Hamilton International Airport

[Innsertnamehere]

Great news. I'm really interested to see the terminal expansion information, as they will have bigger plans than just 4 daily domestic flights if they are doing a terminal expansion.

[SteelTown]

The summer schedule will likely include USA routes (please bring back Las Vegas) and hopefully this time next year they'll include the Caribbean.

[mishap]

Originally Posted by urban_planner

As far as we know it's Porter with terminal expansion.

Wonder if that terminal expansion has anything to do with the boreholes they were drilling on the weekend. Testing? That would hopefully mean the project is not too far off.

[SteelTown]

https://x.com/flyyhm

The moment you’ve all been waiting for is coming soon…

[SteelTown]

https://www.businesswire.com/news/ho...th-Four-Routes

[shoelessjoe]

Exterior renders look great.

Also...jetbridges?!?!?!

[SteelTown]

Airport enhancements will include an updated exterior frontage with new and expanded canopies to improve curb operations, and a refresh of terminal interiors from check-in counters and passenger screening areas to gate seating and baggage claim. Integration of architectural elements and finishes inspired by the region’s natural geography will lend the airport a unique sense of place, while new digital signage and lighting upgrades will enhance the overall travel journey. Additionally, future enhancements will include passenger jet bridges to connect the terminal directly to aircraft – a first for Hamilton International – and terminal infrastructure upgrades to position the airport for future expansion to accommodate expected air traffic growth.

https://bayobserver.ca/porter-airlin...oogle_vignette

[YYCguys]

So when Westjet was expanding at YHM (well before the decision to move to YYZ), YHM wouldn’t expand/renovate the terminal, but now that Porter has decided to move in, they will expand and renovate? What is Porter offering as an incentive for YHM to make the investments?

[JakeLRS]

Originally Posted by YYCguys

So when Westjet was expanding at YHM (well before the decision to move to YYZ), YHM wouldn’t expand/renovate the terminal, but now that Porter has decided to move in, they will expand and renovate? What is Porter offering as an incentive for YHM to make the investments?

Hamilton was planning one expanding the terminal to a size similar to that of Winnipeg (the design looked similar to YEG).

Those plans were scrapped once WS left for YYZ.

Since then, the airport has only received some new screens, wall paper, an international landing expansion and new carpeting.

This is probably the most major expansion in about 20 years.

I'm assuming Vintage is putting up a majority of the funds for the expansion. Not sure if Porter has any contributions here to the terminal building. I'm also curious if Hamilton struck a sort of "exclusivity" deal like YKF did with flair. I'm certain Porter was well aware of Westjet's predatory practices at YHM in the past.



A major tidbit here:

""We see significant opportunity in this market to expand our network across North America and believe that the community can support these initial flights — which will position us to consider offering additional service from Hamilton.""

It other words, if the community fails to support these flights, they are out but if the community supports the flights, they'll expand.

[brandensimon560]

New renderings has been released with a website
https://flyhamilton.ca/travel-refreshed/

[JakeLRS]

Current Summer 2025 outlook:

YHM_S25_Feb2 by freerealms454, on Flickr
EDIT: YYC is 6x weekly and I really over calculated the numbers!


Capacity more than doubled from last summer.

I'm a big fan of the YEG departure time.

I'd imagine WS will now increase YYC service, up to 2x daily. YKF/YXU all have more service than us and that's likely because they have competition from Flair.

[SteelTown]

• Video Link

Skip to 7:10ish to see the renderings

[YYCguys]

Originally Posted by JakeLRS

Current Summer 2025 outlook:

YHM_S25_Feb2 by freerealms454, on Flickr
EDIT: YYC is 6x weekly and I really over calculated the numbers!


Capacity more than doubled from last summer.

I'm a big fan of the YEG departure time.

I'd imagine WS will now increase YYC service, up to 2x daily. YKF/YXU all have more service than us and that's likely because they have competition from Flair.

At least Porter has a consistent product (E2-132 seats). Westjet appears to have a mix of aircraft including a former Swoop/Lynx aircraft used on Mondays/Wednesdays/Fridays!

[LikeHamilton]

There is lots of background work going on locating items, cables, pipes, checking old drawings. Full work starts Monday February 10 with hoardings going up and demolition starting. There is Several phases for this project. Inside they will start by closing off half of the check-in counters and start demolition.

[JakeLRS]

Originally Posted by LikeHamilton

There is lots of background work going on locating items, cables, pipes, checking old drawings. Full work starts Monday February 10 with hoardings going up and demolition starting. There is Several phases for this project. Inside they will start by closing off half of the check-in counters and start demolition.

Good thing we don't need that many check-in counters right now

We could honestly get away with probably only needing two of them and moving the AC one in the hall.

Very curious how they plan on expanding the check-in area.. Are they planning to cut into the current baggage drop area?

If the jeways are set to be build in the fall, it seems like they'll be ground level... which is unique. The incline up will suck for some lol!

[YYCguys]

Originally Posted by JakeLRS

If the jeways are set to be build in the fall, it seems like they'll be ground level... which is unique. The incline up will suck for some lol!

YXU has ground level jet bridges (2, I think) but I don’t recall what the incline is like as I haven’t been there for years!

[ScreamingViking]

Spec article says the airside bridges will be done by next winter:

Future work at the airport includes the addition of passenger jet bridges, which will connect the terminal directly to the aircraft, meaning travellers will no longer have to walk across the tarmac.

Those are expected to be complete by next winter, added Horncastle.

https://www.thespec.com/business/por...570803bfd.html


I don't want to dampen enthusiasm, but this all sounds very familiar. There were big plans when WestJet wanted to make Hamilton Airport its eastern hub... then the airline moved most of its operations to Pearson and the expansion planning was kaput.

Much like the Canadian international trade issue, Vantage putting eggs into a single basket is a recipe for a poor-tasting omelet. Hopefully there are irons in other fires.

[Djeffery]

Originally Posted by YYCguys

YXU has ground level jet bridges (2, I think) but I don’t recall what the incline is like as I haven’t been there for years!

I think those are the 2 original bridges from over 20 years ago, I don't think they even use them anymore. They are quite the walk to the plane on those, I don't remember even using them. They always still parked right in front and you walked outside, before they built the current building with the 4 bridges. And unfortunately, I don't think the terminal ever got busy enough to need that many bridges in use at a time.

[HamAviMech]

Originally Posted by ScreamingViking

Spec article says the airside bridges will be done by next winter.

Yes next winter as in not the winter we're currently in. It will be completed by the end of this year.

[BCTed]

Originally Posted by JakeLRS

Current Summer 2025 outlook:

YHM_S25_Feb2 by freerealms454, on Flickr
EDIT: YYC is 6x weekly and I really over calculated the numbers!


Capacity more than doubled from last summer.

I'm a big fan of the YEG departure time.

I'd imagine WS will now increase YYC service, up to 2x daily. YKF/YXU all have more service than us and that's likely because they have competition from Flair.

Why would WS increase the YYC service?