Airport Prepares to Uplift Holiday Travel with Helpful Tips and Festive Activities
December 2, 2024 (Edmonton, AB) – By the end of 2024, Edmonton International Airport (YEG) expects to reach 7.8 million passengers, marking a 4.3 per cent increase compared to last year and 96 per cent of pre-pandemic passenger volumes.
During the upcoming holiday season, thousands of passengers will be travelling through YEG compared to average volumes, and the busiest days are expected to be December 20, 23 and 27. Some of the most popular routes travellers will be flying to during the holiday season include Cancun, Phoenix and Puerta Vallarta.
“YEG is looking forward to welcoming a surge of holiday travellers in December. We encourage everyone to allow extra time to navigate the airport and enjoy our various amenities before boarding their flights. Our goal is to provide an uplifting airport experience, with many attractions and activities to elevate the spirit of the holiday season.”
— James Jackson, Vice President Air Service and Business Development, Edmonton International Airport (YEG)
The Departures and Arrivals roadways at YEG are now open to the public after construction, allowing passengers to be dropped off and picked up directly at the terminal. Over the next month, YEG is offering several uplifting festive activities throughout the terminal. Travellers can look forward to live music, holiday choirs, roaming carollers, a pop-up craft station, a caricaturist and a host of other surprise activities.
To help passengers navigate the busy season, YEG and its partners, Canadian Air Transport Security Authority (CATSA) and Canadian Border Services Agency (CBSA), provide helpful airport travel tips.
Arrive Early: Arrive two hours before domestic departures and three hours before international departures.
Check Flight Status: Visit your airline’s website or flyeia.com before arriving at the airport.
Check-in Online: Use your airline’s online check-in services, download boarding passes ahead of time and tag bags at an airport kiosk.
Pack Smart: Check your airline’s website to confirm baggage allowances and follow all Canadian Air Transport Security Authority (CATSA) baggage requirements.
Leave Gifts Unwrapped: If travelling with gifts, leave them unwrapped as they may need to be inspected.
Book a Spot in the Security Line: Jump to the front of the line at Central Security by booking with YEG EXPRESS, available between 4:30 am and 12:30 pm daily.
Make Your Parking Reservation: Book parking in advance at one of YEG’s conveniently located locations, including ValuePark, Parkade, jetSet Parking or Priority Valet.
Shop, Dine and Relax: Arrive early to enjoy the whole airport experience! Try YEG’s tasty food options and shop for last-minute gifts. See the full list of dining, shopping and services.
Navigate the Airport with Ease: Use our handy terminal map to plan your time at YEG.
Save Time with Advance Declaration: When returning home, travellers arriving at many airports across Canada, including YEG, can make their customs and immigration declaration to the CBSA before their arrival using Advance Declaration. Travellers using this option can access express lanes to get to an airport kiosk or eGate faster.
“As CATSA prepares for one of the busiest travel seasons of the year, I’m proud to share that we are well-staffed and ready to provide the most secure aviation security screening service and the best client experience. We invite passengers to check out our screening tips before they leave home to help ensure a smooth screening experience. We wish all air passengers safe travels this holiday season.”
– Nada Semaan – President and CEO, CATSA
“The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) is ready to welcome travellers to Edmonton International Airport this holiday season. It’s a busy time at the airport so plan ahead, have all your travel documents ready, and declare all gifts you are bringing into Canada. Please remember to leave presents unwrapped and easily accessible, in case they need to be inspected by CBSA officers.”
– Lisa White, CBSA Director
YEG team members, CATSA screening officers and CBSA agents are happy to help passengers with questions and assist them navigating the airport. For a comprehensive list of holiday tips, please visit flyeia.com/yeg-holiday-travel-tips.
About Edmonton International Airport
Edmonton International Airport (YEG) is a self-funded, not-for-profit corporation driving economic prosperity for the Edmonton Metropolitan Region and beyond. YEG is Canada’s fifth-busiest airport by passenger traffic and the largest major Canadian airport by land area, generating an economic output of over $4.9 billion and supporting over 21,000 jobs. YEG’s Airport City Sustainability Campus is a living lab for innovation and sustainability, including hydrogen and drone technology, supporting our advancements in transitioning to net-zero by 2050. YEG is an Airport for Everyone, a welcoming space that fosters diversity, equity and inclusion.