Calgary International Airport gears up for busy travel season

YYC looks to improve experience amid busy stretch It's the busiest time of year at Calgary International Airport, and there are some changes meant to improve the experience.

Calgary International Airport has some new ways to improve passengers' travel experience, ready just in time for YYC's busiest time of the year.

An X-ray machine at U.S. concourse E means passengers flying out won't need to remove their bags of liquids or large electronics from their carry-on luggage.

YYC is one of the first in the country to get the equipment meant to speed up the process.

"You don't need to take your laptop out; you don't need to take your (liquids) bags. So, think, if that's one or two minutes, that's going to accelerate the process," said Dominique Huras with the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority (CATSA).

The new X-ray began scanning bags in Calgary this week.

Vancouver, Montreal and Ottawa recently got the technology as well and CATSA intends to add it to all airports.

Other changes aim to make travel smoother during the snow and cold.

"Winter planning starts in August and relies heavily on investment in fleets and training personnel," said Chris Miles, chief operating officer for the Calgary Airport Authority.

He said more workers are trained to help outside and inside.

Airlines, including WestJet, have increased indoor storage for aircraft and added heating equipment.

WestJet says it has also made changes to improve flexibility if there are cancellations or delays.

"(We've) created an overall resiliency into our actual fleet schedule," said Colleen Tynan with WestJet.

"So that should help some of the impact we've seen over the past few years."

This year, Calgary International Airport expects a record number of passengers to pass through.

"Just shy of 19 million," Miles said.

"The destinations we're offering into Asia and Europe, as well as the U.S., reinforced that Calgary is becoming a hub to be reckoned with."

Also new at the airport this year are reading nooks, where passengers can cozy up and read, or leave or take a book.

Along with the new, the airport reminds passengers not to forget the old.

Tips include checking in early online, arriving two hours before domestic flights and three hours before international ones, and finding out what can't be packed in carry-on or is not allowed on a plane at all.

Added touches just for the season include musicians and carollers, the Festival of Trees and wrapping stations past security.

For more travel tips and details, head to https://www.yyc.com/.

The August hailstorm is not expected to impact holiday travels, but WestJet still has two planes out of operation and concourse B in the domestic terminal is expected to remain closed until July 2026.