Fixed-based operators (FBOs) at commercial airports are mini terminals that take outstanding care of both private jet travelers and the private planes that carry them. Here, we survey the amenities and plush facilities offered by private jet terminals at major Canadian airports.
Top 15 Airports for Private Jets in Canada
Many airports are equipped with several privately-run fixed-base operators (FBOs) that act as mini terminals, taking care of both the passengers and the private planes that carry them. To help you decide where to fly next, we’ve assembled a list of the top 17 airports in Canada.
Toronto Pearson International Airport
Toronto Pearson International Airport is the largest and busiest Canadian airport, servicing over 47 million passengers each year. If you’re looking for a private airport in Toronto, this one offers some of the most luxurious facilities in the world. The three private jet terminals feature plush, stylish lounges that offer nap rooms, showers, fully-equipped business centers and luxury car rentals. As one of the major airports in Canada, some of the many celebrities who have used Toronto Pearson’s FBOs include Justin Bieber, Bill Clinton and the Dalai Lama.
- Year opened: 1939
- Distance from downtown Toronto: 15 miles
- Land area: 4,613 acres
- Commercial destinations: 165
- Number of FBOs: 3
- Open: 24 hours
Montréal–Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport
Montréal–Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport first came to life as Dorval Airport in 1941. The airport played a significant role in WWII, with thousands of Allied planes setting off from Dorval en route to England. Now, the airport is used by approximately 14 million passengers annually and is the third busiest in Canada. Private jet charter passengers are serviced out of four FBOs. Located away from the hubbub of the commercial airport, the FBOs offer plush lounges with gourmet catering and modern meeting facilities.
- Year opened: 1941
- Distance from downtown Montreal: 12 miles
- Land area: 614 acres
- Commercial destinations: 101
- Number of FBOs: 4
- Open: 24 hours
Montréal Saint-Hubert Longueuil Airport
Montréal Saint-Hubert Longueuil Airport is located in the Saint-Hubert borough of Longueuil, Quebec. This airport was the landing site for what was possibly the first non-stop passenger flight across the Atlantic to land in Canada. Private jet charter passengers are serviced out of four FBOs that offer plush lounges with gourmet catering and modern meeting facilities, set a comfortable distance away from crowds.
- Year opened: 1928
- Distance from downtown Montreal: 9 miles
- Commercial destinations: 4
- Number of FBOs: 4
- Open: 24 hours
Vancouver International Airport
Vancouver International Airport is the premier entry point to British Columbia. Since it first opened in 1931, the airport has grown from servicing 1,072 passengers annually to over 20 million today, making it the second busiest airport in Canada. This is also the site for the Vancouver International Water Airport, where floatplanes can land and dock on the south end of the Fraser River. Travelers flying on a private jet charter are serviced out of three luxurious FBOs equipped with top-notch lounges that offer on-site concierge, car rentals and conference rooms.
- Year opened: 1931
- Distance from downtown Vancouver: 9 miles
- Land area: 3,300 acres
- Commercial destinations: 91
- Number of FBOs: 3
- Open: 24 hours
Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport
Located just a mile from downtown Toronto, Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport offers by far the most convenient entry to the city. Planning for the facility first began in the 1930s, when the airport was intended as the city’s main airport. Construction began and then stopped, as Malton Airport (the future Toronto Pearson International Airport) was designated the city’s main airport instead. While the private jet terminals here are not as lavish as those at Toronto Pearson, many travelers prefer the convenience of this nearby, less crowded airport for their private jet charter. Private jets are serviced out of Trans-Capital FBO, and Porter FBO Limited, which offers catering and Wi-Fi.
- Year opened: 1939
- Distance from downtown Toronto: 1 mile
- Land area: 200 acres
- Commercial destinations: 14
- Number of FBOs: 2
- Open: 05:00 - 23:00
Calgary International Airport
Calgary International Airport is the fourth busiest airport in Canada, serving over 17 million passengers a year. The original airport was constructed in Bowness in 1914 and moved to Renfrew before relocating to its current location just 11 miles northeast of Calgary in 1938. There are four runways and two terminals, including the new international terminal which boasts 185 shops and restaurants, as well as two hotels. Private flights are served by five FBOs that offer VIP passenger services, on-site customs, and amenities such as snooze rooms, private lounges, conference facilities, showers and even a theatre room.
- Year opened: 1914
- Distance from downtown Calgary: 11 miles
- Land area: 5,278 acres
- Commercial destinations: 63
- Number of FBOs: 5
- Open: 24 hours
Ottawa International Airport
This airport is also known as Ottawa MacDonald-Cartier International Airport, named after two of Canada’s founding fathers. Once a military base, it’s now one of the busiest airports in Canada (ranked sixth for passenger traffic) and has won awards for excellence. Ottawa International Airport acts as the gateway to the Arctic, and services flights along the Ottawa, Toronto and Montreal corridor. Private passengers can enjoy two FBOs – Innotech Aviation Services and Skyservice. Both offer first-class amenities that include stylish airport lounges, executive parking and conference rooms.
- Year opened: 1927
- Distance from downtown Ottawa: 7 miles
- Commercial destinations: 47
- Number of FBOs: 2
- Open: 24 hours
Quebec City Jean Lesage International Airport
Quebec City Jean Lesage International Airport dates back to 1939, when it opened as an aviation training facility. The airport was renamed in 1993 after a former Quebec Prime Minister, and underwent major expansion and refurbishment between 2006 and 2008. Flights now run to worldwide destinations, serving over 1.7 million passengers per year, and a $277 million-project will double the terminal area in the near future. Private jet passengers can choose from three FBOs at Quebec City Jean Lesage International Airport – AvJet, Quebec City Executive Terminal 611, and TSAS by AvJet.
- Year opened: 1939
- Distance from downtown Quebec City: 9 miles
- Commercial destinations: 36
- Number of FBOs: 3
- Open: 24 hours
St John’s International Airport
St John’s International Airport in Newfoundland and Labrador serves over 1.5 million passengers a year with flights to and from Canada, the USA, Europe and the Caribbean. The country’s easternmost airport dates back to 1941 and was originally used by the Royal Air Force and Military. A relatively small airport, St John’s International lies just a few miles from downtown St John’s. It underwent extensive renovations in 2002, and has three FBOs – Irving Aviation Services, PAL Aviation Services, and Woodward Aviation Services – that cater to private jet passengers with amenities such as modern lounges, refreshments and VIP services.
- Year opened: 1941
- Distance from downtown St John’s: 5 miles
- Commercial destinations: 21
- Number of FBOs: 3
- Open: 24 hours
Winnipeg James Armstrong Richardson International Airport
Dating back to 1928, Winnipeg James Armstrong Richardson International Airport is Canada’s oldest international airport, named after one of the country’s aviation pioneers. It serves as a gateway to remote northern parts of the country, as well as destinations across North America, the Caribbean, UK and Iceland. Currently ranked as the seventh busiest airport in Canada, 4.5 million passengers pass through Winnipeg International Airport annually. There are three FBOs with chic lounges, conference spaces, VIP services and on-site customs: Avflight Winnipeg, Fast Air Jet Centre and Exchange Petroleum.
- Year opened: 1928
- Distance from downtown Winnipeg: 6 miles
- Commercial destinations: 42
- Number of FBOs: 3
- Open: 24 hours
Victoria International Airport
Over two million passengers per year pass through Victoria International Airport, which lies just two miles from downtown Sidney. Victoria International Airport opened in 1939 as a military training airfield and has a small terminal that has been substantially modernised in recent years. The airport runs over 100 flights each day to destinations across North America and has two FBOs for private jet services: Viking Air and Victoria YYJ FBO Services. Private jet passengers have access to comfy lounges with complimentary refreshments, car parking, Wi-Fi and a boardroom.
- Year opened: 1939
- Distance from downtown Sidney: 2 miles
- Commercial destinations: 10
- Number of FBOs: 2
- Open: 03:00 – 01:00
Halifax Stanfield International Airport
Opened in 1960 by the federal Department of Transport, Halifax Stanfield International Airport is the main airport in Nova Scotia and the eighth busiest in Canada. Built near Kelly Lake, it’s a hub for passengers heading to or from Canada’s remote Maritime provinces as well as destinations in North America, Europe and the Caribbean. The airport has won numerous industry awards over the years and in 2005 was renamed after the former prime minister of Nova Scotia, Robert Stanfield. There are three FBOs at Halifax Stanfield International Airport featuring private passenger lounges and flight planning services: Gateway FBO, Innotech Aviation Service and PAL Aviation Services.
- Year opened: 1960
- Distance from downtown Halifax: 20 miles
- Commercial destinations: 41
- Number of FBOs: 3
- Open: 24 hours
Edmonton International Airport
Edmonton International Airport started in 1927 as a small flying school. It later became a military airfield during WWII and quickly outgrew its location. In 1960, Edmonton International Airport moved to its current location on former farmland near Leduc and officially opened for passenger service. Today, flights from Edmonton International Airport go to 44 destinations across North America, Europe and the Caribbean. The mid-size airport has a range of shops, as well as a Skywall with 360-degree views of the iconic Alberta landscape. For private jet services, there are three FBOS: Executive Flight Centre, Shell Aerocentre and Signature Flight Support.
- Year opened: 1927
- Distance from downtown Edmonton: 18 miles
- Commercial destinations: 44
- Number of FBOs: 3
- Open: 24 hours
Kelowna International Airport
Now the tenth busiest airport by passenger traffic in Canada, Kelowna International Airport was founded in 1947 on a 320-acre plot called the Dickson Ranch. What began as a 3,000-foot-long grass airstrip has been developed over the decades to include modern terminal buildings and gravel airstrips. Over two million passengers a year now fly to 15 different destinations throughout the USA, Canada and Mexico from Kelowna International Airport. Kelowna International Airport is the gateway to the stunning Okanagan Valley and home to one FBO for private jet charters, the Kelowna Shell Aerocentre.
- Year opened: 1947
- Distance from downtown Kelowna: 9 miles
- Commercial destinations: 15
- Number of FBOs: 1
- Open: 24 hours
Saskatoon John G. Diefenbaker International Airport
Saskatoon John G. Diefenbaker International Airport, named after the country’s thirteenth prime minister, was founded in 1929. It began as a base for the Saskatoon Aero Club and was later used a training school and grounds for the Royal Canadian Air Force. In 1947, the airport was transferred for civilian use to the Canadian Department of Transport and has since been extensively refurbished. Flights go to 24 destinations in North America and there are two FBOs at the airport featuring customer lounges and business amenities: Kreos Aviation and Saskatoon Aerocentre.
- Year opened: 1929
- Distance from downtown Saskatoon: 4 miles
- Commercial destinations: 24
- Number of FBOs: 2
- Open: 24 hours
Regina International Airport
Regina International Airport, located in Regina, Saskatchewan, began its life as a horse track popular with early 20th-Century barnstormers. A primitive airfield was designated Canada’s ‘first air harbor’ in 1920, and was heavily involved in contract training for the Royal Canadian Airforce during World War II. The terminal building was erected in 1960 and underwent major renovations in the 1980s. Massive expansion in 2004-5 increased capacity to 1.2 million passengers per year, and a second phase is now underway. Private jet passengers enjoy the comforts of the first-class Regina Aerocentre, which acts as an extension of your office, offering complete executive services removed from the noise and inconvenience of the busy main terminals.
- Year opened: 1920
- Distance from downtown Regina: 2.3 miles
- Commercial destinations: 11 (more than doubles in season)
- Number of FBOs: 1
- Open: 24 hours
Abbotsford International Airport
Abbotsford International Airport, 2.5 miles southwest of Abbotsford and 40 miles from downtown Vancouver, is located on land purchased by the Royal Canadian Air Force in 1940. Three runways were completed in 1943, clearing the way for the Elementary Flying Training School to start operations under the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan. Abbotsford Airport became a jet passenger airport in 1997, after the City of Abbotsford bought it from the Department of Transport for a grand sum of just $10. The airport has hosted Canada’s national airshow since 1962 – the annual Abbotsford International Airshow is listed as one of the ten best air shows in the world. Private jet charter is serviced by the Abbotsford Shell Aerocentre, whose wide range of services include catering, car and hotel reservations, and a conference room.
- Year opened: 1943
- Distance from Abbotsford: 2.5 miles
- Commercial destinations: 10
- Number of FBOs: 1
- Open: 24 hours
Do you have a trip on the horizon? Contact us for our recommendations on the best airports for private jets on your next private jet charter, or check out our airport guide if there are other destinations you might want to travel to.