Canada’s airports have invested more than $9.5 billion in infrastructure improvements over the past decade.Beyond ensuring that Canada’s aviation system has the capacity it will need to meet growth in years to come, these projects have brought with them jobs and economic spin-offs, contributing to Canada’s overall economic strength.

The economic impact of Canada’s airports is staggering. In day to day operations, they create more than $45 billion in economic activity in the communities they serve. And more than 200,000 jobs are directly associated with Canada’s airports, generating a payroll of more than $8 billion annually.

Tourism is a $70.6 billion industry in Canada and Canada’s airports represent important domestic and international gateways.Improved air access links – domestic and international – mean increased tourism for traditional and newly discovered tourist markets in Canada.These tourists spend millions in local restaurants, shops, hotels and other local businesses.

Meanwhile Canadians businesses enjoy increased trade links and opportunities facilitated by air access.Due to a healthy network of passenger and air cargo services throughout Canada, even some of the country’s most remote centers are just a couple of flights away from a major Canadian or international market.