ITMP 2030 Dashboard

Strengthening Global Connections: Halifax’s Air Access Investment Plan

Key Players

Lead Organization

Halifax International Airport Authority (HIAA)

Partners

Halifax Regional Municipality
Province of Nova Scotia (Economic Development; Communities, Culture, Tourism and Heritage; Public Works)
Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA)

Stage

Explore & Define
Planning
Delivery
Completion

● Planning

A full plan is created and mapped, including timelines, tasks, and responsibilities. A lead is identified, and the other people and resources are lined up. A project moves to the next stage when the plan is clear, realistic, and ready to guide the work.

Overview

Sustained investment in air access is essential to support Halifax’s growth and maintain long-term competitiveness in global markets. Halifax Stanfield is a critical driver of tourism and trade, with significant infrastructure upgrades now underway to meet future air travel demand. This progress is strengthened by the provincial Air Access Fund, which enables the Halifax International Airport Authority to share risk with airline partners when developing new routes and promoting them in key inbound markets. Together, these efforts ensure Halifax remains well-positioned as a gateway for both visitors and commerce.

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Project Updates

Airport infrastructure and passenger experience enhancements

January 2026

Two airport initiatives launched in January 2026 align with the ITMP 2030 objective to Make It Easy To Get Here and Visit:

International Connections Facility (ICF) completion and renovated International Arrivals opening
This milestone represents the final phase of the ICF project. Public communications frame the upgrades as a reimagined international arrivals experience, with a focus on improved passenger flow, Mi’kmaq art and culture, and outcomes shaped through community consultation. Funding partners are identified in the project announcements. To read more, click here.
Stanfield Wayfinders program launch
The updated volunteer host program modernizes passenger assistance at the airport, emphasizing inclusive service and a world-class traveller experience. The program includes new accessible uniforms incorporating English, French, and Mi’kmaq language elements. To read more, click here.

Air access and destination competitiveness

December 2025

The Halifax Regional Integrated Tourism Master Plan 2030 identifies ease of access as a foundational requirement for tourism growth, with air access highlighted as a critical lever. The ITMP 2030 initiative Strengthening Global Connections: Halifax’s Air Access Investment Plan positions sustained investment in air service development as essential to maintaining and improving Halifax’s competitiveness as a destination.

Recent announcements and launches of new, non-stop routes reflect continued growth in Halifax Stanfield International Airport’s direct connectivity, particularly in transatlantic and U.S. markets.

Carrier	Route	Frequency	Start date/timing	Notes
WestJet	Halifax–Lisbon	4x weekly	Starts May 1, 2026	Subject to government approval
WestJet	Halifax–Madrid	4x weekly	Starts May 15, 2026	New transatlantic service
WestJet	Halifax–Copenhagen	4x weekly	Starts May 28, 2026	New transatlantic service
WestJet	Halifax–Detroit	Daily	Starts May 18, 2026	Connects to a major U.S. hub
Air Canada	Halifax–Brussels	3x weekly	Starts June 18, 2026 (seasonal)	Air Canada’s second new international non-stop from YHZ
Air Canada	Halifax–Nassau	Weekly	Launched Dec 5, 2025 (winter seasonal)	New winter sun route

And while not new routes, WestJet also confirmed the return of its summer seasonal transatlantic services from Halifax to Barcelona, Amsterdam, Dublin, Edinburgh, London Gatwick, and Paris, operating alongside the newly announced routes.

Strategic Themes

Make It Easy To Get Here and Visit
Attract the Highest Yield and Growth Markets

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