Release date: 
Wednesday, March 12, 2008

March 12, 2008 (Ottawa) – The Ottawa International Airport Authority will open its new wing to the travelling public tomorrow, March 13.

Construction of the new $95 million expansion, which represents Phase II of the Airport Expansion Program, commenced in the spring of 2006. Exterior work, including demolition of the old terminal and final construction of the aprons and taxiways will wrap-up towards the end of 2008.

The new wing features 7,000 m2 of holdroom space, 12 new gates and seven new passenger bridges. Coincident with the opening, Air Canada will open its new Maple Leaf Lounge in a roof-top location that will offer a 180-degree view of the airfield. In the coming months, new restaurant and concession space will be filled, including a Darcy McGee’s restaurant which is scheduled to open in April.

The expansion, which is not government-funded, was necessitated by significant year-over year growth in passenger numbers since the new terminal opened in 2003. In 2007, a record-breaking 4 million plus passengers travelled through the airport.

Peter Vice, Chairman of the Airport Authority’s Board of Directors added “The need for this expansion reflects the healthy economy of the Ottawa region; travel volume to and from Ottawa increased to the point where we had to expand to accommodate people and aircraft. I’m pleased to say that we did so within our original budget, as was the case with Phase I.”

“We are very pleased to introduce our new wing to the travelling public”, said Paul Benoit, President and CEO of the Ottawa International Airport Authority. “Our clients will check-in as they have in the past, and will have access to the new space once they pass through the pre-board screening checkpoint”.


OMCIAA operates Ottawa International Airport without government subsidies under a 60-year lease transfer agreement with Transport Canada. The OMCIAA’s mandate is to manage, operate and develop airport facilities and lands in support of the economic growth of the National Capital Region.