A new report from Statistics Canada that ranks airports based on traffic movement, has placed the Region of Waterloo International Airport as the 6th busiest airport in Canada in 2021.
This report, tracks aircraft movements, a take-off or a landing.
Transport Canada and NAV CANADA use the information to measure workload, aircraft route activity and runway use, says a press release from the Region of Waterloo.
In 2021, a total of 133,293 aircraft movements were recorded at the Region of Waterloo International Airport (YKF).
The ranking closely followed Vancouver International (fourh pltace) and Calgary / Springbank (fifth place).
For years, YKF maintained a ranking between the 15th and 16th busiest airports in the country, reads the release, adding the increase is a result of the pandemic grounding many commercial flights.
Notably, 2021 was also a record-breaking year for passenger traffic at YKF.
In total 171,828 people travelled through the region’s airport last year.
This represents a 245 per cent increase over 2019 and is a direct result of Flair Airlines.
As one of Flair's bases, YKF welcomed three Boeing 737 aircraft, 350 jobs and 12 non-stop destinations, says the release.
“YKF is the busiest general aviation airport in Ontario. Flight training has always accounted for over half of our aircraft movements,” said Chris Wood, general manager at the Region of Waterloo International Airport in the release.
“We are the proud home of the Waterloo Wellington Flight Centre, one of Canada’s largest professional flight training schools. General aviation built this airport and will continue to thrive as we grow.”
To meet increased demand, the first phase of a $17 million airport expansion began in May 2021.
Work is scheduled to be completed in spring 2023 and includes the construction of an addition to a passenger hold room, along with a bag claim building.