Calgary International Airport

[Surrealplaces]

Asia traffic will grow for sure. Especially as travel from China increases, even a small percentage coming to Canada would mean good numbers. Combined with Westjet controlling much of the traffic on the prairies and interior of BC, it could work out well for more Asian routes out of Calgary. The question is whether WS buys more wide bodies. If WS doesn't increase widebodies, maybe a carrier like Hainan will come back? It would be nice to have a direct flight or two to China.
Whatever the case may be, long-term there will be more traffic coming from Asia in the future, it's a matter of time.

 

[Cowtown]

We’re lucky to have WestJet as a hub, IMO we’re positioned very well for overseas direct flights to Asia in the future. It’s not a matter of if, it’s a matter of when.
I mean between India and China alone there are 3 billion people who are increasingly travelling. The Rocky Mountains will be a destination for many people and as you said, even if it’s a small percentage, it’ll be big enough numbers to gain some direct flights to those countries.
As WestJet grows into a bigger airline, it might not be WestJet doing a direct flights. They might be cold, sharing with some other carriers, and they can leverage their network of traffic through Western Canada.

 

[YYCguy]

One year after storm, Calgary airport reveals plan to reopen Concourse B

YYC Calgary International Airport expects to begin a phased reopening of Concourse B in 2027; the news comes one year after a hailstorm caused catastrophic damage and shut the terminal down completely. Related Stories: Storm hits Calgary, Airdrie day before insurers mark $3B hail anniversary...

www.discoverairdrie.com

One year after storm, Calgary airport reveals plan to reopen Concourse B​

Written by Anna Ferensowicz Wednesday, Aug 06 2025, 7:21 AM

YYC Calgary International Airport expects to begin a phased reopening of Concourse B in 2027; the news comes one year after a hailstorm caused catastrophic damage and shut the terminal down completely.

The Calgary Airport Authority said Tuesday in a news release the Aug. 5, 2024, storm severely damaged the 1976-built concourse, forcing its full closure. Contractors then spent seven months removing water-damaged infrastructure and original building materials, and renovation work is now underway….​

I am cautiously optimistic that the Airport Authority has learned from past renovation/construction mistakes and will make this a really beautiful and functional space!

 

[Roaring Flames]

I'm surprised they didn't decide to upgrade Concourse B instead of simply renovating it. It's easily the most dated of the 3 domestic concourses.

 

[Chowda7]

I'm surprised they didn't decide to upgrade Concourse B instead of simply renovating it. It's easily the most dated of the 3 domestic concourses.

I think that's actually the plan. They're gutting it and essentially doing a rebuild

 

[Chowda7]

Asia traffic will grow for sure. Especially as travel from China increases, even a small percentage coming to Canada would mean good numbers. Combined with Westjet controlling much of the traffic on the prairies and interior of BC, it could work out well for more Asian routes out of Calgary. The question is whether WS buys more wide bodies. If WS doesn't increase widebodies, maybe a carrier like Hainan will come back? It would be nice to have a direct flight or two to China.
Whatever the case may be, long-term there will be more traffic coming from Asia in the future, it's a matter of time.

I can definitely see a direct to Hong Kong route in the near future. Whenever I fly back to Hong Kong via Vancouver a very significant portion of passengers are connecting to mainland China.

This will be even more true as China implements their Greater Bay Area Plan which intends to integrate Hong Kong, and Macau with nine mainland China cities into a megalopolis

Plus with Calgary and Winnipeg having by far the largest Filipino populations it would help make an even stronger case for Calgary imo with the large filipino population in Hong Kong. Would probably pull some transborder travellers as well.

 

[zzkwilliamcanada]

I can definitely see a direct to Hong Kong route in the near future. Whenever I fly back to Hong Kong via Vancouver a very significant portion of passengers are connecting to mainland China.

This will be even more true as China implements their Greater Bay Area Plan which intends to integrate Hong Kong, and Macau with nine mainland China cities into a megalopolis

Plus with Calgary and Winnipeg having by far the largest Filipino populations it would help make an even stronger case for Calgary imo with the large filipino population in Hong Kong. Would probably pull some transborder travellers as well.

Totally agree with it, hongkong would be the best point connect to mainland China, India, Vietnam and Philippine .

 

[trtcttc]

Calgary and YYC becoming more of a cargo hub will help with Asian connections too. I think a part of the economics of these flights is carrying cargo, especially to Asian airports like Seoul, Taipei, Hong Kong. The issue I see with CX is premium demand, there's just less "wealthy" Asian people in Calgary vs Vancouver/Toronto.

 

[Chowda7]

 

[UrbanWarrior]

Sad to see how many people are still going to the states. I do know that tourism from the states has increased markedly though, so maybe that is skewing the numbers a bit.

 

[darwink]

I do know that tourism from the states has increased markedly though, so maybe that is skewing the numbers a bit.

I think quite a bit.
Visits to Alberta by origin, USA

Edit, more current statistics, for departures from airports in southern Alberta.

Compared to all of Canada:

Here is Calgary to Palm Springs, Las Vegas and Phoenix:

 

[MichaelS]

Sad to see how many people are still going to the states. I do know that tourism from the states has increased markedly though, so maybe that is skewing the numbers a bit.

My wife and I went relatively last minute to Chicago for a few nights in July. Despite there being a massive skyscraper with TRUMP blazened across it, politics never came up once and everyone we met was very nice and friendly.

I would say the exchange rate is the biggest deterrent right now. But if you can swing it, there are some beautiful places to see and explore in America, I wouldn't let a temporary political situation deny you those life adventures.

 

[darwink]

My wife and I went relatively last minute to Chicago for a few nights in July. Despite there being a massive skyscraper with TRUMP blazened across it, politics never came up once and everyone we met was very nice and friendly.

I would say the exchange rate is the biggest deterrent right now. But if you can swing it, there are some beautiful places to see and explore in America, I wouldn't let a temporary political situation deny you those life adventures.

Calgary - Chicago one of the few connection points where travel is up, year on year by Canadians/residents (I don't think this includes people transferring from Asia, but maybe it does?

 

[Surrealplaces]

Just to make sure I'm reading these graphs correctly. The graph on the left is all US bound passengers originating from southern Alberta (YYC only) and not including connecting passengers. The graph on the right is the total US citizens bound for YYC, and not including connections to other Canadian cities, correct?

 

[darwink]

not including connections to other Canadian cities, correct?

I think so.