How to Survive in Canada Busiest Airports ?

Canada’s stunning natural landscapes attract millions of tourists annually. This influx of visitors generates significant air traffic, particularly in certain regions. Vancouver serves as a major transpacific hub and gateway to popular Asian destinations, contributing to heavy air traffic in the area. Additionally, the Eastern Triangle comprising Ottawa, Toronto, and Montreal sees a high volume of air travel.

This article examines the five busiest airports in Canada, ranked by the total number of passengers they served in 2023. The data presented is sourced from WorldData.info

Toronto-Pearson International Airport

Total Passenger in 2023: 40.3 million

• IATA Code : YYZ | ICAO Code: CYYZ
• Distance from City Center:5 kilometers (14.0 mi) northwest of Downtown Toronto
• Service Area: Greater Toronto Area
• Change from 2022 : +19.6%

As expected, the airport serving Canada’s largest city was the country’s busiest in 2023. Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ), which serves as the primary hub for Air Canada’s flights to the Atlantic region, offers routes to numerous destinations across Canada, the United States, Europe, Asia, and South America.

Vancouver International Airport

Passengers in 2023: 24.9 million

• IATA Code : YVR | ICAO Code: CYVR
• Distance from City Center: 12 km (7.5 mi) from Downtown Vancouver
• Service Area: Metro Vancouver
• Change from 2022 : +30.9%

As Canada’s principal port city on the Pacific coast, Vancouver also functions as the country’s gateway to the Asia-Pacific region. The airport offers multiple daily flights to destinations such as Hong Kong (HKG), Tokyo (NRT/HND), and Shanghai (PVG). In addition to Air Canada, numerous other international airlines, including British Airways, Cathay Pacific, and Lufthansa, maintain a presence at Vancouver International Airport.

Montreal-Trudeau International Airport

Passengers in 2023: 21.1 million

• IATA Code : YUL | ICAO Code: CYUL
• Distance from City Center: 20 km (12 mi) west of Downtown Montreal
• Service Area: Greater Montreal
• Change from 2022 : +32.3%

While Montreal-Trudeau International Airport (YUL) had fallen to fourth place in 2021, it has since regained the third spot among Canada’s busiest airports. In 2023, the airport saw an over 32% increase in passenger numbers compared to the previous year, with more than 21 million travelers passing through its facilities.

In addition to serving as a hub for Air Canada’s select international routes, Montreal-Trudeau hosts a variety of other international airlines, including Qatar Airways, Air France, Royal Air Maroc, Tunisair, and Turkish Airlines.

Calgary International Airport

Passengers in 2023: 18.5 million

• IATA Code : YYC | ICAO Code: CYYC
• Distance from City Center: 17 kilometers (11 mi) northeast of downtown
• Service Area: Calgary Metropolitan Region
• Change from 2022 : +27.9%

Located approximately 11 miles (17 km) northeast of downtown Calgary, Calgary International Airport (YYC) is the busiest airport in the province of Alberta. In 2021, the airport saw an 11.5% increase in passenger traffic, which can be attributed to the significant presence of WestJet. From Calgary, WestJet operates flights to numerous destinations in the United States and Europe, such as Denver (DEN), San Diego (SAN), Amsterdam (AMS), and Rome (FCO). Additionally, the airport offers seasonal direct flights to several Hawaiian cities, including Honolulu (HNL), Kailua-Kona (KOA), and Lihue (LIH).

Edmonton International Airport

Passengers in 2023: 7.5 million

• IATA Code : YEG | ICAO Code: CYEG
• Distance from City Center: (26 km – 16 mi) south southwest of Downtown Edmonton
• Service Area: Edmonton Metropolitan Region
• Change from 2022 : +28.2%

Edmonton International Airport has historically been a crucial transportation hub within Canada, serving approximately eight million passengers annually over the past decade. However, the COVID-19 pandemic dealt a significant blow to the airport’s operations. In 2020, passenger numbers plummeted to just 2.6 million, and although they increased slightly to 2.8 million in 2021, the airport’s passenger traffic remained well below its pre-pandemic levels.

Read More About How to Survive in Australia Busiest Airports ?

How Can You Stand out from the Crowds at Canada Airports

The desire to arrive and depart without delay is universal among flyers. That, however, may be wishful thinking at the five biggest airports in Canada during the holiday season. For a pleasant and trouble-free experience at the terminal, consider the following.

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