Each airport makes a unique and vital contribution to its region.
You can find out more about the economic impact of 29 of Canada’s airports here.
Canada’s air transportation industry is at the heart of Canada’s 21st century economy. Without a competitive and efficient airport and airline industry, Canada’s business networks and social institutions would not function to their maximum potential. Air transport enables Canadians to connect with each other; it allows families to explore other parts of the world, but it is also at the core of Canada’s economic future.
A national economic impact study found that Canada’s airports:
- Served 140 million passengers in 2016;
- Contributes $19 billion dollars to Canada’s GDP;
- Generates 355,000 jobs, including 194,000 direct jobs; and
- Contributes $6.9 billion in taxes to federal, provincial and municipal governments.
Canada is a trade-dependent economy and one in three jobs depends on exports. Canadian business leaders know they have to think globally to compete and they increasingly rely on Canada’s air transportation networks to test markets, meet customers and deliver their goods and services. In addition, many of the tangible products Canada produces come from remote and northern regions and many of Canada’s customers for raw materials, goods and services are located overseas. Growth in the economy, both domestically and internationally, is heavily reliant upon Canada’s air transportation sector.
Simply put, Canada’s air transportation infrastructure makes international trade and investment possible. A healthy and competitive environment with strong and vibrant air carriers and airports is good not only for the industry, but also for the Canadian economy and society.
A summary has also been developed of the economic impact of Canada’s airports, which includes anecdotes from airports across the country. Learn more here.
