Quarterly Newsletter | October 7, 2026

 
 

A note from our CEO

As the fall colors begin to appear and the temperatures start to cool, I find myself reflecting on the busy few months we've had at Niagara District Airport. We celebrated 35 years of the NAV CANADA Flight Service Station in July, and our Airport's 97th birthday in September. We've participated in a number of events in the community and welcomed residents to our terminal just last week for Canadian Airports Safety Week, where they had opportunities to learn about our operations and win prizes from our partners.


Unfortunately, we also experienced significant flooding at the airport on a few occasions, as did much of Niagara. I want to thank Town of Niagara-on-the-Lake staff and our operations team for their tremendous efforts in responding to the flooding. Much of the work happened behind the scenes and outside regular business hours, and it was very much appreciated.


We remain focused on advancing our Airport Redevelopment Project. We recently received nearly $10 million from the Government of Ontario, allowing us to move critical planning and design work for the project forward. While this means no shovels are hitting the ground yet, this will position us to seek funding partners for the entirely of our project. More on that below.


The Air Canada Landline motorcoach service continues to grow in popularity, and it's great to see so many residents taking advantage of the service. With demand continuing to build, we're hopeful that the service may increase capacity and offer additional departure times in the future (quite possibly sooner than later!). We also eagerly await the new Niagara - Billy Bishop service to begin, operated by Aspen Air Charters. The service will run 3x daily and will also be connecting to Region of Waterloo International Airport and Muskoka Airport. More on that to come soon.


As our next newsletter won't come out until after the municipal election, I want to thank our Niagara District Airport Commissioners for their leadership, dedication, and contributions over the past four years. Their time, commitment, and thoughtful guidance has played an important role in shaping our Airport's future and has positioned us for continued success heading into next term and the years ahead.

Dan Pilon, CEO

Connect with me on LinkedIn

 
 

Provincial investment in YCM

On July 20, the Government of Ontario announced that they were investing nearly $10 million to help transform Niagara District Airport into a modern regional gateway capable of supporting future commercial passenger service.


The investment is already supporting planning and design work for critical infrastructure upgrades, aimed at unlocking Niagara’s full potential as a world-renowned tourism destination, while supporting local businesses, creating good-paying jobs and driving economic growth across the region.

 

“Niagara is a major contributor to Ontario’s economy, and our government is investing in transportation infrastructure that will allow one of the most renowned tourist destinations on the planet to continue to thrive for generations to come. Our nearly $10-million investment in Niagara’s airport will support improved passenger air services, helping to make it faster and easier for millions of tourists to visit Niagara each year.”

- Prabmeet Sarkaria, Ontario's Minister of Transportation

 
 

Connecting with our community

Over the past several months, the YCM team has been out connecting with residents across Niagara. From the City of Niagara Falls' Annual BBQ event to the Thorold Community Market, staff have been out sharing updates and answering questions about the Airport Redevelopment Project and Air Canada's motorcoach service.

 

Where will we be next?

Look for the Airport team at the St. Catharines Farmers' Market on October 17 and the Welland Farmers' Market on October 31!

 
 

Air Canada Landline motorcoach service

Running three daily round trips between Niagara (YCM) and Toronto Pearson (YYZ), the Air Canada Landline motorcoach service offers Niagara residents and visitors a convenient travel experience for no added cost. Free parking at YCM, comfortable leather seating, and Aeroplan point accrual all offer more reason to book the service. More info


Landline is currently offering a special promotion on standalone tickets. Travellers can book a seat for $44 directly on ca.landline.com. Book now

 

Advertise at YCM

Advertise your business at the airport and gain exposure to the thousands of travellers coming through our terminal, or the millions of people who drive by our Highway 55 road sign each year. Several opportunities and custom packages are available. Reach out to us at the link below to get started.

 
 

Niagara District Airport is owned by City of Niagara Falls, City of St. Catharines, and Town of Niagara-on-the-Lake, and governed by a nine-member commission.

 
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