IndianAirports.com
YQT · medium airport

Thunder Bay International Airport

Thunder Bay, Canada

Clear sky
Airports
YQTmedium airport

Thunder Bay International Airport

Thunder Bay, Canada
Explore Thunder Bay city guide Navigate to this airport
13
Routes out
9
Destinations
CYQT
ICAO
653 ft
Elevation
TravelerPulse profile

Northwestern Ontario's gateway airport serving the Lakehead region.

Opened
1937
Location
Thunder Bay, Canada
Thunder Bay International Airport (IATA: YQT, ICAO: CYQT) is the primary commercial airport serving Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada's largest city on Lake Superior's north shore. It serves as the main air hub for Northwestern Ontario, connecting the region to major Canadian cities and beyond. The airport is owned and operated by the Thunder Bay Airport Authority and handles several hundred thousand passengers annually. It supports both scheduled passenger services and cargo operations, playing a critical economic role for the remote northwestern Ontario region. Located approximately 8 kilometres east of downtown Thunder Bay, the airport features a modernized terminal building and serves as an important refueling and technical stop for trans-Canada and international charter flights operating in northern Canada.
Terminals
The airport has a single passenger terminal building with multiple gates serving both domestic and limited international traffic.
Getting to & from
Ground transportation options include taxis, rental cars, and shuttle services connecting the airport to downtown Thunder Bay, approximately 8 kilometres away.
Airlines here
Major carriers serving YQT include Air Canada and WestJet, with regional operations provided by Jazz Aviation and other regional partners.
Notable facts
  • Serves as the largest airport in Northwestern Ontario by passenger volume.
  • Located approximately 8 km east of downtown Thunder Bay on Highway 11/17.
  • Handles cargo operations important to remote Northwestern Ontario communities.
  • The airport authority completed significant terminal renovations in the 2000s.
  • Elevation is approximately 653 feet (199 metres) above sea level.
This profile is provided for general information only. Details may be inaccurate or outdated — always verify with the airport's official website before acting on them.
Gateway to Northwestern Ontario's lakes, wilderness, and northern sky

Thunder Bay International Airport serves as the primary air hub for Northwestern Ontario, connecting this mid-sized city of roughly 110,000 to major Canadian centres. Originally developed in the mid-20th century, the airport plays a vital role in regional connectivity for resource industries, healthcare travel, and Indigenous community access. Its modern terminal was significantly renovated in the 2000s to better serve growing passenger and cargo demands.

Terminals
  • Main Terminal — A single integrated terminal handling all passenger departures, arrivals, and services including check-in, security, and baggage claim.
Ground Transport
  • Taxi services available curbside at the arrivals level
  • Ride-hailing apps such as Uber operate in Thunder Bay
  • Car rental desks on-site including Avis, Budget, and National
  • City of Thunder Bay Transit bus routes connect the airport area to downtown
  • Hotel shuttle services offered by select nearby properties
Nearby Hotels
  • Valhalla Inn Thunder Bay
  • Prince Arthur Waterfront Hotel & Suites
  • Marriott Thunder Bay
  • Travelodge by Wyndham Thunder Bay
  • Comfort Inn Thunder Bay
Dining

Inside the terminal, travellers will find a modest selection of cafés and quick-service eateries suitable for pre-flight meals and snacks. Options are limited past security, so arriving hungry before a long wait is best addressed before entering the secure zone. A broader range of restaurants and fast food chains is available within a short drive along the airport corridor and into the city.

Traveller Tips
  • Arrive at least 90 minutes before domestic departure as security lines can lengthen during morning peak hours.
  • Winter weather in Thunder Bay can be severe — check road conditions and flight status before heading to the airport between November and March.
  • Parking is available in short-term and long-term lots directly adjacent to the terminal; pre-payment options help save time.
  • Currency exchange options at the airport are limited, so carry Canadian dollars or use a bank card for ground transport.
Official website

AI-assisted overview, verified against public sources.

Route map (9 destinations)

Leaflet © OpenStreetMap © CARTO

Routes

YQT → YWGAC · CRJ
YQT → YYZAC · CRJ DH4
YQT → YAGJV · SWM
YQT → YAMJV · SWM
YQT → YTSJV · SWM
YQT → YWGJV · SWM
YQT → YXLJV · SWM
YQT → YTZPD · DH4
YQT → YWGWS · 73W 736
YQT → YYZWS · 73W 736
YQT → YFHWT · BEH PL2
YQT → YWPWT · BEH PL2
YQT → YXLWT · BEH
Hotels near YQT

Pick what matters for your layover or early flight, then compare on your favorite booking site.

Compare stays for your dates

IndianAirports may receive compensation when you book or purchase through some of the links on this page, at no additional cost to you. Prices and availability are set by the booking provider and may change. We never share your private trip details with partners — only the destination, dates and party size you searched.

City & Place Guide

No guide exists for this place yet — Click to generate a Traveler Pulse guide.

Passport, Visa & Immigration

Flying internationally via YQT? Check entry, transit and customs requirements for Canada from official government sources.

Thunder Bay Airport
Encyclopaedia

Thunder Bay Airport is in the city of Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada. With 108,130 aircraft movements in 2012, it was the fourth busiest airport in Ontario and the 16th busiest airport in Canada. During the same year, more than 761,000 passengers went through the airport.

Read full article on Wikipedia