How Canada’s major airports are preparing for busy holiday season

Canada’s major airports have been busy gearing up to welcome increased holiday passenger traffic, with plans in place to streamline travellers’ experiences while also helping guests get into the spirit of the season. 

Holiday travel is already well underway at Vancouver International Airport (YVR). In a recent release, the airport authority stated it was expecting to welcome about three million travellers between Dec. 1 and Jan. 12 — nearly 70,000 passengers daily. The busiest travel days are projected for the latter half of December, with more than 76,800 passengers expected on Dec. 18, followed closely by Dec. 22 and Dec. 29. 

Vancouver International Airport has made investments in new technology to streamline holiday traffic. Air Canada passengers can now use biometric identity verification tools rather than showing their passport and boarding pass when flying to the United States.

The airport has also introduced computed tomography x-ray equipment at more domestic checkpoints, allowing passengers to save time by leaving large electronics and liquids in their bags for faster security screening. Similar technology has been introduced at Calgary International Airport (YYC) and Winnipeg Richardson International Airport (YWG). 

YWG anticipates Dec. 12, Dec. 19, Dec. 26 and Jan. 2 to be the busiest. A spokesperson for the airport authority said it expects about 6,500-7,000 outbound passengers on each of those days and a total of 491,998 passengers to come through the airport between Dec. 1 and Jan. 12.  

Meanwhile, Ottawa’s Macdonald–Cartier International Airport (YOW) is expecting Dec. 21, 22 and 23 will be the busiest days this holiday season, with between 9,500 and 10,000 departing passengers per day. During last year’s holiday season, the airport authority said it welcomed about 430,000 passengers in December, with another 383,000 in January.

Montreal-Trudeau International Airport (YUL) recommends passengers arrive at the airport three hours before their flight, no matter their destination. In addition, there are now fewer parking spaces at YUL due to the permanent closure of the multi-level and EconoParc P5 lots. Passengers looking to park at YUL are urged to check in advance to determine the availability of parking spaces, as well as reserving their spot online before travelling to the airport. If parking isn’t available at YUL, passengers will need to make other arrangements.

On Canada’s East Coast, peak holiday traffic at Halifax Stanfield International Airport is usually experienced on weekends and several days before and after Christmas, according to the airport authority. 

Canada’s major airports will also be doing their part to help travellers get in the holiday spirit, with most announcing terminals will be adorned with festive decor, while special events, performances and music are also planned. YOW’s holiday entertainment program, for example, will launch from Dec. 20 to 24, with local musicians and choirs performing throughout each day and special appearances from Santa as well. 

According to Statistics Canada, 4.8 million passengers passed through Canada’s eight largest airports in December of 2024, 8.1 per cent higher than in December 2023 and 4.3 per cent above the pre-COVID-19 pandemic level in December 2019.