Winnipeg James Armstrong Richardson International Airport

Winnipeg James Armstrong Richardson International Airport
Name	Winnipeg James Armstrong Richardson International Airport
IATA	YWG
ICAO	CYWG
Owner	Transport Canada
Operator	Winnipeg Airports Authority
City-served	Winnipeg
Location	Richardson, Manitoba
Hub	* Calm Air * Perimeter Aviation * Flair Airlines
Elevation-f	783
Elevation-m	239
Coordinates	49, 54, 36, N...
Website	https://www.waa.ca
R1-number	13/31
R1-length-m	2,652
R1-length-f	8,700
R1-surface	Asphalt
R2-number	18/36
R2-length-m	3,352
R2-length-f	11,000
R2-surface	Asphalt

Winnipeg James Armstrong Richardson International Airport is the primary airport serving Winnipeg, Manitoba, and the Prairie provinces. Operated by the Winnipeg Airports Authority, it functions as a major hub for Calm Air, Perimeter Aviation, and Flair Airlines. The facility is named for James Armstrong Richardson Sr., a pioneer of Canadian aviation and founder of Western Canada Airways.

History

The airport's origins trace to 1928 when the City of Winnipeg opened Stevenson Aerodrome to support the growing aviation industry. It was renamed in honor of James Armstrong Richardson Sr. in 1930. During the Second World War, it served as a crucial training base for the Royal Canadian Air Force under the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan. Significant post-war development included the opening of a new terminal in 1964 and the transfer of ownership from Transport Canada to the Winnipeg Airports Authority in 1997. A major redevelopment culminated in a new, state-of-the-art terminal opening in October 2011.

Facilities

The airport features a single, modern terminal with 27 gates capable of handling both domestic and international flights. It is home to one of Canada's primary Canada Border Services Agency facilities for processing international arrivals. The airfield contains two runways, with the primary Runway 18/36 being one of the longest in Canada at 11,000 feet. Other notable facilities include the National Research Council's Flight Research Laboratory and the headquarters of the Royal Canadian Air Force's 1 Canadian Air Division.

Airlines and destinations

The airport serves as a focus city for several carriers, offering direct flights to major Canadian cities like Toronto, Vancouver, and Calgary. Key international destinations include Minneapolis, Denver, and seasonal services to sun destinations like Cancún. Primary carriers include Air Canada, WestJet, Delta Air Lines, and Flair Airlines, alongside regional operators Calm Air and Perimeter Aviation.

Statistics

It is the seventh-busiest airport in Canada by passenger traffic and a critical cargo hub, ranking among the top for freight tonnage. Pre-COVID-19 pandemic, it handled approximately 4.5 million passengers annually. The airport is a major employer in the Winnipeg region and contributes significantly to the provincial economy. Its operations support key local industries, including Boeing Canada Technology and StandardAero.

Ground transportation

The airport is connected to Winnipeg's city center via Winnipeg Transit Route 20 and the Richardson International Airport station on the Southwest Transitway. Multiple car rental agencies, including Hertz and Enterprise Rent-A-Car, operate on-site. Taxi and rideshare services like Uber are readily available, and the facility is directly accessible from the Perimeter Highway and PTH 100.

Accidents and incidents

A significant accident occurred on October 10, 1960, when a Trans-Canada Air Lines Douglas DC-8 crashed during a training flight, resulting in fatalities. On December 17, 1997, an Air Canada Boeing 767 experienced a landing gear malfunction but landed safely with no injuries. The airport has also been involved in several high-profile emergency landings and security incidents, including the 2006 diversion of an Air France flight due to a security threat.

Category:Airports in Manitoba Category:Transport in Winnipeg Category:Buildings and structures in Winnipeg