Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier International Airport Guide
Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier International Airport sits about 15 km south of downtown Ottawa, serving the National Capital Region of Canada. The airport opened in 1938 and is Canada's sixth-busiest airport by passenger traffic, ranking second in Ontario. A new 61,000 m² terminal opened in 2003, with a further expansion in 2008 adding twelve gates. In January 2025, an O-Train station connected the airport directly to Ottawa's light rail network.
The airport handles domestic, US transborder, and international traffic from a single terminal. Porter Airlines uses YOW as its main hub and operates the most non-stop routes of any carrier at the airport. Air Canada and Air Transat treat it as a focus city, while Canadian North is based here. Direct international service includes year-round Air Canada flights to London Heathrow and Air France service to Paris Charles de Gaulle.
YOW is one of the Canadian airports with a US Customs pre-clearance facility, allowing passengers to clear US customs in Ottawa before departure. The airport handles flights from multiple alliances, including Star Alliance carriers Air Canada and United Airlines and SkyTeam's Air France, alongside a mix of independent carriers.
Services
5 of 6 availableCompare 21 listed options at Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier International Airport, spanning parking, car rentals, lounges, hotels and shuttles. Each guide sets out locations, distance from the airport, key features and links to book direct, so you can weigh cost against convenience before you fly. Select a service below to see every provider we track for Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier International Airport.
Location
Key facts
- Size
- 4.9M passengers (2025)3 runwaysopened 1938
- Location
- 45.322, -75.669
- Operator
- Ottawa International Airport Authority
Terminals
1 terminalOttawa Macdonald-Cartier International Airport has 1 passenger terminal — Main Terminal, handling both international and domestic flights for around 9 airlines. Check which terminal your airline uses before you travel, as check-in, security and boarding points differ between them, and moving from one to another can take time.
- Main TerminalMixed
Porter Airlines, Air Canada, WestJet, Air Transat, United Airlines, Air France, Flair Airlines, Canadian North, PAL Airlines
Nearby cities
2 citiesOttawa Macdonald-Cartier International Airport is closest to Ottawa (13 km north), and also serves Gatineau and other nearby areas. With 2 towns and cities within reach, it is a practical gateway for the wider region. Distances shown are straight-line from the airport, so allow extra time for road transfers, traffic and parking.
- Ottawa13 km north
- Gatineau21 km northwest
Frequently Asked Questions
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What are the airport codes for Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier International Airport?
Where is Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier International Airport located?
Where is Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier International Airport located?
What services are available at Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier International Airport?
What services are available at Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier International Airport?
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