Winnipeg James Armstrong Richardson International Airport (commonly known as Winnipeg Richardson International Airport) is Canada’s 7th busiest aviation hub serving Winnipeg and acting as a gateway hub to Northern Manitoba along with Northwestern Ontario and Nunavut.
Located 7km and west of downtown Winnipeg, several options allow travellers to reach the city centre.
Dispute it’s size, YWG has strong domestic connections throughout Canada to all major cities. Additionally, the airport is a hub for regional airlines such as Bearskin Airlines, Calm Air, and Perimeter Aviation. It is also a focus city for WestJet.
Good to know …
Terminals information
Main Terminal
- Hosts domestic, international, and U.S. flights under one roof.
- U.S. bound flights are separated after preclearance.
Perimeter Aviation Terminal
- Used exclusively for Perimeter Aviation flights as they operate are all smaller, propeller aircraft to Northern Manitoba and Northwestern Ontario.
- Located 2.6 km south from Main Terminal.
Notes
- There is no official shuttle between the two terminals.
Pros
- The main terminal is compact with short walking distance between areas.
- Close to downtown Winnipeg making for a short trip.
- U.S. preclearance means a smoother trip for travellers heading to the states.
- WestJet’s unique service to Reykjavik provides a faster way to reach Europe without having to connect through Calgary or Toronto.
- Strong connections to Western and Eastern Canada.
- Multitude of flights to sun and Caribbean destinations.
- Less overwhelming than other major aviation hubs.
- Easy-to-navigate and compact terminal.
Cons
- Some routes (U.S., sun and Caribbean) are highly seasonal.
- Smaller international network with fewer competing airlines.
- Limited nonstop European service with Reykjavik, Iceland being the only destinations
Notes
- Overall: YWG is an easy-to-navigate airport that serves as an important hub to remote communities to the north. While offerings flights beyond to major destinations.