Aviation
Air Passenger Origin and Destination, Canada - United States Report, 2018

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Highlights

In 2018, more than 26.4 million passengers travelled on scheduled air services between Canada and the United States, a 7.3% increase compared with 2017.



The provincial distribution of 2018 scheduled air passenger traffic varied slightly from that observed in 2017. Ontario continued to be the largest market in 2018 with 40.7% of all reported scheduled air passenger traffic between Canada and the United States flowing in and out of the province. British Columbia accounted for 20.9% of all reported transborder traffic, followed by Quebec and Alberta with 15.4% and 15.3%, respectively.

Ontario experienced the largest gain in year-over-year passenger volumes between Canada and the United States (+688,397 passengers) followed by British Columbia (+400,412).

The largest percentage increases in scheduled air passenger traffic between Canada and the United States were experienced in New Brunswick and Yukon, increasing by 12.6% and 10.3% respectively. These were followed by the Northwest Territories with an 8.6% year-over-year increase.

Prince Edward Island was the only province that recorded a slight decrease (-3.8%) in transborder traffic over 2017.



The distribution of transborder traffic across the United States changed slightly in 2018 compared to 2017. Transborder travel continued to be primarily to/from the states of California and Florida. Together, these two states accounted for 37.6% of all traffic with California reporting 19.2% and Florida 18.4%. These states were followed by New York and Nevada, which accounted for 8.8% and 7.8% of all transborder scheduled air passenger traffic.

In 2018, Florida experienced the largest year-over-year gain in volume of passengers travelling between the United States and Canada (+425,592). This was followed by California (+185,693) and Texas (+153,876).

American states with significant year-over-year growth in transborder passengers included: Colorado (+19.5%), Tennessee (+19.2%) and North Carolina (+16.9%).



Factors which may have influenced the data

Year-to-year analysis of origin and destination statistics is complicated by such factors as extension or improvement of airport facilities and the development, suspension or termination of airline services.

2017

Starting February 5, 2017, Air Canada began daily year-round non-stop flights between Dallas-Fort Worth Airport, Texas and Vancouver International.

On March 7, 2017, Regina International Airport, Saskatchewan cancelled and delayed numerous flights due to blizzard conditions.

On March 14, 2017, a powerful winter storm pounded southern and central Quebec. Most flights at Montréal/Pierre Elliot Trudeau International Airport were cancelled or delayed.

On March 15, 2017, Halifax/Robert L. Stanfield International Airport reported more than two dozen flight cancellations and delays due to a winter storm which caused power outages throughout the province.

Effective March 28, 2017, Cathay Pacific increased the capacity of its flights on two routes, Vancouver-Boston and Vancouver-Hong Kong

On May 1, 2017, Air Canada commenced daily year round service between Montréal/Pierre Elliott Trudeau International and Washington Dulles International Airport, D.C.

On May 4, 2017, WestJet started direct service between Calgary International and Nashville, Tennessee. The airline will operate two flights a week.

On May 5, 2017, nearly 150 flights scheduled to arrive and depart from Toronto’s Lester B. Pearson International Airport were cancelled due to thunderstorms and poor visibility.

On June 23, 2017, Air Canada commenced service between Vancouver International Airport and Boston Logan International Airport. The non-stop seasonal flight will operate daily until September 4, 2017.

On July 13, 2017, Elite Airways began twice weekly non-stop service from Halifax/Robert L. Stanfield International Airport to Portland, Maine with an option for passengers to continue to Sarasota-Bradenton, Florida.

On August 12, 2017, weather and reduced staffing at Toronto/Lester B. Pearson International Airport, caused delays and dozens of flight cancellations.

In late August, 2017, hurricane Harvey caused the cancellation of 25 WestJet flights to and from George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston, Texas.

On October 4, 2017, American Airlines ended seasonal service between Québec/Jean Lesage International and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The service began on June 2, 2017.

On October 15, 2017, WestJet commenced twice daily service between Montréal/Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport and Boston Logan International Airport, Massachusetts.

On October 25, 2017, Delta Airlines terminated the daily flight between Québec/Jean Lesage International Airport, Quebec, and John F. Kennedy Airport.

Beginning in November, 2017, WestJet began seasonal service between Hamilton and Orlando.

On November 8, 2017, low visibility prompted the cancellation of 44 flights at Kelowna Airport.

On December 2, 2017, WestJet began service from London to Orlando. This seasonal service will run once per week until April 28, 2018.

On December 15, 2017, Flair Air expanded its service to four new airports: Toronto, Vancouver, Kelowna, British Columbia and Edmonton, operating several times per week.

On December 16, 2017, Porter Airlines added non-stop weekly flights from Ottawa/Macdonald-Cartier International Airport and from Windsor, Ontario to Orlando-Melbourne, Florida. These are Porter’s first U.S. flights from airports outside of its main base at Toronto/Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport. The service will run until March 31, 2018.

On December 18, 2017, WestJet began service from Moncton/Greater Moncton International, New Brunswick to Orlando, Florida. This seasonal service will run until February 26, 2018, and recommence from March 5 to April 23, 2018.

On December 21, 2017, Porter Airlines resumed twice weekly winter service to Burlington, Vermont, from Toronto/Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport. This seasonal service will operate until March 27, 2018.

On December 28, 2017, freezing rain fell throughout the Fraser Valley. The weather resulted in some flight delays at Abbotsford. By the next day the freezing rain warning was extended to Metro Vancouver, especially in Surrey and Langley.

On December 28, 2017, WestJet issued an alert effective for Toronto until January 1, 2018, advising passengers that the weather conditions may cause delays or cancellations.

On December 29, 2017, Air Canada advised passengers that flights at Toronto/Lester B. Pearson and Toronto/Billy Bishop Toronto City may be impacted due to the extreme cold weather conditions.

On December 29, 2017, WestJet began service from Hamilton to Las Vegas, Nevada. This seasonal service will run twice weekly until April 27, 2018.

2018

On January 1, 2018, Air Canada issued a travel alert for passengers using airports in Toronto, Montréal, Calgary and Ottawa due to a deep freeze that brought extreme cold, snow, and icy conditions. Nearly 500 flights at Toronto/Lester B. Pearson International were either delayed or cancelled.

On January 2, 2018, as the deep freeze continued, Air Canada extended the alert to January 4, 2018.

On January 4, 2018, a powerful winter storm, or “bomb cyclone” hit the northeastern United States and Atlantic Canada, causing thousands of flight cancellations at various airports. Snowfall accumulation in parts of New Brunswick peaked at 60 cm. By the morning of January 4, flights in and out of U.S. cities impacted by the storm had caused approximately 15% of all flights to be cancelled at Toronto/Lester B. Pearson International. All flights were suspended at New York’s John F. Kennedy and LaGuardia Airports. Flights from most airports resumed on January 5, however there were still numerous delays and cancellations. By January 7, many airports were still struggling to cope with a backlog of flights.

On January 10, 2018, Environment and Climate Change Canada issued a freezing rain warning for eastern Ontario. In response, Air Canada warned passengers of possible delays due to the expectation of up to 4 millimeters of freezing rain.

On January 11, 2018, hazardous winter conditions were expected in the Fraser Valley in British Columbia as Environment and Climate Change Canada extended a winter storm warning. The storm occurred less than two weeks after ice and snow caused major power outages throughout the valley. At one point more than 50,000 customers were without power in the region.

On January 12, 2018, snowy winter weather and freezing temperatures resulted in the cancellation of more than 200 departures (20%) and 159 arrivals (18%) at Toronto/Lester B. Pearson International Airport.

On January 13, 2018, a major winter storm with rain, wind and snow affected eastern Canada from southern Ontario to Atlantic Canada.

On January 14, 2018, Environment and Climate Change Canada issued a fog advisory for Metro Vancouver, warning of near zero visibility. The advisory covered all of Metro Vancouver, extending to west and north Vancouver, southwest and east to Richmond, Delta, Surrey and Langley, and northeast to Coquitlam and Maple Ridge.

On January 28, 2018, a heavy rain warning was issued for the Lower Mainland of British Columbia. According to Environment and Climate Change Canada, 40 to 50 millimeters of rain were expected to fall at Pitt Meadows Airport by the end of the day.

On February 6, 2018, Environment and Climate Change Canada issued multiple winter storm warnings and watches for western, central and southern Alberta. Widespread snowfall with total amounts of 25-40 centimetres was to begin February 7 and last until February 9.

On February 8, 2018, Environment and Climate Change Canada issued a winter storm warning in Ontario for Windsor, Essex County and Chatham-Kent, warning that between 15-20 centimetres of snow could fall by the evening of February 9.

On February 10, 2018, Environment and Climate Change Canada issued a freezing rain warning for Toronto and the GTA. Snow began to fall on February 9 with between 5 and 10 centimetres accumulation, and it was expected that freezing rain would begin in the morning of February 11 and last into the evening.

On February 11, 2018, a freezing rain warning was issued for Ottawa, with several hours of freezing rain expected in the afternoon.

Beginning February 14, 2018, Porter Airlines resumed its seasonal service from Toronto/Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Flights will operate twice-weekly on Wednesdays and Saturdays, with added frequency during March break. The service concludes on May 19, 2018.

On February 14, 2018, a small plane crash-landed on the main runway at Toronto/Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport, which closed the runway for approximately two hours.

On February 15, 2018, American Airlines increased service between Toronto/Lester B. Pearson International and New York LaGuardia, New York, from four flights daily to five.

On February 19, 2018, Environment and Climate Change Canada issued a special weather statement for Toronto, predicting significant rainfall for the following day.

On February 20, 2018, Environment and Climate Change Canada issued a rainfall warning and fog advisory for London.

On February 20, 2018, Environment and Climate Change Canada issued a rainfall warning for the Ottawa area, with up to 40 millimetres of rain expected to fall over two days.

On February 22, 2018, Air Canada Rouge began service between Phoenix Sky Harbour International Airport, and Montréal/Pierre Elliott Trudeau International. Flights will go three times per week until May 28, 2018.

On March 1, 2018, the province of Alberta issued a province wide travel advisory due to heavy snowfall or winter storm warnings. Accumulations of 15-25 centimetres were expected in some regions.

On March 8, 2018, WestJet became the first Canadian airline to fly non-stop to Denver International Airport, Colorado from Calgary. The new service will operate daily.

On March 14, 2018, Environment and Climate Change Canada issued a winter storm warning for southern Alberta. Air Canada and WestJet issued travel warnings for Calgary International Airport.

During the weeks of March 17 and March 25, 2018, Celebrity Cruises offered seven-day, all-inclusive flight and cruise packages (with partner First Air) from Moncton/Greater Moncton International to either Miami or West Palm Beach, both in Florida.

From March 18 to March 24, 2018, Hay River and Fort Smith, both in the Northwest Territories, hosted the 2018 Arctic Winter Games. Nearly 2000 athletes from Alaska, Greenland, northern Alberta, the Northwest Territories, Nunavik, Nunavut, Russia, Scandinavia and the Yukon participated in 19 different sports.

On March 21, 2018, Environment and Climate Change Canada issued a snowfall warning for much of the province of Alberta. A total of 10-15 centimetres was expected in Edmonton, Grande Prairie, Hanna, and Leduc.

On March 30, 2018, a snowfall warning was issued for southern Alberta, with unseasonably cold temperatures, gusting winds and snowfall expected.

On April 14 and 15, 2018, southern and central Ontario were hit with freezing rain, ice pellets and strong winds. Toronto/Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport cancelled all departing flights and received only one arrival on April 15, while more than 600 flights were cancelled at Toronto/Lester B. Pearson International. Dozens of flights were also cancelled or delayed at Ottawa/Macdonald-Cartier International. By April 16, over 100,000 residents were without power across southern Ontario.

On April 26, 2018, British Columbia-based Harbour Air and Washington State-based Kenmore Air began a new seaplane service between Vancouver Harbour Flight Centre and Seattle Washington’s Lake Union. The new service brings together two of the largest seaplane operations in the world. Kenmore Air is currently operating daily seaplane service between Seattle and Victoria.

On May 1, 2018, Air Canada, operated by Air Georgian, began flights from Toronto/Lester B. Pearson International to Eppley Airfield, in Omaha, Nebraska. This was the first international carrier to touch down at the airfield. On the same day, the airline also commenced daily flights between Edmonton International and San Francisco, California.

On May 4, 2018, severe thunderstorms hit southern Ontario, with winds exceeding 100km/h. All airplanes were grounded for the afternoon at Toronto/Lester B. Pearson International.

On May 4, 2018, American Airlines added daily service from Vancouver International to Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport.

On May 4, 2018, American Airlines increased its frequency between Ottawa/Macdonald-Cartier International and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania from two to three flights daily.

From May 7 until May 31, 2018, Medicine Hat Airport, Alberta, was closed for the rehabilitation of the main runway and taxiway pavement surfaces. The airport reopened on May 31.

On May 17, 2018, Air Canada began daily flights between Montréal/Pierre Elliott Trudeau International and both Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and Baltimore, Maryland.

On May 17, 2018, Air Canada launched year-round, daily, non-stop flights between Vancouver International and Sacramento International Airport, California. The airline also launched seasonal service between Toronto/Lester B. Pearson International and Providence, Rhode Island.

On June 7, 2018, American Airlines began new daily service from Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport, Illinois, to Calgary International.

On June 15, 2018, Alaska Seaplanes commenced international service from Juneau, Alaska, to Whitehorse. Service will operate three times per week on Tuesdays, Fridays and Sundays.

On June 21, 2018, WestJet Link, a new regional air service in Western Canada, took flight. The service will operate under a capacity purchase agreement with British Columbia-based Pacific Coastal Airlines Ltd. WestJet Link will connect the Alberta communities of Lethbridge, Lloydminster and Medicine Hat and the B.C. communities of Cranbrook and Prince George to WestJet’s network hub at Calgary International Airport.

On August 23 and 24, 2018, WestJet cancelled all of its regular flights between Vancouver International and Hawaii due to Hurricane Lane.

On September 21, 2018, several tornadoes touched down in the Ottawa, Ontario and Gatineau, Quebec regions. Some flights at Ottawa/Macdonald-Cartier International were suspended due to lightning and the airport was forced to use backup power. Strong winds were also forecast that day throughout Ontario.

In October 2018, United Express carrier CommutAir began operating five daily roundtrips from Newark Liberty International Airport, New Jersey and Washington Dulles International, Virginia to Montréal/Pierre Elliott Trudeau International.

On October 2, 2018, a large snowfall hit Calgary, with 40 centimetres reported in parts of the city. Dozens of flights were cancelled or delayed at Calgary International Airport.

On October 27, 2018, WestJet concluded its service to Sudbury Airport, Ontario. The airline had resumed operations to the city in February 2017 after not flying out of the airport since 2001.

On October 27, 2018, Flair Airlines ended all service to and from Hamilton and moved its southern Ontario operations to Toronto/Lester B. Pearson International.

On October 27, 2018, Swoop launched service from Edmonton International to Las Vegas and to Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport, Arizona. Service was also added between Hamilton and the Florida cities of Orlando and Tampa Bay.

On October 28, 2018, Swoop launched service from Abbotsford and from Hamilton to Las Vegas. The flights were scheduled to begin earlier in the month but were cancelled while the company waited for regulatory approval.

On October 28, 2018, Air Canada Rouge launched service from Edmonton International to Las Vegas. The route will operate daily until April 30, 2019.

On October 28, 2018, Air Canada increased its frequency of flights to Phoenix Sky Harbour International Airport, Arizona from Vancouver International, from four days per week to seven. The airline also increased its frequency between Vancouver International and Palm Springs.

On October 28, 2018, Air Canada launched direct, seasonal service between Calgary International, Alberta and Palm Springs. The flights will be available until the end of April, 2019.

On November 1, 2018, Air Canada discontinued transborder service to Syracuse and Rochester, both in New York, as well as to Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. These routes were discontinued as Air Canada Express carrier Air Georgian was phasing out the Beechcraft 1900 aircraft from its fleet.

On the evening of November 2, 2018, all flights coming in and out of Fredericton International Airport, New Brunswick were cancelled because an electrical fault caused all of the runway lights to go out. The lights were restored by the following evening.

On November 7, 2018, a Boeing 747 skidded off the runway while landing at Halifax/Robert L. Stanfield International, Nova Scotia. The airport temporarily suspended all flights, and one of two runways at the airport remained closed for nearly two weeks following the incident. The ongoing closure of the runway caused some delays, cancellations and diversions when winds favoured the runway that was closed.

On November 8, 2018, Flair Airlines launched its first flight to the United States: from Edmonton International, Alberta to Las Vegas. The flight will operate four times weekly.

In December 2018, Flair Airlines launched new routes to various cities in the United States: Miami, Orlando and Tampa Bay, Florida; Phoenix, Arizona; Las Vegas, Nevada and Palm Springs, California.

On December 7, 2018, WestJet launched service between Saskatoon/John G. Diefenbaker International, Saskatchewan and Orlando, Florida. The weekly service will operate until April 26, 2019.

On December 8, 2018, Sunwing began offering direct flights from Québec/Jean Lesage International and Miami. Flights will depart twice-weekly, on Saturdays and Sundays.

On December 15, 2018, Sunwing began direct service between Ottawa/Macdonald-Cartier International and Miami, Florida. Flights will depart Ottawa every Saturday until March 30, 2019.

On December 15, 2018, Air Canada launched new service between Vancouver International, British Columbia and Kauai, Hawaii. Flights will operate three times weekly until April 27, 2019. The airline also doubled the frequency of its other flights from western Canada to Hawaii (Honolulu, Maui and Kona) for the winter 2018/2019 season.