Quebec City Airport: A Compact Hub For Travelers

Québec City Jean Lesage International Airport, also known as YQB International Airport, is located 11 kilometres (6 nautical miles) west-southwest of Quebec City, Canada. The airport has undergone multiple expansion projects since 2006, including the restructuring of the baggage handling area, arrivals area, and waiting rooms, as well as the construction of new runways, taxiways, and de-icing pads. As of 2023, the airport has a capacity of 1.4 million passengers annually and is the second-largest airport in the province of Quebec. It is served by 11 airlines, offering flights across North America and select cities in Europe.

Terminal and gate capacity

Quebec City Jean Lesage International Airport, also known as Jean Lesage International Airport, is located in Quebec City, Canada. It is the second-busiest airport in Quebec, serving as a hub for airlines such as Air Canada, WestJet, and Air Inuit. The airport has undergone several expansion projects over the years to accommodate growing passenger numbers.

The airport has a single terminal building with two levels. The terminal is divided into domestic and international sections, with the former located on the lower level and the latter on the upper level. The terminal building features various amenities and services, including car rental kiosks, check-in areas, customs, baggage carousels, security checkpoints, and departure and arrival halls.

In terms of gate capacity, the airport has a total of 30 gates, with 16 gates in the domestic section and 14 in the international section. These gates are spread across the two levels of the terminal, with gates 20–37 located on the upper level. The airport also has taxiways, including Alpha, Bravo, Charlie, Delta, Echo, Golf, and Hotel, which connect the main apron to the runways and accommodate different types of aircraft.

The airport's capacity has been expanded through modernisation and expansion projects. In 2006, a new terminal building was opened, increasing the airport's capacity to 1.4 million passengers per year. Further investments are being planned to expand the terminal building further to accommodate growing passenger numbers. The airport also offers priority services for premium ticket holders or elite status holders, including priority check-in, security, boarding, baggage handling, and lounge access.

Runway and taxiway access

There are seven taxiways at the airport: Alpha, Bravo, Charlie, Delta, Echo, Golf, and Hotel. Taxiway Alpha connects the main apron with runway 24, while Bravo connects the main apron with runway 29. Delta runs parallel to runway 06/24, and Golf links Delta to the threshold of runway 06. Echo connects the main apron with runway 24, and Hotel is situated between Golf and runway 11/29.

The airport aprons can accommodate a range of aircraft sizes, from light to large, including wide-body jet airliners such as the Boeing 747-400. The airport has a total of 30 gates, with 16 gates dedicated to domestic flights and 14 gates for international flights.

In addition to its runway and taxiway infrastructure, Quebec City Jean Lesage International Airport offers a range of services and facilities for passengers. These include dining options such as Tim Hortons, Starbucks, Resto-Bar Altitude, and Le Bistrot, as well as shopping options like the Relay store, Aelia Duty-Free, and Hudson's Bay Duty-Free. The airport also provides priority services for premium ticket holders or elite status members, such as priority check-in, security, boarding, and baggage handling.

Passenger numbers

Québec City Jean Lesage International Airport, also known as YQB Airport, is located 11 kilometres (6 nautical miles) west-southwest of Quebec City. It is the primary airport serving Quebec City and was the 12th busiest airport in Canada in 2023, with 1,688,736 passengers.

The airport has seen several expansion and modernisation projects over the years to increase its capacity and enhance passenger services. In 2006, a modernisation project was undertaken with a budget of $65.8 million, which included reconfiguring the terminal on two levels, restructuring the baggage handling and arrivals areas, and enlarging the waiting rooms. This expansion increased the terminal's capacity to 1.4 million passengers annually.

Further investments of nearly $300 million have been planned to expand the terminal building further. The number of gates will increase from 17 to 24 by 2025. The second phase of the airport expansion, which lasted from 2011 to 2017, saw the terminal building double in size at a cost of $224.8 million. This phase included expanding international facilities, constructing runways, taxiways, and de-icing pads, and improving customer service facilities.

The airport offers a range of services and facilities for passengers, including a departure lounge, the VIP Lounge by Club Med, which is accessible to both domestic and international travellers. The airport also has a variety of dining and shopping options, including restaurants, cafes, and duty-free shops. Additionally, Quebec City International Airport provides easy access to and from the city centre, with bus routes, taxis, and ridesharing services available.

Transport links

Quebec City Jean Lesage International Airport (YQB) is located around 15 km from Quebec City's downtown area. It is easy to reach by public transit and taxi. The airport can be accessed via two public bus routes: Route 76 and Route 80. Route 76 of the Réseau de transport de la Capitale (RTC) connects the airport to the bus and train stations in Sainte-Foy and the heart of Sainte-Foy in less than 30 minutes. It runs from 5:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. every 60 minutes, 7 days a week, and every 30 minutes during peak hours. Route 76 also connects to downtown Quebec City and Old Quebec. Route 80, also offered by RTC, serves the airport from and to the city centre via the Les Saules terminus. It offers connections to high-frequency routes 800 and 801, leading to downtown Quebec City.

The taxi fare between Jean Lesage International Airport and the city centre is a flat rate of $41.40. Taxis in Quebec City can be identified by the sign on their roofs, and they accept cash, credit cards, and debit cards. Quebec City's two train stations are the Gare du Palais in Old Quebec and the Gare de Sainte-Foy, a five-minute taxi ride from hotels in the Boulevard Laurier and Avenue des Hôtels areas.

In addition to the above, the airport is committed to strengthening its position and achieving growth and success. For instance, it was the first airport in Canada to trial the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority's (CATSA) new customised screening line, which allows multiple passengers to place their belongings in screening bins simultaneously. Moreover, the airport is bilingual, with signage in both French and English, and it offers a variety of lounges for travellers, including the VIP Lounge by Club Med.

Airport amenities

Quebec City Jean Lesage International Airport (YQB) is located 30 minutes north of Quebec City and is the second-largest airport in the province of Quebec. The airport offers modern facilities and amenities to ensure a comfortable travel experience.

Quebec City Jean Lesage International Airport has one terminal, divided into two levels. Level 1 is home to car rental kiosks, the check-in area, customs, and baggage carousels for both international and domestic flights. Level 2 houses airport security, the main departures and arrivals hall, and gates 20–37. The airport has 17 gates: 12 contact gates and five walk-out aircraft positions, with plans to increase to 24 gates by 2025.

The airport offers a variety of dining options, including restaurants, cafes, grab-and-go food outlets, and bars serving various cuisines. Additionally, passengers can explore the shopping options, such as souvenirs or duty-free items.

For those looking to relax before their flight, there is one departure lounge, the VIP Lounge by Club Med, located near Gate 29. This lounge is open daily from 4 am to 6:30 pm and is accessible to domestic and international travellers who purchase a day pass or have eligible lounge access. The airport also provides free Wi-Fi throughout, allowing passengers to stay connected during their time in the terminal.

Quebec City Jean Lesage International Airport is also known for its excellent private jet services, offering top-notch catering, secure ramps with airside vehicle access, and convenient charter flight options with short notice.

The airport has undergone modernisation and expansion projects to enhance passenger service and increase capacity. These improvements included reconfiguring the terminal, restructuring the baggage and arrivals areas, and enlarging the waiting rooms. With these developments, the airport can now handle 1.4 million passengers annually.

Frequently asked questions