
Canadian airport codes are known for starting with the letter 'Y', and the code for Québec City Jean Lesage International Airport is no exception. YQB is the airport code for Québec City Jean Lesage International Airport, which is located 17 km west of Quebec City, Canada. The airport was first established in 1939 and was previously known as Aéroport de l'Ancienne Lorette, Aéroport de Sainte-Foy, and Aéroport de Québec before being renamed in honour of Jean Lesage in 1993.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Airport name | Québec City Jean Lesage International Airport |
| Other names | Jean Lesage International Airport, Aéroport international Jean-Lesage de Québec, Aéroport de Québec, Aéroport de l'Ancienne Lorette, Aéroport de Sainte-Foy |
| Airport code | YQB |
| IATA code | YQB |
| ICAO code | CYQB |
| Location | Quebec City, Canada |
| Distance from Quebec City | 17 km (10.5 mi) west of the city |
| Ranking | 12th-busiest airport in Canada in 2024 |
| Number of passengers | 1,688,736 in 2024 |
| Number of runways | 2 |
| Longest runway | 9,000 by 150 ft (2,743 by 46 m) |
| Public transportation | Réseau de transport de la Capitale routes 76 and 80 |
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What You'll Learn
- YQB is the airport code for Québec/Jean Lesage International Airport
- YQB is derived from the letters Y and QB, with Y being used in most Canadian airport codes
- The IATA, International Air Transport Authority, is headquartered in Montréal, Canada
- The YQB airport code is also used for baggage tags and in electronic flight systems
- YQB International Airport is the primary airport serving Quebec City, Canada

YQB is the airport code for Québec/Jean Lesage International Airport
The YQB airport code is used to identify Québec/Jean Lesage International Airport in various travel and aviation contexts, such as flight bookings, luggage tags, and airport screens. The three-letter airport code system is standardised by the International Air Transport Association (IATA), which assigns unique codes to airports worldwide. These codes are designed to be easy to use and remember, aiding pilots, travel companies, and travellers in navigation and flight operations.
The use of the letter "Y" as the first letter of Canadian airport codes is a notable feature. Historically, the letter "Y" was employed in radio communications within the Canadian transportation industry. Over time, this practice evolved, and Canadian airport codes began to adopt the "Y" as their initial letter. This pattern is observed across various Canadian cities, including Toronto (YYZ), Vancouver (YVR), Montreal (YUL), and Ottawa (YOW).
Québec/Jean Lesage International Airport has undergone several name changes throughout its history. Initially established as a training facility for air observers in 1939, it was first known as Aéroport de l'Ancienne Lorette. Subsequent names included Aéroport de Sainte-Foy and Aéroport de Québec. In 1993, the airport was renamed Aéroport international Jean-Lesage, honouring former Quebec Premier Jean Lesage.
The airport has experienced significant expansion projects, including the YQB2018 initiative, which culminated in the opening of a new international terminal in 2017. This expansion introduced additional baggage carousels, an expanded food court, new gates, and improved vehicle loading areas. Québec/Jean Lesage International Airport caters to a range of long-, mid-, and short-haul flights, with over ten airlines offering weekly flights to destinations across North America, Central America, the Caribbean, and Europe.
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YQB is derived from the letters Y and QB, with Y being used in most Canadian airport codes
YQB is the airport code for Québec City Jean Lesage International Airport, located in Quebec, Canada. The airport is also known as Jean Lesage International Airport, and its IATA code is YQB, while its ICAO code is CYQB.
The YQB airport code is derived from the letters Y and QB, with Y being used in most Canadian airport codes. The use of the letter Y in Canadian airport codes dates back to the early days of the transport industry when the letter Y was used in all radio communication codes. This practice was initially used to identify weather towers, which were often located near airports and radio stations. As air travel increased in the 1930s, it became important to identify if an airport had a weather/radio station for safety and landing reasons.
Today, the YQB airport code is used to easily identify Québec City Jean Lesage International Airport in various travel and aviation contexts. The three-letter airport code system is used globally and is accepted as a universal airport identifier. These codes are easy to use for pilots, travel companies, and frequent travellers when booking flights, checking flight schedules, and claiming baggage at airports.
In the case of YQB, the Y stands for the letter Y, and QB is derived from QuéBec, which is the province and city that the airport serves. This method of using the first letter of the city or province, followed by two other letters, is commonly used in Canadian airport codes, such as YOW for Ottawa and YEG for Edmonton.
As the primary airport serving Quebec City, YQB offers flights to destinations across Canada, the United States, Central America, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Europe. The airport has undergone expansions to accommodate increasing passenger traffic, including the addition of a new international terminal completed in 2017.
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The IATA, International Air Transport Authority, is headquartered in Montréal, Canada
The IATA, or the International Air Transport Association, is headquartered in Montréal, Canada. It is the trade association for the world's airlines, with members comprising over 80% of total air traffic. IATA was formed in 1947 when many airlines were government-owned and loss-making. It operated as a cartel, setting a constrained fare structure that avoided price competition. IATA provided input to the newly created International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), which was reflected in the annexes of the Chicago Convention in 1944, the international treaty that governs international air transport.
IATA has since held conferences and issued rulings on various issues pertaining to the airline industry. For example, in 1958, IATA issued a formal ruling barring airlines from serving economy passengers sandwiches with "luxurious" ingredients. IATA also capped travel agent commissions at 7% of the airline ticket price from 1956 to 1975.
IATA continues to play a significant role in the airline industry today. It supports many areas of aviation activity and helps formulate industry policy on critical aviation issues. IATA also offers customizable offers to its members, including websites, events, and manuals, to help raise their profiles and ensure they are seen by their target audiences.
In addition to its work with the airline industry, IATA is committed to achieving net-zero carbon by 2050, bringing air transport in line with the Paris Agreement to limit global warming to 1.5°C. This initiative, known as Fly Net Zero, demonstrates IATA's commitment to sustainability and environmental responsibility in the aviation sector.
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The YQB airport code is also used for baggage tags and in electronic flight systems
YQB is the airport code for Québec/Jean Lesage International Airport, which is located in Quebec City, Canada. The YQB airport code is used in electronic flight systems and on baggage tags, as well as on flight tickets, boarding passes, and luggage invoices. These codes are designed to be easy to use and remember for pilots, travel companies, and frequent travellers.
The YQB code is also used in electronic flight systems, which are employed by pilots, travel companies, and frequent travellers to navigate and manage flights. These systems use the three-letter airport code to identify the airport and provide essential information such as location, time zone, latitude, longitude, and current time.
Additionally, the YQB code is used on baggage tags. Baggage tags are essential for identifying and tracking luggage during travel. The use of the YQB code on baggage tags allows for efficient routing and handling of baggage at the airport, ensuring that luggage reaches its correct destination.
The YQB airport code is also used for operational purposes at the airport. It helps in identifying the correct airport for flights, baggage handling, and various other logistics operations. The code is used by airport staff, ground handling agents, and other stakeholders to ensure smooth and efficient operations at the airport.
Furthermore, the YQB code plays a role in airport marketing and promotion. The unique and recognisable code helps travellers easily identify and associate it with Québec/Jean Lesage International Airport. This aids in raising the airport's profile, attracting more airlines and passengers, and fostering a sense of brand recognition and loyalty.
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YQB International Airport is the primary airport serving Quebec City, Canada
YQB, or Québec/Jean Lesage International Airport, is the primary airport serving Quebec City, Canada. It is located 17 km (10.5 mi) west of the city, in L'Ancienne-Lorette. The airport was first established in 1939 as a training facility for air observers, with the first flight taking off on September 11, 1941. It has since undergone several name changes and expansions to become the bustling airport it is today.
The airport code YQB is derived from the city's name, Quebec, with Y being a common letter used in Canadian airport codes. This practice originated from Canada's use of two-letter call signs for weather towers, which often doubled as navigational beacons for pilots. As air travel increased in the 1930s, it became important to identify airports with weather/radio stations for safety and landing reasons.
Québec/Jean Lesage International Airport offers a range of amenities and services for passengers. It features dedicated baggage carousels, a customs area, an expanded food court, and a larger capacity baggage area. The airport also has two runways, the longest being 9,000 by 150 ft (2,743 by 46 m) in a northeast-southwesterly direction.
YQB International Airport caters to various long-, mid-, and short-haul aircraft. More than ten airlines provide 360 weekly flights to destinations across Canada, the United States, Central America, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Europe. In 2024, it was Canada's 12th busiest airport, handling 1,688,736 passengers.
The airport has also gained recognition for its efforts in sustainability. Air Canada's Québec City Ground Operations became the airline's first station in Canada to achieve full electrification of its GSE fleet by the end of 2025, transitioning from fossil fuel-powered equipment to electric alternatives.
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Frequently asked questions
YQB is the airport code for Québec/Jean Lesage International Airport, also known as Québec City Jean Lesage International Airport.
In the early days of the transport industry, the letter '"Y"' was used in the codes of radio communications. This letter is still used in the codes of Canadian airports.
The ICAO code for Québec/Jean Lesage International Airport is CYQB.

















