Exhibition highlights airport’s role during World War II as part of St. Catharines 150 celebrations

Thursday, June 11, 2026

Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON – Today, Niagara District Airport (YCM), alongside the St. Catharines Museum and Welland Canals Centre and the City of St. Catharines unveiled a new historical exhibition in the airport terminal.

The exhibition, titled The Airport and the Second World War, was curated by St. Catharines Museum and Welland Canals Centre supervisor of historical services/curator, Kathleen Powell.

“The St. Catharines Museum and Welland Canals Centre is thrilled to partner with Niagara District Airport in the development and installation of this exhibition,” says Powell. “Telling the stories of our community in the places where they happened is an important part of the outreach work we do to bring our city’s history alive.”

The installation explores how the St. Catharines Flying Club, located at the airport, helped establish flight training in the Niagara region and contributed to Canada’s aviation efforts during the Second World War. This work led to the airport’s designation in 1940 as the No. 9 Elementary Flying Training School under the British
Commonwealth Air Training Plan, making it a significant training centre for the Royal Canadian Air Force.

“We’re grateful to the St. Catharines Museum for bringing this important part of Niagara District Airport’s history to life,” says Dan Pilon, chief executive officer of the airport.

The wartime expansion of the airport not only supported the Allied training effort but also helped establish the infrastructure and aviation activity that would support the growth of civilian aviation in the years that followed.

Today, that history remains an important part of the airport’s story and ongoing role in the Niagara region.

“As we reflect on the airport’s role as a flight training school during the Second World War, we recognize the people and milestones that greatly influenced the airport becoming what it is today, as well as the sacrifices that were made by those who went on to serve in the war,” Pilon adds. “This exhibit ensures those contributions are preserved and remembered, while reinforcing the foundation they continue to provide for the airport’s future growth and success.”

This partnership collaboration between the Airport and the St. Catharines Museum is part of the City of St. Catharines’ 150th anniversary celebrations, where they are celebrating important milestones in their history.

“As we celebrate the 150th anniversary of St. Catharines being incorporated as a City, it’s been a great opportunity to highlight the stories that connect us,” says Mayor Mat Siscoe, City of St. Catharines. “This MEDIA RELEASEpartnership between the Museum and the Airport brings an important part of our local history to life, reminding us that while every story is unique, together they form the shared history and common ground of our community. I’m excited to see this collaboration continue and help tell even more of St. Catharines’ story in the years ahead.”

The team at YCM warmly invites travellers to explore the exhibition during their next visit to Niagara District Airport.

About Niagara District Airport

Niagara District Airport (YCM) is a regional transportation hub located in Niagara-on-the-Lake. The Airport serves as a premier gateway to the Niagara region’s award-winnin g wineries, theatres, golf courses, casinos, and the world-famous Niagara Falls. Strategically positioned near major tourism, business, and wine destinations, YCM plays a key role in enhancing regional connectivity and future growth. The Airport is owned by the City of Niagara Falls, City of St. Catharines, and Town of Niagara-on-the-Lake, and governed by a nine-member commission.

Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON – Niagara District Airport (YCM) is recognizing Emergency Preparedness Week from
May 3 to 9, 2026.
This year’s theme of Be Prepared. Know Your Risks., reinforces the importance of proactive emergency planning. As part of this initiative, the airport’s operations team is undertaking its annual Emergency Response Plan review this week in preparation for the busy season ahead.

“Emergency preparedness is a top priority at YCM,” says Alick Feller, manager airside/groundside services. “Our team works year-round to ensure the safety of our travellers, tenants, businesses, and staff, and tests and reviews our Emergency Response Plan annually to ensure emergency readiness on an ongoing basis.”

Every year, the airport conducts a comprehensive emergency response table top exercise onsite, with participation and engagement from key airport partners, including Niagara-on-the-Lake Fire and Emergency Services, Niagara Regional Police Service, Niagara Emergency Medical Services, Royal Canadian Mounted Police, NAV CANADA, Allied Aviation, St. Catharines Flying Club, and CARES CASARA. These annual exercises strengthen coordination, communication, and collaborative emergency response readiness both at Niagara District Airport and across the Niagara region.

EPWeek2026 is a national event coordinated by Public Safety Canada, in close collaboration with provinces, territories, and partners. More information is available at https://www.canada.ca

About Niagara District Airport

Niagara District Airport (YCM) is a regional transportation hub located in Niagara-on-the-Lake. The Airport serves as a premier gateway to the Niagara region’s award-winning wineries, theatres, golf courses, casinos, and the world-famous Niagara Falls. Strategically positioned near major tourism, business, and wine destinations, YCM plays a key role in enhancing regional connectivity and future growth. The Airport is owned by the City of Niagara Falls, City of St. Catharines, and Town of Niagara-on-the-Lake, and governed by a nine-member commission. Follow the Airport at www.niagaradistrictairport.com.

2 December 2025 – Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON – Niagara District Airport (NDA) is partnering with #NotInMyCity, Royal Canadian Mounted Police Federal Policing – Central Region (RCMP), and Crime Stoppers of Niagara to raise awareness and help put an end to sexual exploitation and sex trafficking in Canada.

As a #NotInMyCity airport ally, NDA now has signage on display in its terminal building and will be regularly participating in awareness campaigns across the organization, including posting educational content on its social media channels. All staff have completed #NotInMyCity’s aviation-focused e-learning program, available for free to airport employees across the country.

Human trafficking is one of the fastest-growing crimes in Canada, and 93 per cent of reported victims are Canadians being trafficked domestically. Often, these cases go unnoticed and unreported due to manipulation, fear, threats from traffickers, shame, language barriers, or mistrust of authority.

Quotes

“Our airport partners are essential allies in our mission to disrupt human trafficking in Canada. Niagara District Airport’s commitment to joining our network sends a clear message that exploitation will not be tolerated and strengthens our shared work to build safer, more informed communities.”– Paul Brandt, Founder, #NotInMyCity

“We are proud to be partnering with #NotInMyCity, RCMP, and Crime Stoppers of Niagara to help raise awareness and put an end to sex trafficking in Canada. As a #NotInMyCity airport ally, we are committed to equipping our staff with the training and resources that position them to identify the risk factors of those being potentially trafficked and how to safely respond in those situations.” – Dan Pilon, Chief Executive Officer, Niagara District Airport

“RCMP Federal Policing – Central Region is committed to combating human trafficking in all its forms. The RCMP works with municipal, provincial, national and international partners on investigations and enforcement actions to deter, disrupt and dismantle human trafficking and bring those who benefit from it to justice. The RCMP recognizes the importance of education on this topic and the important work that Non-Government Organizations play in educating the public and in supporting survivors of human trafficking.” – S/Sgt. Sylvain Tessier, Detachment Commander, Niagara-on-the-Lake Detachment, RCMP

“Crime Stoppers of Niagara is dedicated to helping our community recognize the signs of human trafficking and giving them a safe, anonymous way to speak up. By partnering with Niagara District Airport and #NotInMyCity, we’re ensuring more eyes are trained to recognize the signs and more people know how they can report safely. Together, we are strengthening Niagara’s frontline against exploitation. Your tip could be the first step toward someone’s freedom.” – Mike Britton, Executive Director, Crime Stoppers of Niagara

About #NotInMyCity

Led by Paul Brandt, #NotInMyCity is a powerful movement dedicated to ending sexual exploitation and human trafficking in Canada, with a special focus on protecting our children and youth. United with key partners, we’re spreading awareness, educating communities, and deploying a strategic plan for real, lasting change. Dive into our interactive e-learning course, crafted alongside global experts, to deepen your understanding of these critical issues. Join the thousands who’ve already taken a stand with us. Together, let’s create a safer future for all. #NotInMyCity—change starts here. Learn more at www.notinmycity.ca.

About Niagara District Airport

Niagara District Airport is a 362-acre regional transportation hub located in Niagara-on-the-Lake, surrounded by vineyards and protected countryside. Strategically positioned near major tourism, business, and wine destinations, NDA plays a key role in supporting economic development, regional connectivity, and future growth opportunities. The airport is governed by a nine-member commission with representation from the City of Niagara Falls, City of St. Catharines, and Town of Niagara-on-the-Lake. Learn more at www.niagaradistrictairport.com.

About Royal Canadian Mounted Police Federal Policing – Central Region

RCMP Federal Policing – Central Region is comprised of five main pillars: National Security, Sensitive and International Investigations, Organized Crime, Border Integrity and Cyber, Money laundering, Sanctions & Capital Market Enforcement. With a presence across Canada, the RCMP is uniquely positioned to protect our border between ports of entry. We work in close collaboration with government partners at both the national and international levels to combat organized crime, with a particular focus on addressing human trafficking within Canada and at our borders. Canada is investing $1.3 billion to bolster security at the border to keep Canadians safe. Information is available here: The Government of Canada’s Border Plan.

About Crime Stoppers of Niagara

Crime Stoppers of Niagara is a charity that empowers citizens to support public safety through anonymous reporting and community education. We provide a completely anonymous way to share information about criminal activity—including human trafficking—through phone, online, and mobile tips, with all information sent securely to police partners, ensuring the tipster’s identity is never known. Part of the international Crime Stoppers network, the Niagara program operates locally across all 12 municipalities, engaging volunteers, donors, and community partners to help keep Niagara safe.

OCTOBER 28, 2025

Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON – Today, Niagara District Airport (the “Airport”) released its 2025 – 2045 Master Plan, a community-informed roadmap that presents a bold, sustainable vision for the next 20 years.

The Master Plan outlines the path forward in transforming the Airport from a general aviation hub into a modern regional gateway, bringing commercial passenger flights to the heart of the region, and unlocking significant growth in Niagara’s tourism industry. The Airport’s redevelopment is projected to generate more than $1 billion in economic output and bring over seven million passengers through the region over the course of the plan – a transformative step forward in enhancing Niagara’s connectivity and economic vitality.

Several upgrades to the Airport terminal building and grounds are necessary to support this growth, including additional parking, extending the main runway and terminal building, and establishing Canadian Air Transport Security Authority and Canada Border Services Agency amenities.

“As one of Canada’s top tourism regions, Niagara deserves an airport that makes it convenient for national and international visitors to enjoy our region’s wineries, restaurants, and attractions,” said Greg Wight, Chair of the Niagara District Airport Commission. “What makes our Airport’s unique is the unmatched location. The visionoutlined in our Master Plan demonstrates how strategic, sustainable investments in air access to Niagara will boost tourism, strengthen our regional economy, and position the Airport as an indispensable gateway to our region and beyond.”

Centrally located in the region and just a 12 minute drive to historic old town Niagara-on-the-Lake, downtown St. Catharines, and the world-famous Niagara Falls, the Airport is uniquely positioned to become a vital aviation hub for the region’s half-a-million residents and 12 million annual visitors. While tourism growth in Niagara has remained relatively flat since 2013 (excluding pandemic-related impacts), the Master Plan sees improved air access – including direct commercial flights – as an opportunity to attract new visitor markets, such as more overnight visitors, to help boost the region’s tourism economy.

At completion of the plan, the Airport will be positioned to accommodate nearly 600,000 passengers annually. Modernizing the Airport means more jobs for local workers, more customers for Niagara businesses, and an overall enhanced visitor experience, offering people more reasons to stay and enjoy all the region has to offer.

The Master Plan includes input from Niagara residents, local businesses, tourism and industry leaders, municipal representatives, Airport staff, Airport businesses and user groups, and government agencies. Feedback was gathered through interviews, public information sessions, and a project website.

With the Niagara District Airport Commission’s approval of the Master Plan, the Airport is moving forward with next steps as outlined in the plan. This includes pursuing funding strategies, engaging with airline carriers, and launching community engagement initiatives to keep the public informed and involved.

Public Information Session

Residents, business owners, community members, and media are invited to attend the upcoming public information session on November 13, 2025, from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. This will be an opportunity for attendees to learn more about the Master Plan, ask questions, and provide feedback.

Master Plan and Executive Summary The Niagara District Airport 2025 – 2045 Master Plan, as well as its Executive Summary document, is available on the Airport’s website: www.niagaradistrictairport.ca.

Quotes

“We’re the biggest population in Canada without regular daily scheduled flights. This is the road map to get us there.” – Mayor Jim Diodati, City of Niagara Falls

“The Master Plan presents an exciting vision for Niagara’s future, and it’s a vision that recognizes the Airport’s unique potential to strengthen our economy and expand access to the region. While there’s still important work ahead to ensure this vision is realized responsibly and sustainably, today marks a meaningful step toward unlocking new opportunities for residents, businesses, and visitors alike.” – Mayor Mat Siscoe, City of St. Catharines

“The release of the Niagara District Airport’s Master Plan is an important step in shaping the future direction of this regional asset. The Niagara District Airport continues to play a key role in fostering local connectivity and economic growth, and the Town is committed to continued collaboration with our municipal partners to review the plan and identify opportunities that best serve our residents, businesses, and the broader community.” – Lord Mayor Gary Zalepa, Town of Niagara-on-the-Lake

“At the Greater Niagara Chamber of Commerce (GNCC), we believe that the Niagara District Airport holds transformative economic potential for our region. Niagara’s tourism sector has become world-class even without a full commercial airport in the region; with the developments outlined in the plan, it could become world-leading. The benefits, however, would not be limited to tourism alone – a number of sectors would experience significant growth, creating opportunities that extend across the broader economy and, with that, to the people of Niagara. The impact on
economic growth, jobs, and prosperity for Niagara would be substantial. On behalf of the Niagara business community it is our privilege to represent, we fully support this plan.” – Mishka Balsom, CEO, Greater Niagara Chamber of Commerce

About Niagara District Airport

Niagara District Airport is a 362-acre regional transportation hub located in Niagara-on-the-Lake, surrounded by vineyards and protected countryside. Strategically positioned near major tourism, business, and wine destinations, the Airport plays a key role in supporting economic development, regional connectivity, and future growth opportunities.

The Airport is governed by a nine-member commission with representation from the City of Niagara Falls, City of St. Catharines, and Town of Niagara-on-the-Lake.