Aviation Data Visualization Hub: Aircraft Movements

Additional information

Aircraft Movement Statistics

This dashboard provides data on aircraft movements at Canada’s major airports and select small airports in an interactive format, for the last five years. It allows users to compare aircraft movements by geography, class of operation, type of operation, sector (domestic, transborder and other international) and highlights the busiest airports by amount of activity.

For more information, refer to the Aircraft movements statistical program page.

Notes

Data include itinerant and local aircraft movements from both major airports (those with NAV CANADA towers and flight service stations) and a selection of smaller airports that provide movement data to NAV CANADA.

Data by province and type of operation are not available prior to January 2022.

Definitions

Air carrier

Aircraft operators, licensed by the Canadian Transportation Agency to transport persons, mail and/or goods by air.

Aircraft movement

A take-off, landing, or simulated approach by an aircraft as defined in the NAV CANADA Air Traffic Control Manual of Operations (ATC MANOPS).

Domestic movements

Movements, at a Canadian airport, of aircraft departing to or arriving from another point in Canada.

Government civil movements

Movements by aircraft owned by federal, provincial and municipal bodies as well as foreign states but excluding those owned by crown corporations, boards and commissions. Such aircraft are coded “state” under “purpose” in the Canadian civil aircraft register.

Government military movements

Movements by aircraft of any branch of the armed forces of any nation.

Itinerant movement

An itinerant movement is the initial takeoff or the final landing of an aircraft.

Level I

Every Canadian air carrier that, in the calendar year immediately preceding the reporting year, transported at least 2 million revenue passengers or at least 400 thousand tonnes of cargo.

Level II

Every Canadian air carrier that, in the calendar year immediately preceding the reporting year, transported at least 100 thousand, but fewer than 2 million revenue passengers or at least 50 thousand but less than 400 thousand tonnes of cargo.

Level III

Every Canadian air carrier not classified in reporting level I or II that, in the calendar year immediately preceding the reporting year, realized gross revenues of at least 2 million dollars for the provision of air services for which the air carrier held a licence.

Level IV

Every Canadian air carrier not classified in reporting level I, II or III that, in the calendar year immediately preceding the reporting year, realized gross revenues of less than 2 million dollars for the provision of air services for which the air carrier held a licence.

Local movement

A local movement is an aircraft conducting the following airport activities:

1. touch-and-go;
2. stop-and-go;
3. simulated approach without landing;
4. low approach;
5. pull up, while on final approach; or
6. missed approach.

Local movements are often carried out during training flights (touch-and-go), equipment tests, etc.

Other commercial movements

Flights performed by Commercial aircraft operators not included in the Air carrier categories. Flying schools, agricultural sprayers, water-bombers, aerial photography and survey, etc.

Other International Movements

Movements to and from countries outside of the United States.

Private movements

Aircraft used solely for private purposes, not for hire and compensation, which are classified as “Private” or “Private Restricted” in the Canadian civil aircraft register or similar registries of other countries. Owners include individuals, groups and business firms.

Transborder movements

Movements to and from the United States.