Jazmin Li
Ottawa Macdonald–Cartier International Airport, also known as YOW airport, is one of eight Canadian airports with United States border preclearance facilities. The airport was formerly a military base known as CFB Ottawa South/CFB Uplands. YOW covers an expanse of 1,686 hectares (4,166 acres) of total airport property. In this paragraph, we will explore the history and features of YOW airport and understand its significance in the region.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Airport Name | Ottawa Macdonald–Cartier International Airport |
| Airport Code | YOW |
| Location | Ottawa, Ontario, Canada |
| Address | 1000 Airport Parkway Private Ottawa ON K1V 9B4 |
| Website | www.yow.ca |
| Phone Number | 613-248-2000 |
| Airlines | Air Canada, Air France, Air North, Air Transat, Canadian North, Porter Airlines, United, WestJet |
| Destinations | 57 airports around the world |
| Aircraft Types | Boeing 777, Boeing 787 Dreamliner, Bombardier Dash 8, Embraer 19X/17X |
| Size | 1,686 hectares (4,166 acres) |
| Former Name | Uplands |
| History | Formerly a military base known as CFB Ottawa South/CFB Uplands; busiest airport in Canada during the 1950s |
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What You'll Learn
- YOW is the airport code for Ottawa Macdonald–Cartier International Airport
- The airport was formerly a military base
- Lufthansa planned to begin flights from Frankfurt to YOW in 2020, but this did not happen
- YOW covers 1,686 hectares of total airport property
- Air Canada is the second-largest operator at YOW
YOW is the airport code for Ottawa Macdonald–Cartier International Airport
Ottawa Macdonald–Cartier International Airport is one of eight Canadian airports that have United States border preclearance facilities. Customs services for private aircraft are available at the two fixed-base operators (FBO), Shell Aerocentre and Skyservice Business Aviation, on the south field. The airport grounds also feature a number of aviation component repair facilities, mostly clustered around the Skyservice complex.
The Canadian government built a new airfield to the south of the original site in the 1950s to accommodate civilian jet travel. The airport, which was still known as Uplands at the time, was the busiest airport in Canada in terms of takeoffs and landings. During this period, the airport served scheduled airline flights by Trans-Canada Air Lines (Toronto, Montreal, and Val-d'Or), Trans Air (Churchill), and Eastern Air Lines (New York via Syracuse and Washington via Montreal).
Ottawa Macdonald–Cartier International Airport is served by eight airlines, including Air Canada, Air France, Air North, Air Transat, Canadian North, Porter Airlines, United, and WestJet. The airport offers flights to 57 destinations worldwide, with the longest route being to Paris (CDG), which takes about 6 hours and 50 minutes with a Boeing 777-200.
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The airport was formerly a military base
The airport code YOW stands for Ottawa Macdonald–Cartier International Airport, which is located at 1000 Airport Parkway Private, Ottawa, Ontario. It is one of the bigger airports in Canada, with 8 airlines flying from Ottawa to 57 airports around the world. YOW covers an expanse of 1,686 hectares (4,166 acres) of total airport property.
The Canadian government built a new airfield south of the original one with two much longer runways to accommodate civilian jet travel. The current main airport terminal stands on the site of the former village of Bowesville, which was expropriated in 1950 to allow for the airport's southward expansion. The road to the south of the airport still bears the name "Bowesville Road".
Today, YOW is still home to the Royal Canadian Air Force's (RCAF) 412 Transport Squadron, which provides air transport for Canadian and foreign government officials.
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Lufthansa planned to begin flights from Frankfurt to YOW in 2020, but this did not happen
YOW stands for Ottawa Macdonald–Cartier International Airport, which was formerly a military base known as CFB Ottawa South/CFB Uplands. Lufthansa, the flag carrier of Germany, planned to begin flights from Frankfurt to YOW in May 2020. However, this plan did not come to fruition due to the pandemic, which caused the airport to lose all nonstop transatlantic routes to Europe in March 2020.
Lufthansa has a long history of expanding its network and embracing new aircraft technology. The airline embraced the jet age in 1958 by ordering Boeing 707 aircraft, allowing them to launch jet flights between Frankfurt and New York City in 1960. Lufthansa continued to expand its routes throughout the early 1960s, adding destinations in the Far East, Africa, and pioneering a polar route to Tokyo via Anchorage in 1964. The airline has also faced challenges, such as financial losses in 2010 and 2011, which led to restructuring and job cuts.
Ottawa Macdonald–Cartier International Airport, or YOW, covers an expanse of 1,686 hectares (4,166 acres) and is one of eight Canadian airports with United States border preclearance facilities. The airport has a variety of aviation component repair facilities and is home to the Royal Canadian Air Force's 412 Transport Squadron, providing air transport for government officials.
Lufthansa's planned route from Frankfurt to YOW was intended to fill the gap left by Air Canada's decision to shut down its seasonal daily route between Ottawa and Frankfurt in September 2019. However, the pandemic disrupted travel plans worldwide, and Lufthansa's new route to YOW was unfortunately one of the casualties. The airline industry faced significant challenges during this time, with Lufthansa also experiencing an IT glitch in 2023 that disrupted flights.
Despite the setback, Lufthansa has shown resilience and a commitment to expanding its network. By the summer of 2023, the airline planned to offer connections to over 200 destinations worldwide, including new routes from its Frankfurt and Munich hubs. As of 2025, Lufthansa offers flights from Frankfurt to Ottawa, catering to both business and leisure travellers.
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YOW covers 1,686 hectares of total airport property
YOW, also known as the Ottawa Macdonald–Cartier International Airport, covers 1,686 hectares (4,166 acres) of total airport property. The airport was formerly a military base known as CFB Ottawa South/CFB Uplands, and is still home to the Royal Canadian Air Force's (RCAF) 412 Transport Squadron, which provides air transport for Canadian and foreign government officials. The airport has a rich history, with the nearby farming community of Bowesville being expropriated in 1950 to allow for its southward expansion. During the 1950s, when the airport was still named Uplands, it was the busiest airport in Canada by takeoffs and landings, reaching a peak of 307,079 aircraft movements in 1959.
With a total area of 1,686 hectares, YOW airport is a sizeable aviation hub. This land encompasses various facilities and infrastructure essential for airport operations. The vast expanse of land allows for the accommodation of runways, taxiways, terminals, hangars, and other support structures. The airport grounds also include spaces for aviation component repair facilities, such as those around the Skyservice complex. Additionally, government organisations, such as the National Research Council and Transport Canada, operate facilities on the airport grounds.
The 1,686 hectares of YOW airport property is not just limited to aviation-related infrastructure. The airport also houses a variety of other facilities and services that support the overall airport operations and enhance the experience of travellers and employees. These facilities may include parking lots, ground transportation hubs, dining options, shopping areas, lounges, and hotels. The airport may also have areas designated for administrative offices, security checkpoints, customs services, and other essential operational needs.
The large area covered by YOW airport allows for efficient aircraft movement and ground operations. The ample space enables the construction of longer runways, which can accommodate larger aircraft and support an increased number of flights. The size of the airport property also contributes to safety by providing sufficient buffer zones and clearances between runways and surrounding structures. Furthermore, the extensive land allows for future expansion and development projects, ensuring that the airport can adapt to growing aviation demands and technological advancements.
The expanse of YOW airport property also presents opportunities for sustainable initiatives and green spaces. The airport may incorporate natural areas, such as gardens or parks, to enhance the overall environment and provide a pleasant experience for travellers. Additionally, the airport may implement eco-friendly practices, such as the use of renewable energy sources or waste management systems, utilising the available land efficiently. The size of the airport property enables a more comprehensive approach to sustainability and environmental responsibility.
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Air Canada is the second-largest operator at YOW
YOW stands for Ottawa Macdonald–Cartier International Airport, which is the main international airport serving Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, and its metropolitan area, as well as Gatineau, Quebec, known as the National Capital Region. The airport is named after Canadian statesmen and two of the "founding fathers of Canada", Sir John A. Macdonald and Sir George-Étienne Cartier.
Ottawa Macdonald–Cartier International Airport (YOW) is a large airport in Canada, with 8 airlines flying from Ottawa to 57 airports around the world, as of May 2025. The airport is a hub for Porter Airlines, which is the largest airline at YOW by the number of departures, with around 244 scheduled take-offs every week.
Air Canada has a strong presence at YOW, with the airport serving as a focus city for the airline. In 2010, Air Canada and YOW jointly won the Ottawa Tourism Award for Tourism Partnership of the Year for their cooperative work in promoting Air Canada's non-stop flight between Frankfurt and Ottawa. The airline has also expanded its route network from YOW, offering flights to various domestic and international destinations.
In summary, Air Canada is the second-largest operator at YOW, after Porter Airlines. As Canada's largest airline, Air Canada has a significant presence at YOW, with the airport serving as a focus city and offering various flight options to passengers.
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Frequently asked questions
YOW is the airport code for Ottawa Macdonald–Cartier International Airport.
The airport was formerly a military base known as CFB Ottawa South/CFB Uplands. During the 1950s, while the airport was still named Uplands, it was the busiest airport in Canada by takeoffs and landings. The airport has since expanded southward, and the current main airport terminal stands on the site of the former farming community of Bowesville.
There are 8 airlines with flights from YOW airport: Air Canada, Air France, Air North, Air Transat, Canadian North, Porter Airlines, United, and WestJet.
From YOW airport, passengers can fly to 39 destinations around the world, including Paris, Frankfurt, Calgary, and Vancouver.
YOW airport covers an expanse of 1,686 hectares (4,166 acres) and is one of eight Canadian airports with United States border preclearance facilities. The airport is also home to the Royal Canadian Air Force's (RCAF) 412 Transport Squadron, which provides air transport for government officials.
