Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier International Airport (YOW/CYOW)

[Rhb]

As we wait for (speaking for myself) Ottawa Airport Authority January 2026 passenger numbers. Statistics Canada has January 2026 screened passenger volume numbers for that month.

Looking at International screened passenger volume expect a record total number. Substantial higher than any month previously.

https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/t1/tbl1/en/...026&referencePeriods=20250101%2C20260101

[SimpleEng]

Originally Posted by Rhb

As we wait for (speaking for myself) Ottawa Airport Authority January 2026 passenger numbers. Statistics Canada has January 2026 screened passenger volume numbers for that month.

Looking at International screened passenger volume expect a record total number. Substantial higher than any month previously.

https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/t1/tbl1/en/...026&referencePeriods=20250101%2C20260101

Yes, it will be quite interesting to see the January numbers, especially international.

Just for fun here's an AI (Grok) estimate, let's see how close it is

Prompt:

Estimate the passenger volume at the YOW airport in January 2026. 

Then separate the total number into Domestic, Transborder, and International estimates.

Response:

The estimated total passenger volume (enplaned and deplaned) at Ottawa International Airport (YOW) in January 2026 is approximately 404,000.

Domestic: approximately 264,000
Transborder: approximately 67,000
International: approximately 73,000

These estimates are based on January 2025 data from the Ottawa International Airport Authority and national year-over-year growth trends for January 2026 from Statistics Canada (domestic up 7.9%, transborder down 7.9%, international up 11.9%, overall up 5.1%).

One of the 20 sources referenced was the statcan link above.

[Dominion301]

Originally Posted by Rhb

As we wait for (speaking for myself) Ottawa Airport Authority January 2026 passenger numbers. Statistics Canada has January 2026 screened passenger volume numbers for that month.

Looking at International screened passenger volume expect a record total number. Substantial higher than any month previously.

https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/t1/tbl1/en/...026&referencePeriods=20250101%2C20260101

If nearly 46,000 international pax were screened in January, that would put total international for the month at over 90,000, which would certainly break the all-time monthly record. February and March should both see solid growth too, but with the loss of Cuba capacity it'll be much more tempered.

Today’s departure count: 93 - would tie the record

Sun flights count (both transborder & international): 16

Today's cancellation count (so far): 2

[RomanR27]

I didn't grab AC889, but AC888 is full in Premium Economy and 19/20 in business.

Today is the final day with a YUL rotation on the 788, economy looks pretty full both ways, and YOW-YUL has 18/20 business seats filled.

[Dominion301]

There were at least 5 diversions from YYZ late last night. Fog?

Today’s departure count: 79

Sun flights count (both transborder & international): 17

Today's cancellation count (so far): 3

[Djeffery]

Originally Posted by Dominion301

There were at least 5 diversions from YYZ late last night. Fog?

Today’s departure count: 79

Sun flights count (both transborder & international): 17

Today's cancellation count (so far): 3

It was very foggy where I live, 66 miles west of YYZ. Wouldn't surprise me if Toronto was worse, with the lake right there.

[RomanR27]

Originally Posted by Djeffery

It was very foggy where I live, 66 miles west of YYZ. Wouldn't surprise me if Toronto was worse, with the lake right there.

I know someone who was on one of the flights that diverted here and fog was the reason given. Tonight, the opposite is happening as three YOW-bound flights are diverting to YYZ (PHX, YWG and FLL). An ORD-YOW diverted to ALB. NAS just landed successfully though.

Tomorrow's AC889 is 13/20 J and 21/21 PY. AC888 is full in both premium cabins. With the change to DST tomorrow, it'll be a 2255 departure until it goes back to 4x weekly at the end of the month on the 333.

Speaking of ORD, the 319 turn has now been loaded for another few weeks through the middle of September.

[Dominion301]

Originally Posted by RomanR27

I know someone who was on one of the flights that diverted here and fog was the reason given. Tonight, the opposite is happening as three YOW-bound flights are diverting to YYZ (PHX, YWG and FLL). An ORD-YOW diverted to ALB. NAS just landed successfully though.

Tomorrow's AC889 is 13/20 J and 21/21 PY. AC888 is full in both premium cabins. With the change to DST tomorrow, it'll be a 2255 departure until it goes back to 4x weekly at the end of the month on the 333.

Speaking of ORD, the 319 turn has now been loaded for another few weeks through the middle of September.

I drove past the airport late last night and the fog was thick.

Today’s departure count: 86

Sun flights count (both transborder & international): 12

Today's cancellation count (so far): 2

[Dominion301]

Today’s departure count: 88

Sun flights count (both transborder & international): 13

Today's cancellation count (so far): 0

[Dominion301]

The Cuba flights now appearing regularly again on the FIDS and sometimes not even as cancelled like today with VRA.

Today’s departure count: 84

Sun flights count (both transborder & international): 13

Today's cancellation count (so far): 0

[Dominion301]

Today’s departure count: 73

Sun flights count (both transborder & international): 12

Today's cancellation count (so far): 10 - I expect that number to climb throughout the day.

[RomanR27]

Originally Posted by Dominion301

Today’s departure count: 73

Sun flights count (both transborder & international): 12

Today's cancellation count (so far): 10 - I expect that number to climb throughout the day.

AC889 is 9/20 J and 19/21 PY. AC888 is full in all three cabins - not all that surprising given March Break is around the corner. AC889 is delayed by over 5 hours to avoid the weather in Ottawa - scheduled now for a 2117 arrival.

As a side note, AC888 was cancelled on Sunday. The FIN that operated AC889 rotated out to YYZ as AC463, and there was set to be another aircraft rotating in as AC466. The fin tagged to operated 466/888 had been in Melbourne, FL for some reason (likely maintenance) and was returning to YYZ but ended up turning around and going back to MLB (it's still there).

So not sure if that rotation was always scheduled, or the FIN that operated 889 also had a maintenance issue necessitating it to return to YYZ, and then there was a double whammy with the second aircraft causing the cancellation.

[Dominion301]

Today could have been a record if not for all the cancellations.

Today’s departure count: 87

Sun flights count (both transborder & international): 15

Today's cancellation count (so far): 8

Yesterday's cancellation count ended up being 30.

[MountainView]

Completely and 100% my anecdotally opinion...

I flew to YYC and back twice so far in the last 20 days. Flew Porter outbound and AC inbound simply due to preferring the timings.

The PD flights were approx. 60-75% full. Both ways, I had no one beside me in the emergency exit row.

The AC flights were both full. Numerous people on the upgrade list... and no more than 5-7 people on the standby. Chatting to the person beside me, they were connection via YOW to YQM. I found that interesting.

Anyways... both flights were as enjoyable as they could be. Free wifi on both. It does seem like YYC is a weaker market for Porter though. A second anecdote... I went to a BMO in Calgary and they did have brochures laying out with their mastercards and Porter was front-and-center. A lot of Westerners don't know about Porter's expansion and only know of them flying the turboprops into Toronto Island.

(I admit, WestJet is King in YYC)

[mxg308]

Sent YOW an email for passenger numbers. Strange we still don't have January numbers yet and it will soon be February numbers time.

[mxg308]

Originally Posted by MountainView

Completely and 100% my anecdotally opinion...

I flew to YYC and back twice so far in the last 20 days. Flew Porter outbound and AC inbound simply due to preferring the timings.

The PD flights were approx. 60-75% full. Both ways, I had no one beside me in the emergency exit row.

The AC flights were both full. Numerous people on the upgrade list... and no more than 5-7 people on the standby. Chatting to the person beside me, they were connection via YOW to YQM. I found that interesting.

Anyways... both flights were as enjoyable as they could be. Free wifi on both. It does seem like YYC is a weaker market for Porter though. A second anecdote... I went to a BMO in Calgary and they did have brochures laying out with their mastercards and Porter was front-and-center. A lot of Westerners don't know about Porter's expansion and only know of them flying the turboprops into Toronto Island.

(I admit, WestJet is King in YYC)

I feel like it will take some time for Porter to really build a true hub in Ottawa and to convince the Aeroplan gang to give up AC. At the same time, I feel like Porter has done much less advertising recently compared to pre-COVID times.

[Edison53]

On AF327, so far delayed by almost two hours, allegedly because of *ground* computer problem. Anyone aware?

[Dominion301]

Originally Posted by mxg308

Sent YOW an email for passenger numbers. Strange we still don't have January numbers yet and it will soon be February numbers time.

Thanks as I was going to do the same thing.

Barring weather, today should easily set the post-March 2020 record of 93 that was set just a couple of weeks ago. Will check at the end of the night.

Today’s departure count: 98

Sun flights count (both transborder & international): 16

Today's cancellation count (so far): 0

Included in there is a 5T charter today to LGA - 5T 6184 departing gate 2 at 1545 - good spotting opportunity upon pushback. Wonder what that's for? It's definitely not a ferry flight for a hockey charter as Anaheim are in town tomorrow, but they're coming from YYZ. It could still be going out empty except for the crew given it's transborder and the need to preclear.

[Dominion301]

Originally Posted by mxg308

Sent YOW an email for passenger numbers. Strange we still don't have January numbers yet and it will soon be February numbers time.

Looks like your asking paid off. January and February posted:

January

Sector / Jan-25 / Jan-26 / % Change
Dom: 244,424 / 248,762 / +1.8%
TB: 73,113 / 69,481 / -5.0%
Int'l: 65,445 / 89,761 / +37.2% - "only" took 14 years to surpass the prior record for a month of 73,607 set all the way back in January 2012
TTL: 382,982 / 408,004 / +6.5%

January % of traffic recovered vs 2019
Sector % recovered Jan 2024 vs Jan 2019
Dom: 91.1%
TB: 104.4%
Int'l: 140.6%
TTL: 101.1% - first time post-March 2020 traffic was higher than the same month in 2019 and it was higher than January 2020 too.

12 Months Rolling / % Change vs Year End 2024
Dom: 3,658,622 / +6.6%
TB: 722,679 / -2.5%
Int'l: 509,957 / +17.5% - first time YOW's ever handled over 1/2 million international pax in a 12 month period.
TTL: 4,891,258 / +6.2%

February

Sector / Feb-25 / Feb-26 / % Change
Dom: 235,054 / 251,741 / +7.1%
TB: 79,032 / 72,123 / -8.7%
Int'l: 60,962 / 78,378 / +28.6%
TTL: 375,048 / 402,242 / +7.3%

Sector / YTD 2025 / YTD 2026 / % Change
Dom: 479,478 / 500,503 / +4.4%
TB: 152,145 / 141,604 / -6.9%
Int'l: 126,407 / 168,139 / +33.0%
TTL: 758,030 / 810,246 / +6.9%

February % of traffic recovered vs 2019 / YTD vs 2019
Sector / February / YTD % recovered
Dom: 90.9% / 91.0%
TB: 105.7% / 105.0%
Int'l: 131.5% / 136.2%
TTL: 99.4% / 100.2% - only 95.5% of February 2020, but that was a leap year

12 Months Rolling / % Change vs Year End 2024
Dom: 3,675,309 / +7.1%
TB: 715,770 / -3.5%
Int'l: 527,373 / +21.5%
TTL: 4,918,452 / +6.8%

[Dominion301]

Originally Posted by Dominion301

Thanks as I was going to do the same thing.

Barring weather, today should easily set the post-March 2020 record of 93 that was set just a couple of weeks ago. Will check at the end of the night.

Today’s departure count: 98

Sun flights count (both transborder & international): 16

Today's cancellation count (so far): 0

Included in there is a 5T charter today to LGA - 5T 6184 departing gate 2 at 1545 - good spotting opportunity upon pushback. Wonder what that's for? It's definitely not a ferry flight for a hockey charter as Anaheim are in town tomorrow, but they're coming from YYZ. It could still be going out empty except for the crew given it's transborder and the need to preclear.

I also see PD had an extra departure to YHZ today probably to recover from the bad weather the past couple of days.

This evening AC 345 is on gate 28, AF 327's on 15B and AC 888's on 17B.