-metre (2,030-foot) tunnel beneath the runway, enhancing connectivity within the airport and to the wider freeway system.
The airport is a bustling hub, serving as a primary base for WestJet and its subsidiary WestJet Encore, as well as a key focus city for Air Canada and Global Air Cargo. With a high volume of passenger traffic, cargo landings, and aircraft movements, Calgary International Airport is recognised as the busiest airport in Alberta and consistently ranks among the top busiest airports in Canada.
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The airport's history
The first airport to serve Calgary opened in 1914 in the neighbourhood of Bowness. It occupied one square kilometre of land and consisted of a hut and a grass runway. In 1928, operations shifted to a new airport southwest of the city, named Old Banff Coach Road Airport. However, issues with turbulence in this area meant that another airfield was built the following year in the neighbourhood of Renfrew, known as the Calgary Municipal Airport or Stanley Jones Airport. The Renfew Air Service constructed the Rutledge Hangar at the Renfrew site in 1929, but this service folded in 1931 as a result of the Great Depression.
The new Calgary airfield was named McCall Field after First World War ace Fred McCall. In 1940, as a result of Canada entering the Second World War, the federal government assumed control of McCall Field, repurposing it as a fuel and maintenance stop for aircraft involved in the war effort. After the war, the airport was expanded to include additional hangars, four runways, and other infrastructure. The City of Calgary resumed management of the airfield in 1946 and repurposed one of the hangars as a passenger terminal.
As the City of Calgary continued to grow, the municipal government decided to relocate the airport once again. In 1938, the city purchased an area of land north of Calgary, which remains the site of the current airport. The federal Department of Transportation financed the construction of three runways and other improvements.
In 1956, a new passenger terminal was constructed at the airport, designed by architecture student Ken Bond. The terminal featured an open public concourse and ticketing offices for three airlines. In 1977, a new $130 million terminal was opened, which remains the core of Calgary International Airport's domestic terminal today.
In 1992, Calgary International Airport opened a new air traffic control tower, and the airport authority was formed to manage, operate, and develop the airport under a long-term lease from the federal government. Today, the airport covers an area of 20.82 square kilometres and is the busiest airport in Alberta and the fourth busiest in Canada by passenger traffic.
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$19.9
Airlines and terminals
Calgary International Airport (IATA: YYC, ICAO: CYYC) is located in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. It is the fourth-busiest airport in Canada by passenger traffic and aircraft movements, with 18.5 million passengers in 2023 and 124,108 aircraft movements in the same year.
The airport has two terminal buildings with six concourses for passengers (Gates A1-6, A12-24, B31-40, C50-65, D70-79 and E80-97). The Domestic Terminal, which first opened in 1977, has four concourses: Concourses A1, A2, B, and C. The ground level of the terminal serves as the arrivals area, with baggage claim and transportation facilities. The second level is for departures and includes check-in, security, and access to departure gates. The basement level contains utilities and tenant storage, while the mezzanine level has a food court, airline offices, and the airport authority offices.
The Domestic Terminal caters to domestic airlines such as Air Canada, WestJet (which uses Calgary as its primary hub), and their subsidiaries, as well as Flair Airlines, Air North, Air Transat, and Porter Airlines.
The second terminal is for United States and international flights.
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Runway construction
The Calgary International Airport (YYC) needed to expand its runway infrastructure to accommodate a 30% increase in air traffic. The airport's location at a high altitude meant that the air density was lower, requiring longer runways for aircraft to achieve the necessary lift for takeoff and landing. To meet these challenges, a new runway over four kilometres long was planned—the longest in Canada.
The construction of this runway, designated 17L/35R, began in April 2011 as part of the Calgary Airport Authority's Parallel Runway Project. The project cost $620 million ($778 million including inflation) and aimed to increase the airport's capacity and improve operations. The runway was completed on June 28, 2014, and, with a length of 14,000 feet (4,270 metres), it became the longest runway in Canada.
The construction process was a complex endeavour, requiring the coordination of hundreds of trucks and pieces of equipment. A temporary and mobile road network was built and constantly relocated to minimise operational disruptions. The project also involved moving 8.5 million cubic metres of earth, distributing 400,000 cubic metres of slipform concrete, and placing 650,000 cubic metres of gravel.
Additionally, a service team was responsible for site water management, signage, and delineation of work areas across the runway and interconnecting taxiways and laneways. During construction, LED airfield lighting was introduced, marking the first use of energy-efficient LED lights for a Category IIIa runway in North America. The new runway accommodates the largest Code F aircraft and the most demanding Category IIIa runway landing system, ensuring uninterrupted aircraft operations even at low visibility down to 200 metres.
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Amenities and services
Calgary International Airport (YYC) is one of Canada's busiest airports, serving the city of Calgary, Alberta. It is located approximately 17 kilometres (11 mi) northeast of downtown Calgary and covers an area of 20.82 square kilometres (8.04 sq mi). With 18.9 million passengers in 2024, it is the fourth-busiest airport in Canada by passenger traffic.
Calgary International Airport offers a wide range of amenities and services for travellers:
Customer Care Ambassadors: The airport has a team of Customer Care Ambassadors who provide assistance and ensure a positive experience for travellers. They are fluent in multiple languages, including English, French, Tagalog, Cantonese, Mandarin, and Ukrainian. They can help with wayfinding, problem-solving, and customs processes.
Shopping: YYC boasts an extensive shopping experience with over 120 shops located in both pre-security and post-security areas. These include Artizan, Bentley, Bloomsbury's, Canadian Jewelry, Hudson News, Purdy's Chocolates, Relay, Skyway Liquor, and The Sweet Factory. Duty-free shopping is also available, offering savings on a range of products like handbags, sunglasses, jewellery, and tobacco goods.
Dining: There are numerous dining options available throughout the airport, in both pre-security and post-security areas. Some of the restaurants and eateries include Chachi's Deli, Chili's, Harvey's, Starbucks, Subway, Tim Hortons, and Wings Lounge.
Lounges: The airport features several airline lounges where passengers can relax and enjoy pleasant views while waiting for their flights. These include Air Canada's Maple Leaf Lounge in Concourse A, the Rocky Mountain Lounge in Concourse C, and the Servisair Chinook Lounge in Concourse D.
Business Services: Business travellers can take advantage of the business facilities available within the Air Canada airline lounges and the Visitor Reception Centre, which can be hired for conferences, presentations, and business gatherings. The Delta Hotel, linked to the airport by a covered walkway, also offers an assortment of business services.
Accessibility: YYC is fully accessible for travellers with mobility issues and disabilities. It provides telephones for the hearing-impaired, wheelchair access, adapted restrooms, curbside assistance, porters, and elevators.
Ground Transportation: The airport offers a variety of ground transportation options, including taxis, shuttle buses, ride-sharing services, and public transit. It also has a Cell Phone waiting lot where your ride can wait for free and then proceed to the designated pick-up zones.
Other Amenities: Other amenities at YYC include luggage storage, a chapel, travel insurance, a children's play area, and an entertainment centre called SpacePort, featuring a scale model of the Space Shuttle Orbiter on loan from NASA. The airport also has a virtual queuing platform, YYC Express, allowing travellers to book their spot at security up to 72 hours in advance to avoid long wait times.
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Frequently asked questions
The Calgary International Airport covers an area of 20.82 square kilometres or 5,144 acres.
The airport is one of the busiest in Canada, with 18.9 million passengers in 2024 and 202,497 aircraft movements in 2023. It is ranked fourth busiest in the country.
The airport has three runways, including the 14,000 feet (4,300 m) runway 17L/35R, which is the longest runway in Canada.
The first airport serving Calgary opened in 1914 in the neighbourhood of Bowness. The current airport was built in the late 1930s and has expanded over time. It is managed by the Calgary Airport Authority, which was formed in 1992 under the National Airports Policy.
The airport is undergoing an International Terminal Expansion, which will double the size of its existing facility, adding nearly two million square feet and 22 new aircraft gates.
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