CALGARY — YYC Calgary Airport (YYC) is gearing up for one of its busiest summers on record, with more than six million passengers expected to travel through the airport over the coming months.
The forecast follows a record-setting summer last year, when Calgary Airports welcomed more than four million travellers to YYC and saw peak months exceed two million passengers each.
“An airport is where summer really starts for a lot of people,” says Chris Miles, Chief Operating Officer at Calgary Airports. “You see families heading off on long-awaited vacations, friends reuniting and loved ones waiting at arrivals. Even as people plan more carefully this year, travel still matters deeply. At YYC, we’re focused on making sure guests feel prepared, supported and welcomed, so their time here feels like part of the journey, not just the step before it.”
On average, more than 66,000 travellers are expected to move through the airport each day, making preparation key for both airport operations and passengers.
“Summer is a high travel season. While our screening lines are well staffed, lineups can occur during peak travel times,” says Gurjit Gill, Canadian Air Transport Security Authority’s (CATSA) General Manager of Service Delivery for the Prairie region. “Arriving early helps ensure travellers have enough time to check in, go through security screening and get to their gate. Passengers can also visit CATSA’s website to find the rules for what can and cannot be packed in their carry-on bags or checked baggage.”
“As Calgary gains global momentum, summer continues to be the busiest season for tourism. In addition, we know that a lot of Calgarians are also becoming local tour guides for visiting family and friends,” says Alisha Reynolds, Tourism Calgary’s President & CEO. “Tourism Calgary will welcome almost 75 sport, major events and conventions through to the end of September, in addition to our full summer festival and event season already underway. Whether you live here or you're showing Calgary off to guests, the city has so much to offer.”
To help ensure a stress-free experience, Miles is encouraging travellers to “come ready, come early and come explore.”
Come ready
Come early
- Arrive at least two hours before a domestic flight.
- Arrive at least three hours before an international flight to allow time for check in, security screening, and U.S. border control for those travelling to the U.S.
Come explore
- Snap a photo at the airport’s YYC, Canada or YAHOO letters on the Arrivals level.
- Enjoy live local music performances happening throughout the terminal all summer long.
- Make the most of your time at the airport with amenities such as:
- Complimentary strollers for families travelling with young children.
- Luggage carts available post-security.
- Bag and coat check services for those looking to explore Calgary during a layover.
- If you need a hand along the way, look for YYC’s White Hat Volunteers, ready to help with directions, questions or recommendations.
About Calgary Airports
Calgary Airports (formally, The Calgary Airport Authority) is a non-share capital corporation incorporated under the Regional Airports Authorities Act of Alberta. It is responsible for the management, operation and development of YYC Calgary International Airport and YBW Springbank Airport. Calgary Airports’ commitment to safety remains a top priority. Our airports are important economic generators for the city, region and province, supporting thousands of jobs and generating billions in GDP through associated economic activity. Calgary Airports was also recognized as one of Alberta’s Top Employers for 2026.
About CATSA
Established on April 1, 2002, CATSA is a Crown corporation fully funded by parliamentary appropriations and is accountable to Parliament through the Minister of Transport. CATSA is dedicated to working with its screening contractors and air travel partners to deliver service excellence through effective and efficient security screening.
About Tourism Calgary
Tourism Calgary is the destination management organization that enthusiastically shares and promotes the story of our friendly Blue Sky City to those near and far. We think big - like, Canadian Rocky Mountain big - using our sales and marketing expertise to drive an annual visitor spend of over $3.3B for the local economy and advocating for our growing tourism sector, which includes 84,000 Calgarians employed in the industry. From conventions to leisure travel, sports events to music and arts, Tourism Calgary represents the city's diverse and unexpected experiences, extending our welcoming hospitality to the over 10 million people who visit Calgary every year. Go to visitcalgary.com for more details.
This news release contains certain forward-looking statements about our current expectations, estimates and projections about the future, based on certain assumptions made by us in light of our experience and perception of historical trends. Although Calgary Airports believes that the expectations represented by such forward-looking statements are reasonable, there can be no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements as actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied.
Media Relations
Calgary Airports
P: 403 735 5899
media@yyc.com