OTTAWA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT (YOW) INFORMATION

Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier International Airport or Macdonald-Cartier International Airport (French: L'aéroport international Macdonald-Cartier) (IATA: YOW, ICAO: CYOW) is the main international airport serving the city of Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.

Named after John A. Macdonald and George-Étienne Cartier, the facility is approximately 10 kilometers away in the south of downtown Ottawa.

Although it is no longer a Canadian Forces Base, the airport is still home to the Royal Canadian Air Force's 412 Transport Squadron, which provides air transport for Canadian and foreign government officials.

Today, the airport is one of the busiest in Canada. It is also one of eight Canadian airports with United States border preclearance facilities.

Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier International Airport has two runways. Its annual passenger traffic plummeted to 1.3 million in 2020 due to the global Covid-19 pandemic.

In 2018, YOW registered a record number of passenger traffic of 5.1 million - the highest in the airport’s entire history. It is 115 meters above sea level at 45°19′21″N and 075°40′02″W.

Arrivals, Departures and Airlines at Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier International Airport

• See live flight arrivals information at Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier International Airport
• See live flight departures information at Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier International Airport
• See all airlines and routes that serve Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier International Airport

History of Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier International Airport

In 1927, the airport was opened at Uplands south of Ottawa. During World War II, the airport hosted the No. 2 Service Flying Training School for the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan, providing advanced pilot training in Harvard and Yale aircraft.

In 1950, to allow for a southward expansion of the airport, nearby farming communities were expropriated. The current main airport terminal still stands on the same site and bears the name "Brownsville Road," the former name of the farming community.

During the 1950s, while the airport was still named Uplands and a joint-use civilian/military field, it was the busiest airport in Canada by takeoffs and landings.

In its early days, the airport already had scheduled flights by Trans-Canada Air Lines (to Toronto, Montreal, and Val-d'Or), Trans Air (to Churchill), and Eastern Air Lines (to New York via Syracuse; and to Washington via Montreal).

With the arrival of civilian jet travel, the Canadian government built a new field south of the original one, with two much longer runways and a new terminal building designed to handle close to a million passengers annually.

Initially, the new terminal building was set to open in 1959. But during the opening ceremonies, the US Air Force F-104 Starfighter went supersonic over the facility. That incident broke most of the glass in the airport and damaged ceilings, doors, and windows, and even structural beams of the building.

The airport was renamed Ottawa International Airport in 1964, and in 1993 it became Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier International Airport.

In 2017, the Canadian Border Services Agency started to use facial recognition technology at the facility to process incoming international travelers.

This system streamlined the immigration procedure at the airport. All international passengers are directed to Primary Inspection Kiosks before seeing a Border Services Officer and are no longer required to fill out a declaration card.

Today, Macdonald-Cartier Airport is a busy air corridor between Ottawa, Montreal, and Toronto.

It is the gateway for flights to the eastern Arctic via Iqaluit. It also serves many major North American airlines to Europe and several cities in the United States.

Transfer Services at Ottawa International Airport

Ottawa Airport provides several modes of efficient ground transportation for its customers. Services to and from Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier International Airport (YOW), including rental cars, taxis, rideshares, shuttles, and buses are at the Ground Transportation Center.

Planning your transfer options before hitting the road will give you peace of mind in Canada.

Before leaving your home, know what items are allowed in your carry-on bag, what you can pack in your checked baggage, and what items are prohibited.

For the convenience and direction of the riding public, passengers may approach the Airport Information Desk for transport assistance anytime.

Rental Car Services at Ottawa International Airport

The car rental center is on Level 1 (P1) of the Parkade Parking. Please follow overhead signs at the facility after collecting your luggage in the designated Baggage Claim area. See and compare all rental car companies at Ottawa Airport.

Ride Shares at Ottawa International Airport

The designated pick-up area is on the roadway in front of the terminal building.

Passengers can reserve rideshare by downloading the company’s app on their smartphone and coordinating directly with their driver. They can also request a ride a few days before their flight to avoid the inconvenience.

Ridesharing apps should let users verify the identity of drivers by checking out their faces, license plates, and colors.

Taxis at Ottawa International Airport

Airport taxis to downtown Ottawa cost $34.00. Taxi ranks are at the exit from the terminal.

If you need to travel outside the city area, please consult your driver for rates. It is customary to give the driver a tip (15-20% of the fare) for good service.

Keep a record of the cab company, vehicle number, and the driver's name when traveling to and from the airport, just in case you leave something behind. More information about taxis at Ottawa Airport.

Trains at Ottawa International Airport

As of this update, there is no train station at the airport. Alternatively, Bus Route 97 conveniently connects passengers to O-Train, Ottawa’s light rail system. See more information about the O-Train rail service near Ottawa Airport.

Fare: Bus tickets are $1.30, and O-Train tickets cost $2.85.

Buses at Ottawa International Airport

Ottawa is accessible by Bus Route 97 from the airport. It departs from the platform near the Arrivals Hall. It runs from the airport to downtown Ottawa, providing connections to O-Train.

Bus tickets cost $1.30, and O-Train tickets cost $2.85. More information about bus services to and from Ottawa Airport.

Hotel Shuttle Services at Ottawa International Airport

Many hotels in Ottawa provide hotel shuttle services. Passengers may confirm with their local hotel if this is available at the accommodation. Shuttles pick up and drop passengers at the Ground Transportation Center.

Parking at Ottawa International Airport

The airport provides safe and comfortable parking spaces for your vehicle at any time. It is open 24/7. The facility accepts cash or credit cards. More details about short and long term parking at Ottawa Airport.

Other Services at Ottawa International Airport

Wi-Fi at Ottawa International Airport

The airport provides free wireless internet service throughout the airport.

ATMs at Ottawa International Airport

The ATM cash machines at the airport are in the following areas:

• Pre-security, Level 1, Open 24 hours a day
• Pre-security, Level 1, Royal Bank, Open 24 hours a day
• Pre-security, Level 3, Open 24 hours a day
• Post-security - Canada/International, Level 2, Open 24 hours a day

Currency Exchange at Ottawa International Airport

Foreign Exchange Desks are conveniently available outside Canada Customs and Immigration on Level One and across from the US check-in counters in Level Three.

Nursing Stations at Ottawa International Airport

Nursing Rooms at YOW offer comfortable seating, sinks with hand-dryers, access to electrical outlets, mirrors, and room for personal belongings.

They are located at:

• Pre-security, Level 1, Open 24 hours a day
• Post-security, (U.S.), Level 2, Open 24 hours a day
• Post-security, (Canada/International), Level 2, Gate 14 and Gate 18, Open 24 hours a day

Restrooms at Ottawa International Airport

Accessible restrooms and regular restrooms are throughout the airport.

Food and Beverages at Ottawa International Airport

There are food and beverages shops throughout the airport terminals. Most food concessions operate on varying schedules.

Shopping at Ottawa International Airport

You can do some last-minute shopping inside the facility. Travelers arriving at the facility have a wide range of shopping options to choose from, including gift stores and newsagents, as well as music, clothing, and jewelry stores.

Smoking at Ottawa International Airport

Smoking is only permitted in designated areas outside the terminals. Please follow smoking regulations at the facility.

Lost and Found Section at Ottawa International Airport

The Lost & Found Office at Ottawa Airport can be found at Pre-security level 1, in the Arrivals Hall. Service hours: 24/7.

For items lost on the aircraft or at the gate area, please contact the respective airlines lost and found.

If you lost an item in any other area at the airport, including the security checkpoints and shuttle buses, please contact the Lost and Found Office at +1 613-248-2054.

You can also complete the Lost and Found process at the Information Desk located on the Ground Floor, near Baggage Claim.

When leaving your details for lost items(s), please include your full name, contact details, phone, email, and a description of the item(s).

The airport will keep all lost and found items for a considerable time of at least 30 days. After said period, the property will be deemed abandoned. Please talk to the airport representative at the counter.

Ticketing at Ottawa International Airport

Please look for overhead signs pointing in the direction of ticketing areas at the terminals. Each airline has its operating hours, but typically, airlines open their ticket counters two hours before departure time, even for early morning flights.

Ideally, passengers book the ticket in advance to avoid inconvenience. Please consult your air carrier or travel agent for more details.

Information Desk at Ottawa International Airport

The Information Desk assists all passengers. Please approach the airport lobby for further assistance. For general information, you can call on + 1 613-248-2125.

Pet Relief at Ottawa International Airport

A designated animal relief area is across the street from the terminal (Level 1) along with the Parkade (P1).

Animals are not permitted at the airport unless they are in proper pet carriers to assist disabled individuals.

Baggage Claim at Ottawa International Airport

Please retrieve luggage at your designated Baggage Claim area at the Ground Level of the airport. Carts are available to assist passengers with special needs.

In the case of missing items, contact your respective airline or their airline ticket counter. Passengers can also inquire from the Information Desk for further assistance.

Airport Lost and Found Phone: +1 613-248-2054.

When leaving a message, include your name, email, contact phone number, and a brief description of the lost item(s).

Disabled Passengers at Ottawa International Airport

The airport is fully accessible to passengers with special needs, and wheelchairs are allowed to the gates and aircraft doors.

Travelers with disabilities or medical needs who have questions about the policies or procedures at security checkpoints can call +1 613-248-2125.

Additionally, passengers or their representatives may notify the airline, travel agent, ticketing agent, flight attendant, or gate agent when carts, wheelchairs, or medical transportation is needed.

Things to do in Ottawa

There are a number of activities to suit all ages and interests in the region - see a selection of tourist activities in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.

Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier International Airport Contacts

Address: 1000 Airport Parkway Private, Ottawa, ON K1V 9B4, Canada
General Phone: +1 613-248-2125
General Email: https://yow.ca/en/corporate/airport-authority/contact-us
Lost and Found Email: https://yow.ca/en/corporate/airport-authority/contact-us
Lost and Found Phone: +1 613-248-2054
Official Website: https://yow.ca/en

Local Information

Drive on: Right
Electricity: 120V/60Hz.
Plug: A, B
Currency: CA$, Can$, C$, Canadian $
Wi-Fi at Airport: The free Wi-Fi at the facility is provided by the Ottawa International Airport Authority. You can access them throughout the facility at any time.