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Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier International Airport

Ottawa, Canada
Explore Ottawa city guide Navigate to this airport
45
Routes out
26
Destinations
CYOW
ICAO
374 ft
Elevation
AirlinesAirports profile

Canada's capital gateway serving Ottawa and the National Capital Region.

Opened
1928
Location
Ottawa, Canada
Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier International Airport (IATA: YOW, ICAO: CYOW) is the primary commercial airport serving Ottawa, Ontario, Canada's federal capital. Named in honour of Canada's first two Prime Ministers, Sir John A. Macdonald and Sir George-Étienne Cartier, it handles millions of passengers annually and connects the capital to domestic and international destinations. The airport is operated by the Ottawa International Airport Authority and is located approximately 10 kilometres south of downtown Ottawa. It serves as an important hub for government travel and diplomatic traffic given its proximity to federal institutions. A major terminal redevelopment completed in the 2000s significantly modernized the facility, expanding capacity and improving passenger amenities. The airport handles scheduled passenger service, cargo operations, and general aviation.
Terminals
The airport operates a single integrated terminal building with both domestic and international processing facilities under one roof.
Getting to & from
Ground transport options include taxis, ride-share services, and OC Transpo bus routes connecting the airport to downtown Ottawa and the city's light rail transit network.
Airlines here
Major carriers include Air Canada, WestJet, and Porter Airlines, alongside international carriers such as Air Transat and various U.S. cross-border operators.
Notable facts
  • ›Named after Canada's first two Prime Ministers, Sir John A. Macdonald and Sir George-Étienne Cartier.
  • ›Located approximately 10 km south of downtown Ottawa.
  • ›Operated by the Ottawa International Airport Authority, a non-share capital corporation.
  • ›A major terminal expansion and modernization was completed in 2008.
  • ›The airport is a key hub for Canadian government and diplomatic travel.
Official website Wikipedia
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 Details may be inaccurate or outdated — always verify with the airport's official website before acting on them.

Route map (26 destinations)

Leaflet © OpenStreetMap © CARTO

Routes

YOW → YFB5T · 73M
YOW → YFB7F · 73M
YOW → YZF4N · 737
YOW → PHLAA · CRJ
YOW → BOSAC · DH1
YOW → IADAC · ERJ
YOW → LGAAC · CRJ
YOW → YQBAC · DH1
YOW → YULAC · E90
YOW → DCAAC · CRJ
YOW → YEGAC · E90 320
YOW → YFCAC · DH1
YOW → YVRAC · 320 763
YOW → YWGAC · CRA
YOW → CLTAA · CRJ
YOW → FRAAC · 333
YOW → LHRAC · 763
YOW → ORDAC · ERJ E70
YOW → YHZAC · E90
YOW → YQMAC · CRJ
YOW → YYTAC · CRA
YOW → YYZAC · 320 319 E90 763 E75
YOW → YXUAC · DH1
YOW → YYCAC · E90 320
YOW → DTWDL · CRJ
YOW → YYZKL · 737
YOW → LHRLH · 763
YOW → FRALH · 333
YOW → YFBMO · 73M
YOW → YHZPD · DH4
YOW → YQMPD · DH4
YOW → YTZPD · DH4
YOW → BOSUA · DH1
YOW → EWRUA · ERJ E70
YOW → IADUA · ERJ
YOW → LGAUA · CRJ
YOW → ORDUA · ERJ E70
YOW → PHLUS · CRJ
YOW → CLTUS · CRJ
YOW → YWGWS · 73W
YOW → YYTWS · 73W
YOW → YYZWS · 736 73W
YOW → YHZWS · 73W
YOW → YEGWS · 73W
YOW → YYCWS · 73W 736
Hotels near YOW

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City & Place Guide

Canada's capital blends history, nature, and vibrant culture seamlessly.

Ottawa sits on the southern bank of the Ottawa River, serving as Canada's federal capital since 1857. The city is home to iconic government buildings, world-class museums, and a lively arts scene that punches well above its weight for a city of its size.

Visitors can explore the historic Rideau Canal, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that transforms into the world's largest naturally frozen skating rink each winter. The ByWard Market neighborhood buzzes with local vendors, restaurants, and nightlife year-round, giving the city a warm, approachable energy despite its official reputation.

  • •Parliament Hill — Canada's seat of government with free tours and the dramatic Sound and Light show.
  • •Canadian Museum of History — stunning architecture and sweeping exhibits on Indigenous and Canadian heritage.
  • •Rideau Canal — skate in winter or kayak in summer along this iconic waterway.
  • •National Gallery of Canada — holds the country's premier fine art collection including major Canadian works.
  • •ByWard Market — historic public market perfect for local produce, Beavertails, and people-watching.
  • •Canadian War Museum — powerful, architecturally striking tribute to Canada's military history.

Getting around: OC Transpo operates an extensive bus network and the O-Train light rail system, which connects major neighborhoods and the airport efficiently. Taxis and rideshares like Uber are widely available. The city is also very bike-friendly, with extensive dedicated paths, and many central attractions are walkable from downtown hotels.

Best time: Late spring through early fall (May–October) offers the most comfortable weather, though the winter Winterlude festival makes January and February uniquely festive.

Local food: Don't miss a classic Beavertail pastry at ByWard Market, poutine from any local chip wagon, and fresh maple products sourced from nearby Quebec sugar bushes.

This guide is provided for general information only. Verify details locally before making travel decisions.

Passport, Visa & Immigration

Flying internationally via YOW? Check entry, transit and customs requirements for Canada from official government sources.

Canada visa & entry information →Embassy & consulate finder →
Ottawa Macdonald–Cartier International Airport
Encyclopaedia

Ottawa/Macdonald–Cartier International Airport or simply Ottawa International Airport is the main international airport serving the National Capital Region of Canada which contains the cities of Ottawa, Ontario and Gatineau, Quebec. Located 8 nautical miles south of downtown Ottawa in the south end of the city, it is Canada's sixth-busiest airport, Ontario's second-busiest airport by airline passenger traffic, with 4,866,236 passengers in 2025. The airport is a major hub for Porter Airlines, a focus city for Air Canada and Air Transat and a home base for Canadian North. The airport is named after the Canadian statesmen and two of the "founding fathers of Canada", Sir John A. Macdonald and Sir George-Étienne Cartier.

Read full article on Wikipedia

Entity data from open aviation datasets (OurAirports, OpenFlights) with AI-assisted editorial clearly marked. Always confirm time-sensitive details with the official airport website. Sources & verification