Airport Growth Plan
YKF Airport Growth Plan 2026
YKF has a new Airport Growth Plan!
The 2026 YKF Airport Growth Plan is a long term vision and strategy document that has been informed by passengers, airline partners, aviation and aerospace partners, residents and the business community within Waterloo Region, Guelph and First Nations.
The YKF long term plan aligns with industry demand and opportunities, and the growth projected for the population of Waterloo Region.
YKF has experienced the fastest growth of all Canadian airports and consistently ranks as one of the top 20 busiest airports in the country.
The 2023 economic impact study reported that YKFs total annual operations generated:
- $390 million in total economic output
- 1,360 jobs and $100 million in wages, including 660 jobs at YKF
- $170 million in Gross Domestic Product (GDP)
- $28 million in tax revenue (local, provincial and federal)
The 2026 YKF Airport Growth Plan has 5 key themes:
YKF as a Mobility Hub for a growing community
Just In Time Infrastructure Strategy
Sustainability and Environment
Aerospace Sector Development
Managing Competing Land Uses
This page will be updated as work advances on the initiatives within the Airport Growth Plan.
View the June 2, 2026 Presentation to Council YKF Airport Growth Plan 2026 Overview Deck Council View the full Airport Growth Plan Read the Council Report
Recent Progress
The Region has been developing based on the 2017 Airport Master Plan. Recent projects include:
- Air Service Development
- Terminal Building Expansion
- Federal Airport Zoning Regulations Update
- Master Servicing Study
- Runway 14-32 Extensions Assessment and Design
- Terminal Expansion Feasibility and Site Selection Study
- Parking Expansion
- Natural Heritage Management Plan
2017 Master Plan Documents
Accessible formats and communication support are available for all documents. Please phone 519-575-4400 to request an alternate format.