Lois Larson
Yellowknife Airport (IATA: YZF, ICAO: CYZF) is located in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, Canada. The airport is about 6 km from the city centre and is operated by the Government of the Northwest Territories. It serves as a key connector for services across the Northwest Territories, acting as a gateway to the northern regions of Canada. The airport offers regular scheduled passenger services and freight services, with various airlines offering flights to and from Yellowknife.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Airport Name | Yellowknife Airport |
| Airport Code | YZF/CYZF |
| Location | Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, Canada |
| Distance from Yellowknife City Centre | 6 km |
| Alternate Airports | Wekweètì Airport (YFJ/CYWE), Lutselk'e Airport (YSG/CYLK), Whatì Airport (YLE/CEM3) |
| Airlines | WestJet, Air Canada, Air North, Canadian North, Northwestern Air Lease, Buffalo Airways, North-Wright Airways, Air Tindi |
| Amenities | Free Wi-Fi, Long-term Parking, Fire and Rescue Service |
| Services | Passenger Service, Freight Service, Cargo, Charters, General Aviation, Medical Travel, National Defense Programs, Commercial Air Services |
| Passenger Traffic | 604,000 (in 2024) |
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What You'll Learn
Yellowknife Airport's location and history
Yellowknife Airport (IATA: YZF, ICAO: CYZF) is located in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, Canada. The airport is within a five-minute drive from downtown Yellowknife. It is part of the National Airports System and is operated by the Government of the Northwest Territories.
The airport has regular scheduled passenger services and freight services. In 2024, the airport handled 604,000 passengers. In 2008, the airport's passenger terminal was expanded, roughly doubling in size. The airport is classified as an airport of entry by Nav Canada and is staffed by the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA). CBSA officers at this airport can handle general aviation aircraft only, with no more than 15 passengers. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police ("G" Division) maintains a hangar for its air section just south of the passenger terminal.
Yellowknife Airport was initially built by Canadian Pacific Airlines in 1944 and then sold to the federal Department of Transport in 1946. A new terminal building was constructed in 1963, with renovations completed in 1967, 1998, and 2005-2006. The control tower was built in 1972. During the 2023 Canadian wildfires, the city of Yellowknife was evacuated, and the airport served as a critical exit point for evacuees. Air Canada added extra flights to assist with the evacuation before suspending services due to the fires.
Yellowknife Airport is a central hub, with large and small carriers operating to ensure connections to cities across Canada. Air Canada Express, Air North, Canadian North, Northwestern Air Lease, and WestJet provide regularly scheduled air services to destinations in southern Canada. Other airlines that offer services to and from Yellowknife include Air Tindi, Buffalo Airways, North-Wright Airways, and Northwestern Air.
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Airlines and destinations
Yellowknife Airport (IATA: YZF, ICAO: CYZF) is a medium-sized airport in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, Canada. The airport is part of the National Airports System and is operated by the Government of the Northwest Territories. It is classified as an airport of entry by Nav Canada and is staffed by the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA).
Yellowknife Airport offers only domestic flights. There are 25 airports in Canada that have direct flights from Yellowknife Airport, and 6 airlines flying from Yellowknife to 25 airports worldwide. The airport handled 604,000 passengers in 2024, with around 655 flights departing from Yellowknife every month, or 154 flights each week.
The most popular routes from Yellowknife are Edmonton, Hay River, and Vancouver. Direct flights to Calgary are offered by WestJet, and the only airline with direct flights to Cambridge Bay is Canadian North. The longest flight from Yellowknife Airport is a 1,925-mile (3,098 km) non-stop route to Ottawa YOW, which takes around 4 hours and 10 minutes and is operated by Air North. Other airlines that offer service into and out of Yellowknife include Northwestern Air Lease, Buffalo Airways, North-Wright Airways, and Air Tindi.
Some other nearby airports to Yellowknife Airport include Wekweètì Airport (YFJ / CYWE), which is about 193 km from Yellowknife, and Lutselk'e Airport (YSG / CYLK), which is 193 km from Yellowknife and offers domestic flights from Lutselke, Canada. Whatì Airport (YLE / CEM3) is another option, located 206 km from Yellowknife and offering domestic flights from Whati, Canada.
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Amenities and services
Yellowknife Airport (YZF) is a full-service airport located in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, Canada. It is a vital hub for various operations, including cargo, charters, general aviation, medical travel, National Defense programs, and commercial air services. The airport is within a five-minute drive from downtown Yellowknife and serves as a gateway to the northern regions of Canada.
Yellowknife Airport offers a range of amenities and services to cater to the needs of its passengers. The airport has a variety of facilities to keep passengers comfortable, engaged, and entertained during their stay.
Terminal 1 is the largest hub at the airport, serving as the operational base for Air Canada, the country's flag carrier. Terminal 1 offers a range of amenities, including:
- LEX Kiosks to help with wayfinding
- Parking pay stations, MBTA ticket machines, and Santander ATMs
- First-aid counters and medical facilities
- Lounges, such as the American Airlines Admiral Club lounge, offering conference rooms, shower facilities, newspapers, magazines, and snacks
Across all terminals, passengers can access the following amenities:
- Folded changing tables and breastfeeding rooms in all male and female restrooms
- Assisted-care restrooms with folding changing tables, sinks, and toilets in the pre-security and post-security areas
- Nursing or nursery rooms equipped with sinks, changing counters, and fold-down seats
- Kidport, offering fun activities for children
In addition to these amenities, Yellowknife Airport also has its own fire and rescue service, with a team of ten firefighters. The airport is also staffed by the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), with officers handling general aviation aircraft with up to 15 passengers. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police ("G" Division) maintains a hangar for its air section just south of the passenger terminal.
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Transport to and from the airport
Yellowknife Airport (IATA: YZF, ICAO: CYZF) is located in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, Canada. The airport is part of the National Airports System and is operated by the Government of the Northwest Territories. The airport has regular scheduled passenger services and several freight services.
Yellowknife Airport is conveniently located close to the town, and it is possible to walk or cycle to and from the airport. For those who prefer not to walk, there are several other transport options available:
- Taxi: A typical taxi ride into Yellowknife costs around $15-20 and takes about 10-15 minutes depending on your final destination. Taxi services are available 24 hours a day, and taxi companies operating to and from the airport include Diamond Cabs, City Cabs, and Aurora Taxi.
- Hotel Shuttle: Some hotels offer a shuttle service to and from the airport. This may be included in your booking or available for an additional fee. Check with your hotel for more information.
- Tour Company Pickup: If you have booked a tour or package with a tour company, they may offer airport pickups. Tour guides will often be waiting inside the terminal building between the baggage carousel and the exit doors, holding a sign with the company name or your name on it.
- Car Rental: If you prefer to drive yourself, car rental services are available at the airport. Keep in mind that Yellowknife is a 19-hour drive from Edmonton, with approximately 1500 kilometers of forest and wilderness to explore along the way.
- Bus: There are also bus services that operate to and from the airport.
Airlines and Destinations:
Several airlines offer services into and out of Yellowknife Airport, including:
- WestJet
- Air Canada
- Air North (offering direct flights from Whitehorse and Ottawa)
- Canadian North (offering direct service from Norman Wells, Fort Simpson, Kugluktuk, Hay River, Rankin Inlet, and Edmonton, Alberta)
- Northwestern Air Lease
- Buffalo Airways
- North-Wright Airways
- Air Tindi
The airport also serves as a gateway to other communities throughout the Northwest Territories, Nunavut, and Yukon. For those seeking international travel, the closest major airports are Edmonton International Airport (YEG) and Calgary International Airport (YYC), located 1522 km and 1782 km away, respectively.
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Alternative airports
Yellowknife Airport (IATA: YZF, ICAO: CYZF) is located in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, Canada. The airport is part of the National Airports System and is operated by the Government of the Northwest Territories. It is the most convenient airport for flying into Yellowknife, with 6 airlines flying to Yellowknife from 25 airports around the world, as of July 2025.
However, there are alternative airports near Yellowknife that could provide other options for reaching the destination. The closest alternatives are Lac La Martre (YLE) and Wekweeti (YFJ/CYWE). Wekweètì Airport is about 193 km from Yellowknife Airport and has domestic flights from Wekweeti, Canada. Lutselk'e Airport (YSG/CYLK) is another major airport 193 km from Yellowknife, with domestic flights from Lutselke, Canada. Whatì Airport (YLE/CEM3) is 206 km away and serves Whati, Canada. Gamètì/Rae Lakes Airport (YRA/CYRA) is 298 km from Yellowknife Airport and serves Gameti, Canada.
Other alternative airports further afield include Edmonton International Airport (YEG/CYEG), Fort McMurray Airport (YMM/CYMM), Calgary International Airport (YYC/CYYC), Saskatoon John G. Diefenbaker International Airport (YXE/CYXE), and Regina International Airport (YQR/CYQR). These airports offer varying distances and routes to reach Yellowknife, providing additional options for travellers.
It is worth noting that all flights to Yellowknife are currently domestic flights within Canada. To reach Yellowknife from another country, a flight with a stopover is required, such as through Toronto or Vancouver.
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Frequently asked questions
YZF (IATA) and CYZF (ICAO).
Yellowknife Airport is approximately 6 km from the centre of Yellowknife.
Some of the airlines that fly to Yellowknife Airport include WestJet, Air Canada, Air North, Canadian North, Northwestern Air Lease, Buffalo Airways, North-Wright Airways, and Air Tindi.
Some of the alternate airports to Yellowknife Airport include Wekweètì Airport (YFJ / CYWE), Lutselk'e Airport (YSG / CYLK), and Whatì Airport (YLE / CEM3).
It is recommended to arrive at the airport at least two hours early for domestic flights and three hours early for international flights. You can also connect to free Wi-Fi at the airport.
