Winnipeg Airport Departures (YWG)

Winnipeg International is one of Canada’s most important facilities for air transportation. It receives approximately 3.39 million passengers per annum, of which a large percentage are international passengers. The airport, with the IATA code of YWG, is located nearby to the city centre of Winnipeg, in the province of Manitoba, and offers departures to a wide variety of destinations from a number of airline companies. It is also one of eight Canadian airports with US border preclearance facilities. The majority of Winnipeg International Airport departures are handled by the airline companies of Perimeter Airlines, WestJet and Calm Air.

The airport of YWG in Canada is a focus city for WestJet and for Air Canada Express, and a hub location of Kivallig Air, Perimeter Airlines and Calm Air. Passengers can fly to Arviat, Baker Lake, Churchill, Thompson and Whale Cove with Calm Air, to Calgary, Edmonton, Montreal and Ottawa with Air Canada Express, to Sanikiluag with Kivallig Air and to Brandon, Cross Lake, Garden Hill, Lynn Lake, Sandy Lake, York Landing, St. Theresa Point and Gods River with Perimeter Aviation. Many more destinations are available from these airline companies as well. Air Canada is another very important airline company present at the location, also offering departures to local destinations such as the Toronto Pearson International Airport and Vancouver International Airport, and Air Transat has a number of seasonal flights to Cancun and Puerto Vallarta in Mexico and to Orlando in the United States.

Some of the most popular airline companies available with flights to the United States include SkyWest Airlines, Compass Airlines and United Express, operated by Express Jet Airlines. WestJet also offers flights to the US. Destinations that can be reached in this country from Winnipeg include Orlando, Palm Springs, Phoenix, Las Vegas, Chicago, Denver and Minneapolis/St. Paul. Additional airline companies present at the airport include Bearskin Airlines, First Air and Sunwing Airlines. A number of charter airlines operate from the airport as well, such as CanJet, Flair Airlines and Keystone Air Service. Their destinations include Fort McMurray, Hamilton, Stephenville, St. John’s, Dauphin, Swan River, Manzanillo, Punta Cana and Santa Clara.

Getting to Winnipeg International is quite simple. A new access road was built in 2006, along with a new car park of four levels. The main road leading to the airport is Wellington Avenue, but many others run towards the airport from the north and the south. The airport is also just a few kilometres from downtown Winnipeg, and therefore a bus or taxi could be convenient as well. A taxi will cost between $15.00 and $18.00. The public buses available are routes 15 and 20, and they are operated by Winnipeg Transit. They have various points of collection in the city. Private shuttles are also available from Brandon, by the Brandon Airport Shuttle, and Greyhound along with other inter-city bus companies provide transport from further locations. Although buses and taxis are often used for airport transport, it is not possible to reach the airport by train.

Passengers who have decided to reach their departure flight in their own vehicles can choose either the Parkade or the Economy Lot. The Parkade is a little more expensive, but is more convenient as it is just opposite the main terminal building. Winnipeg Airport consists of one terminal for the majority of its passenger facilities, and is where the check-in counters for most of the flights will be found. However, the airport also has two smaller terminals for Kivallig Air and Perimeter Airlines, as most of their flights do not require facilities such as jet-bridges. The main terminal of the airport is new, as it began its construction in 2007 and was officially opened for operations at the end of October 2011. Other recent developments also include the Winnipeg Bus Terminal, a new Canada Post processing facility and a new luxury airport hotel just across from the terminal building.

The terminal of Winnipeg International Airport has many facilities for its departing passengers. Air Canada operates a Maple Leaf Lounge in the domestic departures area, and there are ATMs and foreign exchange currency booths found throughout the airport. Free Wi-Fi is available as well, along with a children’s play area and a chapel. The popular shops of the airport include Liquor Mart Express, Red River News, the PGA Tour Shop, the Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory and Toad Hall Toys, while the restaurants available are Red Wok, Salisbury House, Starbucks Coffee, Stella’s Café & Bakery, T.G.I Friday’s and Tim Hortons. There are also two duty-free stores on the secure side of the terminal building. Keep in mind that there is a $20.00 Airport Improvement Fee applicable when departing on any flight from Winnipeg. All major airports in Canada charge similar fees.

A few tips for departing passengers

Always arrive early at the airport, and check-in in good time for your flight.

Report any person of suspicious behaviour at the airport, and always stay with your baggage at all times. It is also advised to never carry an item of luggage or a package on board for a stranger. Baggage carts are free of charge at Winnipeg Airport, and can be obtained from various convenient locations. Ensure that your baggage is also clearly labelled with your name and address as well. In terms of hand luggage, ensure that the contents meet the requirements for air travel as well as the guidelines of your airline company. The new regulations surrounding the carrying of liquids in hand luggage are applicable. Passengers can save time by making use of online check-in options, or the self-service check-in kiosks in the terminal building.

Contact your airline company for further information regarding Winnipeg departures, or contact the airport at the following telephone number: (204) 987-9402.