Ottawa International Airport (YOW) experienced a significant increase in its passenger traffic from 2020 to 2022, nearly doubling its overall volume. The airport's busyness is measured by its passenger volume, which includes both enplaned (departing) and deplaned (arriving) passengers across domestic, transborder, and international flights.
Passenger Volume Trends at YOW
In 2022, Ottawa International Airport handled close to 3 million passengers, a substantial rise from the approximately 1.36 million passengers it served in 2020. This growth indicates a strong recovery and increased activity at the airport.
Here's a detailed breakdown of passenger volumes by category for both years:
| Passenger Category | 2020 (Total YTD) | 2022 (Total YTD) |
|---|---|---|
| Domestic | 1,032,037 | 2,708,999 |
| Transborder | 163,093 | 190,335 |
| International | 168,382 | 93,000 |
| Total | 1,363,512 | 2,992,334 |
Key Insights into YOW's Passenger Traffic
- Significant Overall Growth: The total passenger volume surged from 1,363,512 in 2020 to 2,992,334 in 2022. This nearly 120% increase highlights a considerable rebound in air travel activity at the airport.
- Domestic Travel Dominance: Domestic passenger numbers saw the most dramatic increase, soaring from just over 1 million in 2020 to more than 2.7 million in 2022. This category accounts for the vast majority of the airport's traffic and its overall growth.
- Transborder Stability/Modest Growth: Travel to and from the United States (transborder) experienced a modest increase, from 163,093 passengers in 2020 to 190,335 in 2022.
- International Travel Decrease: Interestingly, international passenger volume saw a decline from 168,382 in 2020 to 93,000 in 2022. This suggests a shift in the composition of travel, with domestic routes driving most of the recovery and growth during this period.
In summary, Ottawa International Airport is quite busy, particularly with a strong recovery and significant growth in its domestic passenger traffic, making it a bustling hub for regional and national air travel.
