The Calgary Airport Authority has announced a series of major capital projects aimed at transforming the domestic terminal at Calgary International Airport (YYC), with improvements set to continue over the next five years. President and CEO Chris Dinsdale outlined the plans during the airport's annual general meeting on Thursday, emphasizing that the renovations will significantly enhance the passenger experience.
Domestic Concourse Overhaul
The centerpiece of the plan is a comprehensive makeover of all three domestic concourses. The second phase of the centralized screening project, which consolidates three security checkpoints into one, is scheduled to open this year. This will substantially increase terminal capacity. Dinsdale noted that the airport is "re-imagining the flow of the domestic terminal."
Concourse B, which suffered extensive damage from a hailstorm in August 2024, is undergoing a complete restoration. In 2025, the 60,000-square-foot roof was replaced, and by 2027, the concourse will be "in effect, a brand-new concourse," according to Dinsdale. He described the progress: "If you went through it, you would not recognize it. It’s completely emptied out. It looks gorgeous. This is going to be one heck of a concourse."
Following Concourse B, the airport will revamp retail spaces, with Concourses A and C scheduled for refurbishment around 2030 to 2031. Once complete, Dinsdale said the terminal will feel entirely new, but at a fraction of the cost of building a new one.
Record Passenger Growth and New Routes
In 2025, YYC served 19.4 million passengers, a 2.7% increase from 2024. July and August each saw over two million passengers, setting new records. Total revenue reached $541 million, up 4.3% from the previous year. The airport added 13 new non-stop routes in 2025, bringing the total to 108. CFO Jen Pon noted that this makes YYC "one of the best-connected airports of its size."
While travel to and from the United States declined, domestic and international travel increased, contributing to the overall growth. Dinsdale said the airport is on track to reach 25.2 million annual passengers by 2030.
Capital Investments and Infrastructure Milestones
More than $233 million was reinvested into the airport in 2025, one of the largest capital spending years in recent history. Key infrastructure milestones included the completion of the west runway and Phase 1 of centralized screening. Additionally, construction began on the new Lufthansa Technik engine maintenance, repair, and overhaul facility in June 2025. This facility, along with the CAE flight simulator and training center, underscores the airport's ambition to become a global aviation hub.
The Calgary Airport Authority positions these investments as part of a larger strategy to support the growth of the airport and Calgary's aviation sector. Dinsdale emphasized that the upgrades will position YYC as a "centre of excellence" for aviation in Canada.
