International Airports in Canada play a vital role in connecting the country with the rest of the world, supporting global travel, tourism, immigration, and trade. Canada is a vast country with diverse provinces, and its network of international airports ensures that both domestic and international travelers can easily access cities across the nation. From the busy Toronto Pearson International Airport in Ontario to Vancouver International Airport in British Columbia and Montréal–Trudeau International Airport in Quebec, these airports act as key entry points for millions of passengers every year. This guide provides a comprehensive overview of the international airports in Canada, organized by provinces and cities, while also highlighting the busiest hubs, transportation links, and their importance to Canada’s economy and global connectivity. See the full List of International Airports in Canada and their locations in this article.
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- List of International Airports in Canada
- Major International Airports in Canada
- International Airports by Province
- Top 10 Busiest Airports in Canada
- Transportation and Accessibility
- Role of Canadian Airports in Tourism and Immigration
- Airlines Operating in Canada
- Conclusion
- Frequently Asked Questions on Airports in Canada.
List of International Airports in Canada
The following table highlights the major international airports across Canada, organized by city and province:
| Airport Name | City | Province |
|---|---|---|
| Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ) | Toronto | Ontario |
| Ottawa Macdonald–Cartier International Airport (YOW) | Ottawa | Ontario |
| London International Airport (YXU) | London | Ontario |
| Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport (YTZ) | Toronto | Ontario |
| Montréal–Trudeau International Airport (YUL) | Montreal | Quebec |
| Québec City Jean Lesage International Airport (YQB) | Quebec City | Quebec |
| Vancouver International Airport (YVR) | Vancouver | British Columbia |
| Victoria International Airport (YYJ) | Victoria | British Columbia |
| Kelowna International Airport (YLW) | Kelowna | British Columbia |
| Calgary International Airport (YYC) | Calgary | Alberta |
| Edmonton International Airport (YEG) | Edmonton | Alberta |
| Winnipeg James Armstrong Richardson International Airport (YWG) | Winnipeg | Manitoba |
| Regina International Airport (YQR) | Regina | Saskatchewan |
| Saskatoon John G. Diefenbaker International Airport (YXE) | Saskatoon | Saskatchewan |
| Halifax Stanfield International Airport (YHZ) | Halifax | Nova Scotia |
| St. John’s International Airport (YYT) | St. John’s | Newfoundland & Labrador |
| Gander International Airport (YQX) | Gander | Newfoundland & Labrador |
| Charlottetown Airport (YYG) | Charlottetown | Prince Edward Island |
| Fredericton International Airport (YFC) | Fredericton | New Brunswick |
| Moncton Roméo LeBlanc International Airport (YQM) | Moncton | New Brunswick |
| Saint John Airport (YSJ) | Saint John | New Brunswick |
| Whitehorse International Airport (YXY) | Whitehorse | Yukon |
| Yellowknife Airport (YZF) | Yellowknife | Northwest Territories |
| Iqaluit Airport (YFB) | Iqaluit | Nunavut |
Major International Airports in Canada
While Canada has numerous international airports, several stand out as the busiest and most significant due to their passenger volume, destinations served, and role in global connectivity:
- Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ), Ontario – The largest and busiest airport in Canada, serving as the primary hub for Air Canada and offering connections to all continents.
- Vancouver International Airport (YVR), British Columbia – Canada’s main gateway to Asia and the Pacific, consistently ranked among the best airports in North America.
- Montréal–Trudeau International Airport (YUL), Quebec – The main international airport in Quebec, with extensive European and transatlantic routes.
- Calgary International Airport (YYC), Alberta – A vital hub for western Canada, particularly for travelers heading to the Rocky Mountains and international destinations.
- Edmonton International Airport (YEG), Alberta – Serves central and northern Alberta, offering a mix of domestic, US, and international routes.
- Ottawa Macdonald–Cartier International Airport (YOW), Ontario – Serves the nation’s capital with connections across North America and Europe.
- Halifax Stanfield International Airport (YHZ), Nova Scotia – Eastern Canada’s main gateway, connecting the Atlantic provinces with Europe and North America.
International Airports by Province
Ontario
Ontario has the highest concentration of international airports, including Toronto Pearson, Ottawa Macdonald–Cartier, London International, and Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport. Pearson is the primary international hub, while Ottawa’s airport serves government and diplomatic traffic.
Quebec
Montréal–Trudeau International Airport and Québec City Jean Lesage International Airport are Quebec’s major hubs. Montréal–Trudeau has extensive European connections, while Québec City airport offers seasonal flights to Europe and the US.
British Columbia
Vancouver International Airport is the province’s main gateway, complemented by Victoria and Kelowna airports which serve regional and international destinations.
Alberta
Calgary and Edmonton airports are Alberta’s primary international hubs, with Calgary serving as the busiest in the region due to its tourism connections.
Manitoba
Winnipeg James Armstrong Richardson International Airport serves as the primary airport for Manitoba, with routes to the US, Europe, and seasonal international destinations.
Saskatchewan
Regina and Saskatoon airports handle Saskatchewan’s international travel needs, offering flights primarily to US and seasonal destinations.
Atlantic Canada
- Nova Scotia: Halifax Stanfield International Airport is the busiest.
- Newfoundland and Labrador: St. John’s and Gander airports serve international routes.
- New Brunswick: Fredericton, Moncton, and Saint John airports provide international services.
- Prince Edward Island: Charlottetown Airport connects seasonally to the US and Europe.
Northern Canada
- Yukon: Whitehorse International Airport connects to Alaska and beyond.
- Northwest Territories: Yellowknife Airport provides international and domestic services.
- Nunavut: Iqaluit Airport is the main hub for Arctic travel and limited international routes.
Top 10 Busiest Airports in Canada
| Rank | Airport Name | Province | Annual Passengers (approx.) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Toronto Pearson International (YYZ) | Ontario | 50+ million |
| 2 | Vancouver International (YVR) | British Columbia | 25+ million |
| 3 | Montréal–Trudeau International (YUL) | Quebec | 20+ million |
| 4 | Calgary International (YYC) | Alberta | 18+ million |
| 5 | Edmonton International (YEG) | Alberta | 8+ million |
| 6 | Ottawa Macdonald–Cartier (YOW) | Ontario | 5+ million |
| 7 | Winnipeg International (YWG) | Manitoba | 4+ million |
| 8 | Halifax Stanfield (YHZ) | Nova Scotia | 4+ million |
| 9 | Victoria International (YYJ) | British Columbia | 2+ million |
| 10 | Kelowna International (YLW) | British Columbia | 2+ million |
Transportation and Accessibility
Canadian international airports are well connected by road, bus networks, and in major cities by dedicated express train services. Toronto Pearson is linked to downtown Toronto via the UP Express train, Vancouver International is connected through the SkyTrain Canada Line, and Montréal–Trudeau has bus connections with rail projects underway. Regional airports often rely on shuttle services and highway access.
Role of Canadian Airports in Tourism and Immigration
Canada’s airports play an essential role in welcoming international students, immigrants, and tourists. Toronto, Vancouver, and Montréal airports are the first entry points for many newcomers under Canada’s immigration programs, while airports in Alberta, Manitoba, and Atlantic Canada serve specific regional migration and tourism flows. Airports also boost Canada’s economy by facilitating international trade and business connections.
Airlines Operating in Canada
The country’s largest airlines include:
- Air Canada – Canada’s flag carrier with extensive international networks.
- WestJet Airlines – A major competitor focusing on North America and Europe.
- Porter Airlines – Known for regional flights, mainly in Eastern Canada.
- Air Transat – Specializes in leisure and transatlantic routes.
SEE ALSO: Complete List of Airlines in Canada by Types and Categories
Additionally, global carriers such as Emirates, British Airways, Lufthansa, Delta, and Qatar Airways operate in major Canadian airports, strengthening international connectivity.
DISCOVER ALSO: Cheapest Cities in Canada for Students to Live and Study
Frequently Asked Questions – List of International Airports in Canada
1. How many international airports are there in Canada?
Canada has over 20 international airports spread across its provinces and territories, with Toronto Pearson, Vancouver, and Montréal–Trudeau being the busiest.
2. Which is the busiest international airport in Canada?
Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ) is the busiest, handling more than 50 million passengers annually and serving as Air Canada’s main hub.
3. What are the main international airports in Ontario?
Ontario’s key international airports include Toronto Pearson (YYZ), Ottawa Macdonald–Cartier (YOW), London International (YXU), and Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport (YTZ).
4. Which international airport is the best for visiting British Columbia?
Vancouver International Airport (YVR) is the primary gateway to British Columbia, with Victoria International (YYJ) and Kelowna International (YLW) serving regional traffic.
5. Does Quebec have more than one international airport?
Yes, Quebec has Montréal–Trudeau International Airport (YUL) and Québec City Jean Lesage International Airport (YQB), both offering domestic and international services.
6. Which airports serve Western Canada?
Calgary International Airport (YYC) and Edmonton International Airport (YEG) are the main gateways to Western Canada, alongside Vancouver International (YVR).
7. What are the major international airports in Atlantic Canada?
Halifax Stanfield (YHZ), St. John’s (YYT), Gander (YQX), Fredericton (YFC), Moncton (YQM), Saint John (YSJ), and Charlottetown (YYG) connect Atlantic provinces to international destinations.
8. Are there international airports in Northern Canada?
Yes, Whitehorse International (YXY) in Yukon, Yellowknife (YZF) in the Northwest Territories, and Iqaluit (YFB) in Nunavut serve as international entry points.
9. What airlines operate at Canadian international airports?
Canadian airlines include Air Canada, WestJet, Porter, and Air Transat. Global airlines such as British Airways, Emirates, Lufthansa, and Delta also operate in Canada.
10. How are Canadian airports connected to city centers?
Most large airports are linked by express trains, metro systems, and bus services. For example, Toronto Pearson is connected by the UP Express, while Vancouver Airport is linked via the SkyTrain.
SEE ALSO: List of Domestic Airports in Canada by Regions and Location
Conclusion – List of International Airports in Canada
International Airports in Canada form a vast and highly efficient network, ensuring accessibility to every corner of the country while also maintaining strong global links. From Toronto Pearson, the busiest airport, to regional hubs in Atlantic and Northern Canada, each airport plays a unique role in supporting tourism, immigration, and economic growth. Canada’s airports are not only gateways for millions of international travelers but also critical pillars in connecting provinces and communities to the rest of the world.