Ruth Haines
Edmonton International Airport, Canada's largest airport by land area, is referred to as YEG, an acronym from the IATA identifier. YEG is used for luggage, while CYEG is used for pilots and aircraft. Edmonton International Airport serves as the headquarters for two major Canadian airlines, Flair Airlines and Morningstar Air Express.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name of the airport | Edmonton International Airport |
| Official code | YEG (previously EIA) |
| Official code full form | IATA identifier |
| Location | Opposite side of the city from the military airport at RCAF Station Namao, Alberta, Canada |
| Land area | 28 sqkm or 7000 acres |
| Ranking by passenger traffic | 5th busiest airport in Canada |
| Ranking by aircraft movement | 9th busiest airport in Canada |
| Passenger traffic in 2024 | 7,919,690 |
| Headquarters for airlines | Flair Airlines, Morningstar Air Express |
| Accessibility | Barrier-free and accessible travel experience for people with disabilities |
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What You'll Learn
Edmonton International Airport is the largest Canadian airport by land area
The Edmonton International Airport, also known as YEG, is Canada's largest airport by land area, covering just under 28 square kilometres (7,000 acres). Located 14 nautical miles south-southwest of Downtown Edmonton in Leduc County on Highway 2, the airport is easily accessible from Alberta Highway 2, south of Edmonton. The airport is well-connected to the region's wider transit system, with Edmonton Transit System (ETS) providing express service between the airport and the Century Park LRT Station. Additionally, Leduc Transit's Route 10 connects the airport to the city of Leduc, and coach services are available from Jasper National Park via Edmonton, Edson, and Hinton.
The history of Edmonton International Airport dates back to November 15, 1960, when it first opened its doors. Initially, the airport's terminal was an arch hangar, and international service commenced soon after. By 1961, Canadian Pacific had introduced Douglas DC-8 jetliners for nonstop flights to Amsterdam. During the 1960s and early 1970s, the airport thrived, with airlines such as Pacific Western Airlines operating Boeing 707 charter flights to the UK and other European destinations. This growth continued into the 1970s, with the airport serving approximately 2 million passengers by 1980.
However, from the early 1980s to 1995, Edmonton International Airport experienced a decline in traffic due to the continued use of the Edmonton City Centre Airport and economic slowdown. In 1995, the tide turned with a plebiscite resulting in 77% of voters approving the consolidation of all scheduled jet passenger service at Edmonton International Airport. This led to the "1998–2005 Redevelopment Project," a three-phase initiative involving significant infrastructure enhancements.
Today, Edmonton International Airport is not just the largest by land area but also the 5th busiest airport in Canada by passenger traffic. In 2024, it served 7,919,690 passengers. The airport serves as the headquarters for two prominent Canadian airlines: Flair Airlines, a passenger carrier, and Morningstar Air Express, a cargo carrier. With its vast land area and busy passenger traffic, Edmonton International Airport plays a crucial role in facilitating travel and connecting people across Canada and beyond.
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It is the 5th busiest airport in Canada by passenger traffic
Edmonton International Airport, branded YEG Edmonton International Airport and located in Leduc County, is the fifth busiest airport in Canada by passenger traffic. It is also the largest major airport in Canada by total land area, covering just under 28 square kilometres (7,000 acres).
The airport is the primary air passenger and air cargo facility in the Edmonton Metropolitan Region of the Canadian province of Alberta. It is a hub facility for Northern Alberta and Northern Canada, with a catchment area of 1.8 million residents. The airport offers scheduled non-stop flights to major cities in Canada, the United States, Mexico, the Caribbean, Central America, and Europe.
YEG airport has a wide variety of routes, from local connections to Abbotsford, Charlottetown, Fort McMurray, and Hamilton, among others, along with long-haul routes to Jamaica, Mexico, Hawaii, and Amsterdam across the Atlantic. It is a hub for Flair Airlines and an important focus city for WestJet. The airport also serves as headquarters for the cargo carrier Morningstar Air Express.
The airport has experienced significant growth and decline in traffic over the years. During the 1970s, it witnessed rapid growth as the city of Edmonton expanded, serving approximately 2 million passengers by 1980. However, from the early 1980s to 1995, traffic declined due to the continued use of the Edmonton City Centre Airport and an economic slowdown. Growth returned in 1995, and in 1998, the airport embarked on a $282 million redevelopment project, expanding passenger capacity to 5.5 million.
In 2023, Edmonton International Airport served around eight million passengers, a 28.2% increase in passenger traffic compared to the previous year.
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The airport is accessible for people with disabilities
The Edmonton International Airport (YEG) is Canada's largest airport by land area, covering just under 28 square kilometres. It is also the fifth busiest airport by passenger traffic, serving 7,919,690 passengers in 2024.
Edmonton International Airport is committed to ensuring that everyone can enjoy a barrier-free and accessible travel experience. The airport is subject to the Accessible Transportation for Persons with Disabilities Regulations and offers a range of services to assist passengers with disabilities.
The airport recognises that more than eight per cent of people with disabilities, visible or invisible, require assistance when travelling. As such, they have implemented several initiatives to improve accessibility, including:
- Aira Network: This service connects blind or visually impaired passengers with trained agents through the Aira smartphone app, providing guidance and assistance during their journey.
- Accessibility Plan: The airport has developed an Accessibility Plan to identify and address any barriers that individuals with disabilities may encounter. Feedback on the plan's implementation is welcomed and kept on record by the Manager of Passenger Experience and Terminal Services. Alternate formats of the plan, such as large print, Braille, or audio formats, are also available upon request.
- Accessible Transportation: The airport offers accessible parking options and specialised transit vehicles for individuals who cannot use regular transit services.
- Accessible Information: Edmonton International Airport provides accessible formats of information, such as Braille or electronic formats compatible with adaptive technology, to ensure that all passengers can access the information they need during their journey.
By prioritising accessibility and continuously improving its services, Edmonton International Airport strives to create an inclusive and community-oriented space that caters to the needs of all its passengers, including those with disabilities.
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The airport code YEG is from the IATA identifier
The airport code YEG is derived from the IATA identifier for Edmonton International Airport. The airport is Canada's largest by total land area, covering just under 28 square kilometres (7,000 acres). It is the fifth busiest airport by passenger traffic and the ninth busiest by aircraft movements, serving 7,919,690 passengers in 2024.
Edmonton International Airport opened on November 15, 1960, with an arch hangar as its first terminal. The airport soon began offering international flights, with Canadian Pacific Airlines operating nonstop flights to Amsterdam with Bristol Britannia turboprop aircraft several times a week. In 1961, Canadian Pacific introduced Douglas DC-8 jetliners on the same route. That same year, Northwest Airlines began operating daily Douglas DC-7C propliner service from Edmonton to New York City via Milwaukee, Minneapolis/St. Paul, and Winnipeg.
During the 1970s, the airport experienced rapid growth in traffic as the city of Edmonton expanded. By 1980, the airport served approximately 2 million passengers annually. However, from the early 1980s to 1995, traffic declined due to the continued use of Edmonton City Centre Airport and a slowing economy. In 1995, growth returned, and in 1998, the airport commenced a $282 million redevelopment project that included the construction of a new terminal and various other improvements.
Today, Edmonton International Airport is committed to accessibility and inclusivity, striving to create a barrier-free travel experience for all passengers, including those with disabilities. The airport provides accessible services and facilities, ensuring that everyone can enjoy a seamless journey through YEG.
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The airport opened on November 15, 1960
The Edmonton International Airport, also known as YEG, opened its doors on November 15, 1960. The airport's first terminal was an arch hangar, which is still in use today by Summit Air. Just three years later, in 1963, a new passenger terminal was opened, built in the international style. This terminal remains in use as the North Terminal.
The airport, which is Canada's largest by total land area, covering just under 28 square kilometres (7,000 acres), quickly gained international services. By 1960, Canadian Pacific Airlines was operating non-stop flights to Amsterdam with Bristol Britannia turboprop aircraft. The following year, Canadian Pacific introduced Douglas DC-8 jetliners on the same route, and US-based Northwest Airlines began daily services to several US cities, including New York. Trans-Canada Airlines (now Air Canada) joined the fray in 1962, offering direct flights to London and Paris.
As the city of Edmonton grew in the 1970s, so too did the airport, serving approximately 2 million passengers by 1980. However, from the early 1980s to 1995, traffic declined due to the continued use of the Edmonton City Centre Airport and economic slowdown. Growth returned in 1995, and in 1998, the airport embarked on a $282 million redevelopment project, which included the construction of a new terminal and various other improvements.
Today, YEG, the IATA identifier for Edmonton International Airport, is the fifth busiest airport in Canada by passenger traffic, serving 7,919,690 passengers in 2024. It is also the headquarters for two major Canadian airlines: Flair Airlines and Morningstar Air Express.
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Frequently asked questions
YEG is the International Air Transport Association code for Edmonton International Airport. It is also known as CYEG from the International Civil Aviation Organization.
YEG is Canada's largest major airport by total land area, covering just under 28 square kilometres (7,000 acres). It is the fifth busiest airport by passenger traffic, serving 7,919,690 passengers in 2024.
YEG has a strong commitment to accessibility. It is subject to the Accessible Transportation for Persons with Disabilities Regulations and offers a range of services to ensure a barrier-free travel experience for all passengers, including those with disabilities.
The Edmonton Transit System (ETS) provides express services between YEG and the Century Park LRT Station, connecting to the wider regional transit system. Leduc Transit's Route 10 also serves the airport, connecting it to the city of Leduc. Additionally, coach services are available from various locations, including Jasper National Park and Calgary.
