The Calgary International Airport is the main international airport in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. It is the fourth busiest airport in Canada and the third busiest in Alberta, serving over 17 million passengers in 2019. The airport is located 17 km (11 mi) northeast of downtown Calgary and is a hub for Air Canada, WestJet, and a few other airlines.
The history of the Calgary International Airport began in the 1930s when the city of Calgary purchased a small parcel of land from the Canadian Pacific Railway for the purpose of building an airfield. The airfield was officially opened in 1938, and it was initially used for private aviation and for flight training.
The airport was initially called the Calgary Municipal Airport, but in 1950, it was renamed the Calgary International Airport. This was the first international airport in western Canada and it was seen as an important milestone for the city of Calgary. The airport was chosen to be an international airport to help grow the city's economy and to attract more business and tourists to the area.
In 1951, the airport was given the airport code of YYC. This code was chosen to honor the city of Calgary's centennial, which was celebrated that year. The "YY" stands for "Youth of the Year" and the "C" stands for Calgary.
Today, the Calgary International Airport serves over 500 flights a day and offers direct flights to over 100 destinations worldwide. The airport is served by a variety of airlines, including Air Canada, WestJet, American Airlines, United Airlines, Air Transat, Lufthansa, Delta Air Lines, and others.
The airport boasts numerous amenities, such as free Wi-Fi, duty-free shopping, and a variety of restaurants and bars. It has also recently opened a state-of-the-art international terminal, which is the largest in Canada and one of the largest in North America.
The Calgary International Airport has come a long way since its opening in 1938, and it continues to be an important part of the local economy. It is a major hub for air travel in western Canada and it provides a vital link between Calgary and the rest of the world.
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