Airport Master Plan FAQ

Niagara District Airport Master Plan – Public FAQ;

What is the Niagara District Airport Master Plan?

The 2025–2045 Master Plan is a long-term planning document that outlines how the Niagara District Airport could evolve over the next 20 years, including infrastructure needs, land use concepts, and phased growth options. It is not an approval of flights, airlines, or expansion projects.

Does the Master Plan approve or guarantee commercial flights?

No.

The Master Plan provides a vision and framework — it does not guarantee that commercial service will happen. Any future flights will require separate funding decisions, airline contracts, regulatory approvals, and additional studies.

How many flights per day are expected in the future?

The Executive Summary does not specify daily flights.

It provides annual projections:

• Over 51,000 flights per year by 2045 across all aircraft types (commercial, charter, training, general aviation).

That is about ~140 flights per day on average when spread across the whole year.

How many flights does the airport have now (2025)?

Today the Niagara District Airport primarily serves general aviation and training operations, with annual aircraft movements (takeoffs and landings) in the tens of thousands rather than daily scheduled airline flights.

According to the Master Plan’s existing activity baseline, current activity has recently recovered to about 40,000 aircraft movements annually, equivalent to roughly 110 movements per day on average (all types of flights combined). This reflects existing general aviation, charter, training, and other uses, not scheduled commercial service.

Daily figures are averages based on annual totals and include smaller aircraft and non-commercial operations.

How many passengers are projected?

• Up to 574,000 passengers annually by 2045

• Longer-term projections extend to 611,000 passengers by 2048, if demand, funding, and airline participation align with the plan’s assumptions.

Has a feasibility study been completed?

Yes — at a strategic level.

The Master Plan includes:

• Aviation demand modelling

• Economic and tourism analysis

• Technical and market assessments

But full operational feasibility (e.g., airline service agreements, funding commitments) is not yet established and is planned to be tested in early phases.

What is the Enabling Program Stage (EPS)?

The Enabling Program Stage (2026–2028) is a testing phase, not full commercial service.

It would:

• Allow limited charter and ad-hoc turboprop flights

• Serve an estimated 10,000–20,000 passengers annually

• Help test demand, airline interest, and readiness before larger investments are made

When could commercial service begin, if pursued?

The plan anticipates potential commercial service around 2029, only if funding is secured, airline partners agree, and required infrastructure is completed.

Does the Master Plan reference casinos?

No.

The Executive Summary does not reference casinos or gaming-related travel demand. Tourism references are broad (e.g., wineries, historic sites, regional attractions).

What is the estimated cost of the full build-out?

The long-term vision represents approximately $195 million in capital investment, phased over years and dependent on funding availability.

Who owns and governs the Airport?

The Airport is owned by the:

• Town of Niagara-on-the-Lake

• City of Niagara Falls

• City of St. Catharines

  
  

  and governed by the Niagara District Airport Commission with representation from each municipality.

  
  

Why was this Master Plan created?

The Airport had not undergone a comprehensive master planning process in over 30 years. This plan provides transparency, a long-term vision, and a structured, phased approach so future decisions can be made with evidence and community input.