Massive makeover at Hamilton International Airport: Will it attract more travelers ?

By Louie Rosella

Julie 27th, 2025

BURLINGTON, ON

Change has taken flight at John C. Munro Hamilton International Airport (YHM).

What was once seen as a little on the shabby side is now a much more modern airport.

When you walk inside the passenger terminal in Mount Hope, one immediately notices the dark walls have been replaced with white oak panelling, inspired by the trees found in the region.

The new, speckled white floors are reflective of the pebbly, off-white sand that lines multiple shorelines along the Golden Horseshoe, speaking to the area’s natural geography.

“There’s a sense of place with bringing in these local elements,” says Ed Ratuski, executive managing director of the airport, which recently celebrated a $15-million renovation project which saw significant enhancements to its passenger terminal building.

There’s also a spacious Departures Lounge that includes curved couches, a coffee and beverage bar, while outside, there’s a new and expanded entrance canopy that covers the entire curb to improve curbside flow in bad weather.

Upgrades to check-in, baggage claim, and the departure gate areas, along with new digital signage, create a more efficient and elevated passenger experience, Ratuski said.

“The most impressive thing is how we were able to amplify the benefits of flying through Hamilton,” Ratuski said.

Porter Airlines has hopped onboard, now offering daily, direct flights to Calgary, Edmonton, Halifax and Vancouver from the Hamilton Airport.

But, despite the impressive improvements and increased flying options, will the new-and-improved look, along with the addition of Porter, translate into more passengers at Hamilton Airport? Or, will potential customers simply choose Canada’s largest airport to the east?

“We have to work on getting the message out that there’s a more convenient way to travel,” Ratuski said, referring to social media and other marketing efforts.

“You can get the same service from Hamilton to those destinations (Calgary, Edmonton, Halifax and Vancouver) as you would with Toronto (Pearson), and with less hassle.”

Ron Foxcroft, chair of the airport, agrees there has long been a stigma attached to flying out of Hamilton, with potential passengers believing it’s a “small-time” airport, with airlines that are unreliable and don’t go to too many places.

That has all changed, he believes, particularly with the addition of Porter Airlines and their daily flights, coupled with the renewed, 49-year lease the City of Hamilton signed with TradePort, the Vantage company that operates John C. Munro Hamilton International Airport (YHM).

“We have never had the convenience of flights out of Hamilton that meet customer expectations, and we think we have that now,” he says. “Customers want to fly when their schedule tells them they want to fly,” he said.

The new lease and getting Porter onboard will be “transformational” in attracting new passengers, Foxcroft said. It’s a “customer-first approach,” he says.

Michael Deluce, CEO, Porter Airlines, said the changes at Hamilton Airport are all good news for passengers.

“The terminal enhancements coincide with the start of service to four Porter destinations, elevating the overall passenger journey and making the airport experience that much more efficient. This is a welcome transformation as a partner, and for travellers,” he said in a statement.

Last year, more than 300,000 passengers went through Hamilton airport.

Foxcroft wants to see that number increase 1 million in 2026 and 3 million in five years.

Peter Tong, CEO of TradePort, said the new lease agreement is crucial to the airport’s success and improving the passenger experience.

“This was essential,” Tong said, noting the new lease helped attract Porter Airlines to the table.

“You need to know you’re going to be here for a long time.”

While Tong agreed the new facade is “very modern-looking” and the upgrades create a “seamless and easy experience” through the terminal, he says he too, has heard the chatter of would-be travellers not considering Hamilton airport as a viable option.

“We have that conversation all the time,” Tong said. “When you’re competing against the largest airport in Canada, for passengers, it’s about choices,” Tong said.

Tong said the goal is to provide service where there are enough options, coupled with the element of convenience, that comes with flying out of Hamilton.

Cayla Awalt, assistant manager, marketing and communications at Hamilton International Airport, drove home the convenience factor for passengers trying to choose between Pearson and John C. Munro.

“At Hamilton International, it’s 200 steps from the curb to (your) gate,” she said.

The renos are not quite finished, Ratuski said. Later in the fall, Hamilton International will offer passenger jet bridges, which gets passengers from the terminal to the aircraft (and vice versa), through a direct, weather-protected, walkway.

Hamilton Mayor Andrea Horwath said the enhancements at Hamilton International Airport, transcend mere infrastructure upgrades.

“As we welcome new air service and improved passenger amenities, we’re also opening doors to greater economic opportunity, tourism, and connectivity for Hamiltonians,” she said in a statement.

Hamilton International offers year-round flights operated by Porter Airlines and WestJet, year-round luxury motorcoach connections with Air Canada Landline and seasonal air service with Sunwing.

However, expect announcements soon on Hamilton airport offering additional flights down south to the Caribbean, and also, flights going to the U.S.

Foxcroft said strategic planning never ends, and he hopes to add an airport hotel in the future, that will hopefully come with the widening of Highway 6.

“Those are on my wishlist,” he said.

Related news story:

Flew to Iceland and Paris out of Hamilton airport

 

Louie Rosella is a professor at Humber Polytechnic and a former journalist in the GTA.