List of the Busiest Airports in Canada

Canada’s Busiest airports are vital in connecting the country to global destinations. They serve as hubs for domestic and international travel.

In 2024, these airports were key drivers of economic growth, supporting tourism, trade, and logistics.

Key Features of Canada’s Busiest Airports

• High Passenger Traffic: These airports consistently rank among the busiest in the world, handling millions of passengers annually.
• Major International Hubs: They connect Canada with global destinations, mainly Europe, Asia, the Americas, the Middle East, and Oceania.
• Airline Alliances and Carriers: Some of these airports serve as hubs for major global airlines such as British Airways, Lufthansa, Qatar, Air Canada, and KLM. 
• Economic Impact: These airports manage significant air cargo besides passenger services, contributing to local and international trade.

Top 5 Busiest Airports in Canada: 2024

The busiest airports in Canada, such as Toronto Pearson and Vancouver Airport, manage millions of passengers annually.

They are also characterized by their large passenger traffic and expansive international and regional flight networks. Thus, these airports are critical to the continent’s connectivity, trade, and tourism.

The top busiest airports in Canada in 2024 include:

Read: Busiest Airports in the Middle East

Toronto Pearson International Airport

• Location: Mississauga, Ontario, Canada
• Founding Date: 1939
• Area of Operations: Greater Toronto
• Owner & Transport Canada
• Operator: Greater Toronto Airports Authority
• Total Passengers: More than 40 million estimates
• Runways: Five (5) runways
• Terminals: Two (2) operational terminals
• Total Destinations: Over 180 destinations 
• Main Airlines: Air Canada (national carrier and a significant hub at Pearson), American Airlines, British Airways, Lufthansa, Delta Air Lines, Emirates, Cathay Pacific, and many others.
• Website: www.torontopearson.com/

Toronto Pearson is Canada’s largest and busiest airport, serving over 40 million passengers in 2024. It offers direct flights to nearly 180 domestic and international destinations. Located in Mississauga, Ontario, it is a gateway to Canada for millions of passengers annually. However, the airport operates close to full capacity, which leads to high passenger traffic and congestion, as well as flight delays and cancellations.

Vancouver International Airport 

• Location: Richmond, British Columbia, Canada
• Founding Date: 1931
• Area of Operations: Greater Vancouver
• Owner & Transport Canada
• Operator: Vancouver Airport Authority
• Total Passengers: 26.2 million
• Runways: Two (2) runways
• Terminals: Two (2) operational terminals
• Total Destinations: Over 130 destinations 
• Main Airlines: Air Canada, WestJet, Cathay Pacific, Singapore Airlines, and several international carriers.
• Website: https://www.yvr.ca/en/passengers

Vancouver International Airport is Canada’s second-busiest airport on Sea Island in Richmond, British Columbia. In 2024, it served about 26.2 million passengers. The airport is a major gateway between North America, Asia-Pacific, Europe, and other global regions. As a trans-Pacific hub, it has more direct flights to China than any other airport in North America or Europe.

Montréal–Trudeau International Airport

• Location: Dorval, Quebec, Canada
• Founding Date: 1941
• Area of Operations: Montréal
• Owner & Transport Canada
• Operator: Aéroports de Montréal
• Total Passengers: 22.4 million
• Runways: Two (2) runways
• Terminals: One (1) operational terminal
• Total Destinations: Over 150 destinations 
• Main Airlines: Air Canada
• Website: https://www.admtl.com/en-CA/

Montréal–Trudeau International Airport is the largest and busiest airport in Quebec and Canada, respectively. Named after Pierre Elliott Trudeau, Canada’s 15th Prime Minister, it is a vital gateway for passengers travelling between North America and international destinations. It offers flights to various destinations across Canada, the United States, and internationally, including Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Caribbean.

Calgary International Airport

• Location: Calgary, Alberta, Canada
• Founding Date: 1939
• Area of Operations: Calgary
• Owner & Transport Canada
• Operator: Calgary Airport Authority
• Total Passengers: 18.9 million
• Runways: Two (2) runways
• Terminals: Two (2) operational terminals
• Total Destinations: Over 180 destinations 
• Main Airlines: Air Canada, WestJet.
• Website: http://www.yyc.com/

Calgary International Airport, which served about 18.9 million passengers in 2024, is the primary gateway to Calgary, Alberta, and one of Canada’s busiest airports. It is a critical hub for domestic and international flights, connecting travellers to destinations across North America, Europe, Asia, and beyond. Known for its modern facilities and efficient operations, YYC is a major player in Canada’s aviation industry.

Edmonton International Airport

• Location: Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
• Founding Date: 1960
• Area of Operations: Edmonton
• Owner & Transport Canada
• Operator: Edmonton Airports
• Total Passengers: 7.9 million
• Runways: Two (2) runways
• Terminals: One (1) operational terminal
• Total Destinations: Over 180 destinations 
• Main Airlines: Air Canada, WestJet, Flair airlines
• Website: https://flyeia.com/

Edmonton International Airport is the primary gateway to the Edmonton Metropolitan Region and one of Canada’s busiest airports. It is a critical hub for passenger travel, cargo logistics, and economic development in western Canada.