YYC Celebrates 14.5 Million Passengers and the Most Recovered Canadian Airport in 2022

The Calgary Airport Authority is pleased to announce that YYC Calgary International Airport (YYC) welcomed 14.5 million passengers in 2022, which is an 81 percent recovery of its traffic in 2019. YBW Springbank Airport saw a total of 129,674 departures and arrivals in 2022 and recouped 84 percent of its 2019 traffic. 

“YYC is back to connecting people and cargo to places. We are thrilled by last year’s numbers for both our airports and expect to see close to 3 million more guests in 2023 at YYC,” said Rob Palmer, VP Commercial, Strategy & CFO. “We look forward for our industry to regain stability in the next few years.”  

YYC has been proud to be an economic driver for Alberta, handling 38 percent of all connecting flights in Canada. That’s why YYC is the highest connecting airport in the country and one of the largest contributors to the regional GDP each year at an estimated $8 billion. 

Cargo remains a valuable and steady part of YYC’s business and is a major economic driver and contributor to Alberta and Canada’s GDP. Cargo freight continues to be above 2019 levels. In 2022, 5,362 aircraft filled with cargo landed at YYC Calgary International Airport. YYC can handle more cargo now and will capitalize on that opportunity through investments such as the west runway rehabilitation and sustainability improvements. 

Due to increased operating and capital costs in 2022 and this year, as well as increased cost in materials compared to 2021 when the project budget was allotted, The Authority is seeking additional Airport Critical Infrastructure Program (ACIP) funding from the Government of Canada as well as other funding from the Government of Alberta.  

2023 forecasts 

This year, we are forecasting nearly a total recovery to 2019 levels, between 17 and 18 million passengers. Some exciting growth already announced for 2023 includes: 

• WestJet has made YYC its sole global connecting hub. This is anticipated to increase passengers to YYC by more than 25 percent this year. The airline also announced expanded route options at YYC to Tokyo, Barcelona, and Edinburgh for this summer. WestJet will be announcing more destinations this year.  

Carriers in Canada have a promising future ahead and are planning to scale operations to full capacity this year such as: 

• Porter Airlines starts its twice daily service from YYC to Toronto Pearson International Airport on February 22. 
• Canadian North starts service to Yellowknife on February 14.  
• Flair Airlines continues its nine successful domestic routes and will be adding Saskatoon from YYC in May. 
• Lynx Air continues its regular domestic service to five popular destinations and is adding three flights to the U.S. in February. 
• Eurowings Discover returns in May by increasing its seasonal service to five times weekly to Frankfurt.