Ruth Haines
Canada is a vast country with a dispersed population, and air transportation is essential for connecting its remote communities. There are 518 airports in Canada, 13 of which are designated as international airports by Transport Canada. Toronto Pearson International Airport is the largest and busiest airport in the country, located about 20 kilometres west of Toronto in Mississauga, Ontario. It has two passenger terminals and five runways, and serves as a hub for major Canadian airlines such as Air Canada and WestJet. Other notable airports in Canada include Ottawa McDonald-Cartier International Airport, Calgary International Airport, and Vancouver International Airport.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of airports | 518 |
| Number of international airports | 21 |
| Number of airports designated as international by Transport Canada | 13 |
| Largest airport | Toronto Pearson International Airport |
| Busiest airport | Toronto Pearson International Airport |
| Busiest airport in 2022 | Ottawa McDonald-Cartier International Airport |
| Busiest international airport in Alberta | Calgary International Airport |
| 2nd-largest airport in Atlantic Canada | St. John's International Airport |
| Largest passenger and cargo airport facility | Edmonton International Airport |
| 2nd-busiest airport in Quebec | Quebec City Jean Lesage International Airport |
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What You'll Learn
- Canada has 518 airports, including domestic and international airports
- Toronto Pearson International Airport is the largest and busiest airport
- There are 13 airports designated as international by Transport Canada
- Airports are essential for connecting Canada's dispersed population
- Air Canada is the country's largest airline
Canada has 518 airports, including domestic and international airports
Canada has 518 airports, including both domestic and international options. This extensive network of airports serves as a vital transportation link, connecting the country's dispersed population across its vast geography. Notably, Toronto Pearson International Airport stands as the largest and busiest airport in Canada. Located in Mississauga, about 20 kilometres west of Toronto, it boasts five runways and two terminals, with Terminal 1 specifically designed for Star Alliance airlines.
In addition to Toronto Pearson, several other international airports play a significant role in facilitating travel within Canada and beyond. For instance, Ottawa McDonald-Cartier International Airport, situated 10 kilometres from downtown Ottawa, was the second busiest airport in terms of passenger traffic in 2022. It is known for providing US border preclearance facilities. Similarly, Calgary International Airport in Alberta is recognised as the busiest international airport in the province. It features the longest runway and the tallest control tower in Canada and has undergone remarkable improvements, earning a notable reputation worldwide.
Vancouver is served by Toronto Pearson International Airport, which is located about 22.5 kilometres northwest of downtown Vancouver. This airport, established in 1937, was previously known as Malton Airport. It accommodates both domestic and international flights with two passenger terminals and five runways. Halifax Stanfield International Airport, inaugurated in 1960, is another significant hub, ranking as the sixth busiest airport in Canada. It is situated approximately 35 kilometres from downtown Halifax and efficiently manages all domestic and international travel operations through a single terminal.
St. John's International Airport, part of the National Airports System, is the second-largest airport in Atlantic Canada. Its proximity to the downtown city, just 10 kilometres away, earns it the nickname "downtown airport." Edmonton International Airport, situated in Leduc County, serves as the largest passenger and cargo airport facility in Canada. With a vast area, it has been the primary commercial airport for the major province of Alberta since the 1960s. Additionally, Quebec City Jean Lesage International Airport stands as the second busiest airport in Quebec and one of the main gateways to the region.
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Toronto Pearson International Airport is the largest and busiest airport
Canada has 13 airports designated as international airports, but the number of known airports in the country is unclear. However, Toronto Pearson International Airport stands out as the largest and busiest airport in Canada. It is situated 25 kilometres (16 miles) northwest of downtown Toronto in the city of Mississauga, with a small portion extending into Toronto's western district of Etobicoke. The airport covers 1,867 hectares (4,613 acres) or 4,600 acres, equivalent to nearly 12,500 hockey arenas.
Toronto Pearson International Airport is named after Lester B. Pearson, the 14th Prime Minister of Canada, who was born in Toronto and received the 1957 Nobel Peace Prize for his humanitarian work in peacekeeping. The airport was previously known as Malton Airport before it was sold to the Government of Canada in 1958 and renamed Toronto International Airport. On January 2, 1984, it was officially renamed Lester B. Pearson International Airport. The Greater Toronto Airports Authority (GTAA) has managed the airport since 1996 and has used the name Toronto Pearson International Airport since then.
As the largest and busiest airport in Canada, Toronto Pearson plays a crucial role in the country's aviation industry. In 2019, the airport handled 50.5 million passengers, solidifying its top spot. The COVID-19 pandemic significantly impacted passenger traffic in 2020, with numbers dropping to 13.3 million. The airport serves as the primary global hub for Air Canada and as a hub for Porter Airlines and WestJet. Additionally, it serves as a focus city for Air Transat and a base for Flair Airlines.
Toronto Pearson boasts an extensive network of non-stop domestic flights, connecting Toronto to all major and many secondary cities across all provinces and territories of Canada. More than 50 airlines operate non-stop or direct flights from Toronto Pearson, offering services to over 180 destinations across all six inhabited continents. The airport has five runways and two passenger terminals, along with various cargo, maintenance, and aerospace production facilities. The Union Pearson Express (UP Express) provides a convenient airport rail link between the airport and Union Station in downtown Toronto, with a travel time of just 25 minutes.
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There are 13 airports designated as international by Transport Canada
Canada is a large country with many sparsely populated areas. Air transportation is essential for its geography and dispersed population. Canada is a world leader in connecting remote communities by air. Toronto Pearson International Airport is the largest and busiest airport in Canada. It is located in Mississauga, about 20 km west of Toronto in the province of Ontario. It has five runways and two terminals.
Some of the international airports in Canada include Ottawa McDonald-Cartier International Airport, Quebec City Jean Lesage International Airport, and Gander International Airport. The former is the second busiest airport in terms of passenger traffic in 2022. It is located in the south end of Downtown Ottawa, about 10 kilometres from the city. Quebec City Jean Lesage International Airport is the second busiest and one of the main airports in Quebec. Gander International Airport, known as the Crossroads of the World, has facilitated transatlantic airline crossings since 1939.
In addition to the 13 international airports, there are 23 airports owned by Transport Canada and leased to Canadian airport authorities. Kelowna Airport is the only airport listed that is not operated by an airport authority. The City of Kelowna operates this airport under a long-term lease with Transport Canada.
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Airports are essential for connecting Canada's dispersed population
Canada is a geographically large country with a sparse population. Air transportation is essential for connecting its dispersed population. Canada is a world leader in connecting remote communities by air. Airports are vital for interprovincial trade, economic growth, and everyday life. They connect Canadians to healthcare, education, trade, and economic opportunities. Canada's airports support 435,800 jobs, generating $49.6 billion in GDP and producing $123.5 billion in annual economic output.
The Canadian Airports Council (CAC) has urged the federal and provincial governments to strengthen the country's regional air service. A report by InterVISTAS Consulting, commissioned by the CAC, highlights the importance of regional air service and reveals a concerning trend. While some airports, like Whitehorse in the Yukon, have seen improvements, most others have experienced reductions in air service frequency, impacting regional economies and access to essential services.
Canada's approach to air service availability has been primarily market-driven, while other countries invest in infrastructure, support airlines, and provide passenger subsidies to maintain smaller markets. The CAC's report emphasizes that a well-connected Canada is a competitive, equitable, and united Canada. The government has provided support through programs like the Remote Air Service Program (RASP) and the Regional Air Transportation Initiative (RATI) during the COVID-19 pandemic to prevent remote communities from being cut off.
As of August 2023, there are 13 airports designated as international by Transport Canada. Additionally, the National Airports System includes 23 airports owned by Transport Canada and leased to Canadian airport authorities. Toronto Airport, located in Mississauga, is the largest and busiest airport in Canada, with five runways and two active terminals. Canada's flag carrier, Air Canada, offers flights to over 200 destinations and is headquartered in Montreal.
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Air Canada is the country's largest airline
Canada is home to 13 international airports, with 23 airports owned by Transport Canada and leased to Canadian airport authorities. Although other airlines operate in the country, such as Westjet, Air Canada is the country's largest airline.
Air Canada is Canada's flag carrier and the largest airline by size and passengers carried. The airline is headquartered in the borough of Saint-Laurent in Montreal and operates major hubs at Montréal–Trudeau, Toronto–Pearson, and Vancouver. As of January 2024, Air Canada flies to 64 domestic destinations and 158 international destinations across six continents. Along with its regional partners, the carrier serves over 222 destinations in 47 countries.
The airline was founded in 1937 and originated from the Canadian federal government's creation of Trans-Canada Air Lines (TCA) in 1936. TCA began operating its first transcontinental flight routes in 1938, and in 1965, it was renamed Air Canada following government approval. After the deregulation of the Canadian airline market in the 1980s, the airline was privatized in 1988.
Air Canada has expanded through acquisitions and consolidations. In 2000, Air Canada acquired Canadian Airlines International, becoming the world's twelfth-largest airline at the time. In 2001, Air Canada consolidated several of its wholly-owned regional carriers into Air Canada Regional Incorporated, which later became Air Canada Jazz. Air Canada has also launched discount airlines, such as Zip in 2002, to compete with rival airlines.
Today, Air Canada is a major player in the Canadian aviation industry, offering scheduled and charter air transport for passengers and cargo to destinations worldwide.
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Frequently asked questions
There are 518 airports in Canada.
As of 11 August 2023, there are 13 airports designated as international by Transport Canada. However, one source lists 21 international airports in Canada.
Toronto Pearson International Airport is the largest and busiest airport in Canada. It is located about 22.5 kilometres northwest of Downtown Vancouver and has two passenger terminals.
Formerly known as McCall Field, Calgary International Airport is the busiest international airport in Alberta.
St. John's International Airport is the second-largest airport in Atlantic Canada.
