Wednesday January 31, 2024
Waterloo Region – The Region of Waterloo International Airport (YKF) had another record-breaking year in 2023. In total, 445,312 passengers travelled through YKF, an 18.39 per cent increase over 2022.
YKF continues to be the fastest-growing airport in Canada and consistently ranks as one of the top 20 busiest airports in the country. The success of commercial service has increased passengers and that growth is directly funding the expansion of the airport’s facilities.
“It is wonderful to see more residents using our airport to explore destinations and connect with family and friends,” said Karen Redman, Chair of the Region of Waterloo. “This increased growth reinforces our work on the 20-Year Airport Master Plan which guides development at YKF. The airport is a key piece of infrastructure and an economic driver for Waterloo Region.”
The current airport expansion project will enable YKF to support up to one million passengers per year – with no additional operating costs to get there. In 2023, phase two of the expansion reconfigured the air terminal building to provide an enhanced passenger experience. The project included self-service kiosks and common-use airline counters to improve check-in. A third security line that speeds passenger screening and, a new baggage system, with self-service bag drop and expanded sort area to streamline baggage handling. In addition, the airport constructed a domestic arrivals building and expanded the departure lounge in 2022.
Phase three of the expansion is currently underway with Airport Administration relocated to the Airport Operations Centre. The second-floor terminal offices will soon house the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) while the existing main floor CBSA space becomes a Primary Inspection Line for passengers returning to Canada.
Flair Airlines, Sunwing and WestJet provide scheduled air service to Calgary, Cancun, Fort Lauderdale, Las Vegas, Orlando Sanford, Puerto Vallarta, Punta Cana, Vancouver and Varadero. Summer 2024 schedule includes the return of Abbotsford, Charlottetown, Deer Lake, Halifax, Edmonton, St. Johns and Winnipeg. For more information visit www.waterlooairport.ca.
