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Gateway to Canada's Northwest Territories and the Arctic.
Opened
1948
Location
Yellowknife, Canada
Yellowknife International Airport (YZF/CYZF) is the primary commercial airport serving Yellowknife, the capital city of Canada's Northwest Territories. Situated approximately 5 kilometres east of the city centre, it functions as the main air hub for the region, connecting the territorial capital to southern Canada and to remote northern communities.
The airport plays a critical role in supporting the Northwest Territories' economy, which relies heavily on mining, government services, and tourism. It handles both scheduled passenger flights and a significant volume of charter and cargo traffic serving remote Indigenous communities and resource extraction operations.
Yellowknife is a popular destination for aurora borealis viewing and other Arctic tourism activities, contributing to seasonal passenger traffic peaks, particularly in winter months.
Terminals
The airport has a single passenger terminal building that handles all commercial and general aviation traffic.
Getting to & from
Ground transportation between the airport and downtown Yellowknife is available via taxi and rental car services, as there is no regular public bus service directly connecting the two.
Airlines here
Major carriers serving YZF include Air Canada, Canadian North, and Air North, offering connections to Edmonton, Calgary, Ottawa, and northern communities.
Notable facts
- ›Yellowknife Airport is one of the busiest airports in northern Canada by cargo volume.
- ›The airport sits at an elevation of approximately 675 metres (2,214 feet) above sea level.
- ›Extreme cold weather operations are common, with temperatures frequently dropping below -40°C in winter.
- ›The airport serves as a logistical hub for diamond mining operations in the Northwest Territories.
- ›It is a key staging point for medevac and search-and-rescue operations across the Canadian North.
This profile is provided for general information only. Details may be inaccurate or outdated — always verify with the airport's official website before acting on them.
