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Halifax Stanfield International Airport is located in Goffs, Nova Scotia, a rural community of the Halifax Regional Municipality. It is about 30 minutes from Downtown Halifax. The airport is named after Robert Stanfield, the 17th Premier of Nova Scotia and former leader of the federal Progressive Conservative Party of Canada. It opened in 1960 and has been operated by the Halifax International Airport Authority (HIAA) since 2000. The airport is the 8th busiest airport in Canada by passenger traffic, serving over four million passengers per year. The airport area includes restaurants, a hotel, golf clubs, and the Atlantic Canada Aviation Museum.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Halifax Stanfield International Airport |
| Location | Goffs, Nova Scotia, Canada |
| Owner | Transport Canada |
| Operator | Halifax International Airport Authority (HIAA) |
| Passenger Traffic Ranking in Canada | 8th busiest |
| Number of Passengers (2024) | 3,979,785 |
| Number of Aircraft Movements (2017) | 84,045 |
| Operating Base for | Cougar Helicopters, Maritime Air Charter, and PAL Airlines |
| Focus City for | Air Canada and Porter Airlines |
| Construction Started | November 1955 |
| Construction Cost | C$4.5 million |
| Year Opened | 1960 |
| Number of Passengers Served Annually | Over 4 million |
| On-Site Accommodations | 14-storey, 169-room Alt Hotel |
| Nearby Attractions | Atlantic Canada Aviation Museum, Ashburn Golf Club, Airlane Golf Club |
| Public Transportation Options | Regional Express 320 Bus Service, Maritime Bus Service |
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What You'll Learn
History and construction
Halifax Stanfield International Airport, located in Goffs, Nova Scotia, is approximately 30 minutes from Downtown Halifax. The airport is named after Robert Stanfield, the 17th Premier of Nova Scotia and former leader of the federal Progressive Conservative Party of Canada. Construction of the airport began in November 1955, with runways built by Diamond Construction of Halifax. The terminal building was designed by Gilleland and Strutt, an architecture firm that had previously designed a similar terminal in Ottawa. The airport was substantially completed by June 1960, with a temporary licence for daytime visual flight rules (VFR) operations issued that month. The first aircraft landed at the airport on August 1, 1960, at 4:50 am, piloted by Halifax native W.E. Barnes. The airport was formally inaugurated on September 10, 1960, by the Minister of Transport, George Hees.
The construction of the airport cost about C$4.5 million and included health, immigration, and customs facilities for international passengers, a restaurant, a control tower and administrative offices, and two observation decks. The terminal building was designed in a modernist style and featured Nova Scotia's first set of escalators. The airport has undergone constant renovations and improvements to accommodate the growth in passenger traffic over the decades. Since the Halifax International Airport Authority (HIAA) took over management in 2000, over $200 million has been invested in improvements to the terminal building and infrastructure.
The HIAA was established in November 1995 in anticipation of changes to the operation of Canadian airports by the federal government. Transport Canada, which owned and operated the airport since its construction, began divesting the management of sea ports and airports to non-profit authorities in the 1990s to reduce its payroll and scope of activities. The HIAA has undertaken an aggressive construction schedule to implement improvements to the airport, funded in part by a passenger user fee.
In recent years, the airport has seen the addition of an on-site 14-storey, 169-room Alt Hotel, which opened in 2013. The hotel is linked to the passenger terminal and parking garage by an enclosed footbridge and offers various amenities, including conference and banquet facilities, a fitness centre, a pool, and a 24-hour cafe. The Halifax Stanfield International Airport continues to be a significant transportation hub, serving over four million passengers per year and offering bus and car rental services to nearby locations.
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Local attractions
Halifax Stanfield International Airport is located in Goffs, Nova Scotia, a rural community within the Halifax Regional Municipality. The airport is about 30 minutes from Downtown Halifax. The airport area is home to the airport's surrounding communities and several local attractions.
The airport itself has an on-site 14-storey, 169-room Alt Hotel, linked to the terminal and parking garage by an enclosed footbridge. The hotel includes conference and banquet facilities, a fitness centre, a pool, and a 24-hour cafe.
For dining options, there are restaurants near the airport, such as The Turtleback Tap & Grill, Oliver's Gastropub, and The Fourth Lock, all located in Fall River, just minutes from the airport.
Golf enthusiasts can visit the Ashburn Golf Club in Fall River or the Airlane Golf Club, which is located behind the airport.
For those interested in aviation, the Atlantic Canada Aviation Museum is a must-see. The museum is dedicated to preserving Canada's civilian and military aviation history, featuring over 20 aircraft, three simulators, and hundreds of artifacts. It has the most comprehensive collection east of Ottawa.
Additionally, Laurie Provincial Park offers a camping experience by the lake, providing a peaceful getaway just a short distance from the airport.
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Transport options
Halifax Stanfield International Airport is located in Goffs, Nova Scotia, a rural community of the Halifax Regional Municipality. It is about 30 minutes from Downtown Halifax. The airport is named after Robert Stanfield, the 17th Premier of Nova Scotia and former leader of the federal Progressive Conservative Party of Canada. The airport has been in operation since 1960 and is owned by Transport Canada. It is currently operated by the Halifax International Airport Authority (HIAA).
There are several transport options for getting to and from the airport. These include public transportation, car rentals, taxis, and limos.
Public transportation
The Regional Express 320 bus service is a public transportation option that services the airport. The bus costs $4.25 one way (exact change required) and has three drop-off and pick-up locations: Fall River, Downtown Dartmouth, and Downtown Halifax.
Another bus option is the Maritime Bus service, which offers daily transportation to and from the airport. The rate depends on the drop-off location, and bookings can be made online, in person, or by phone.
Car rentals
Car rental services are available at the airport and can be found on the Lower Level of the Airport Parkade. Several rental companies are available, including Alamo/National, Avis, Budget, Dollar/Thrifty, Enterprise, and Hertz.
Taxis and limos
Taxis and limos are also available on-site at the airport. For a fixed rate, it is recommended to ask for a taxi from the Ground Transportation booth in arrivals. Rates will depend on the drop-off location, with a starting rate of $64 for downtown Halifax. Most taxi companies accept credit, debit, and cash payments.
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Hotels and amenities
Halifax Stanfield International Airport, located in Goffs, Nova Scotia, is approximately 30 minutes from downtown Halifax. The airport is named after Robert Stanfield, the 17th Premier of Nova Scotia and former leader of the federal Progressive Conservative Party of Canada. The airport has been in operation since 1960 and is currently managed by the Halifax International Airport Authority (HIAA). Over the years, the HIAA has invested over $200 million in improvements to the terminal building to accommodate the growing number of passengers, which exceeded four million per year.
In terms of hotels and amenities, the airport offers a range of options for travellers. On-site, there is the Alt Hotel, a 14-storey building with 169 rooms. The hotel is conveniently linked to the passenger terminal and parking garage via an enclosed footbridge. It offers various facilities, including conference and banquet spaces, a fitness centre, a pool, and a 24-hour cafe. The hotel was constructed with soundproof windows to ensure a peaceful stay despite the proximity to the airport.
Near the airport, travellers can find several dining options, such as The Turtleback Tap & Grill, Oliver's Gastropub, and The Fourth Lock, all located in Fall River, just a short distance from the airport. For golf enthusiasts, there are nearby courses at Ashburn Golf Club and Airlane Golf Club. The Atlantic Canada Aviation Museum is also a notable attraction in the area, showcasing Canada's aviation history with aircraft displays, simulators, and artefacts.
Additionally, the airport provides easy access to car rentals, with companies such as Alamo/National, Avis, Budget, and Enterprise offering their services on-site. Taxi and limo services are also readily available, providing transportation to various destinations, including downtown Halifax. For those opting for public transportation, the Regional Express 320 bus service offers a convenient and affordable option, with a fare of $4.25 one way.
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Operators and authorities
Halifax Stanfield International Airport is owned by Transport Canada and has been operated by the Halifax International Airport Authority (HIAA) since 2000. The airport is named after Robert Stanfield, the 17th Premier of Nova Scotia and former leader of the federal Progressive Conservative Party of Canada. It is located in Goffs, Nova Scotia, a rural community of the Halifax Regional Municipality, and is about 30 minutes from Downtown Halifax. The airport serves the Halifax region, mainland Nova Scotia, and adjacent areas in the neighbouring Maritime provinces. It is the 8th busiest airport in Canada by passenger traffic, handling 3,979,785 passengers in 2024 and 84,045 aircraft movements in 2017.
The HIAA was established in November 1995 in anticipation of changes to the operation of Canadian airports by the federal government. The federal government, through its Department of Transport, owned and operated the airport since its construction in 1960. However, by the 1990s, the government sought to reduce the payroll and scope of Transport Canada's activities. Amendments to the Canada Transportation Act in 1995 led to the divestment of sea ports and airports to non-profit authorities. The HIAA has been responsible for an extensive construction schedule to implement improvements to the airport infrastructure. A passenger user fee funds these developments.
Several fixed-base operators (FBOs) serve the airport, handling fuelling, ground handling, hangarage, catering, etc. These include Air Canada Technical Services, Aircraft Service International, Gateway Facilities, Halifax International Fuel Facility Consortium (HIFFC), Inland Technologies, Innotech-Execaire, PAL Aviation Services, Shell AeroCentre, Strategic Aviation, and Swissport.
The airport features an on-site 14-storey, 169-room Alt Hotel, which opened in 2013. The hotel is operated by Groupe Germain Hospitalité and includes conference and banquet facilities, a fitness centre, a pool, and a 24-hour cafe.
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Frequently asked questions
The name of the airport in Halifax is Halifax Stanfield International Airport.
The airport is just 30 minutes from Downtown Halifax. You could visit the Atlantic Canada Aviation Museum, which is dedicated to preserving Canada's aviation history, or golf at Ashburn Golf Club in Fall River.
The Regional Express 320 bus service is available for $4.25 one way. The bus picks up from the airport and has three drop-off locations: Fall River, Downtown Dartmouth, and Downtown Halifax. Maritime Bus Service also offers daily transportation to and from the airport, with rates depending on the drop-off location. Car rentals are available at the airport, as well as taxis and limos.
The Alt Hotel is located on-site at the airport, linked to the passenger terminal and parking garage by an enclosed footbridge.
