Be prepared for one of the busiest days at the Edmonton International Airport
Passengers at security at Edmonton International Airport. (Evan Klippenstein/CTV News Edmonton)
The airport can be a busy place any day of the week, but Dec. 20 is expected to be one of the busiest days of the year at Edmonton International Airport (YEG).
On Friday the airport will be "experiencing pretty big volumes" of passengers, according to Erin Isfeld, manager of corporate communications at YEG.
Preparation is the best tool at your disposal to ensure the journey is a smooth one, she said.
"Ensure that before you get to the airport, you're checking that flight status," Isfeld said.
"Obviously, we've got winter weather across the country that we really have to take account for, and so ensure that that flight is going off on time."
Passengers can also check into their flight, book a spot in the security line and book parking ahead of time.
"What it comes down to is packing that patience, ensuring that what's going through security can go through security to make that trip a little bit smoother too," Isfeld added.
Road conditions are another factor to consider after the Edmonton area had a large snowfall Wednesday and freezing rain Friday morning. More freezing rain is expected over the weekend.
- Josh Classen's forecast: Freezing rain risks as the cold spell ends
- Snow covers Edmonton, Phase 1 parking ban taking effect Thursday
The airport normally advises passengers to arrive two hours early for domestic flights and three hours early for international flights. Isfeld suggests tacking on an extra 30 minutes to those times due to the road conditions and the volume of people travelling.
Once you are at the airport, there are carollers, caricaturists and crafts for people to enjoy before boarding their flight.
Several passengers told CTV News Edmonton this morning that the airport didn't feel too busy yet, but they made sure to arrive early.
"We were well prepared coming in, knowing that it was going to be busy, but actually, it's not that bad," said Tony. "I don't know what's going to be like at four o'clock this afternoon (though)."
YEG anticipates seeing 7.8 million passengers in 2024, a 4.3-per-cent increase from 2023.
The airport expects to see more growth in 2025, thanks in part to new routes to Houston, Chicago and Salt Lake City, as well as increased domestic capacity from WestJet.
Dec. 23 and 27 are expected to be the other busiest travel days of the year.
With files from CTV News Edmonton's Chelan Skulski
Shopping Trends
The Shopping Trends team is independent of the journalists at CTV News. We may earn a commission when you use our links to shop. Read about us.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Poilievre writes to GG calling for House recall, confidence vote after Singh declares he's ready to bring Liberals down
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre has written to Gov. Gen. Mary Simon, imploring her to 'use your authority to inform the prime minister that he must' recall the House of Commons so a non-confidence vote can be held. This move comes in light of NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh publishing a letter stating his caucus 'will vote to bring this government down' sometime in 2025.
BREAKING
BREAKING At least 2 dead and 60 hurt after a car drives into a German Christmas market in a suspected attack
A car plowed into a busy outdoor Christmas market in the eastern German city of Magdeburg on Friday, killing at least two people and injuring at least 60 others in what authorities suspect was an attack.
Judge sentences Quebecer convicted of triple murder who shows 'no remorse'
A Quebecer convicted in a triple murder on Montreal's South Shore has been sentenced to life in prison without chance of parole for 20 years in the second-degree death of Synthia Bussieres.
'I understand there's going to be a short runway,' new minister says after Trudeau shuffles cabinet
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau added eight Liberal MPs to his front bench and reassigned four ministers in a cabinet shuffle in Ottawa on Friday, but as soon as they were sworn-in, they faced questions about the political future of their government, and their leader.
BREAKING
BREAKING Fake nurse Brigitte Cleroux sentenced to 7 years in prison
A woman who illegally treated nearly 1,000 patients in British Columbia while impersonating a nurse has been sentenced to seven years in prison.
Poilievre to Trump: 'Canada will never be the 51st state'
Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre is responding to U.S. president-elect Donald Trump’s ongoing suggestions that Canada become the 51st state, saying it will 'never happen.'
Toronto officials warn of possible measles exposure at Pearson airport
Toronto Public Health (TPH) is advising of another possible measles exposure at Canada’s largest airport.
Bail denied for Winnipeg woman accused of killing animals in online videos
Warning: This story contains disturbing details. Discretion is advised. A Winnipeg woman accused of making videos of animals being tortured and killed that were sold on the dark web was denied bail.
Party City closing in U.S., Canadian stores remain 'open for business'
The impending closure of all Party City locations in the United States will not extend into Canada.
Calgary
-
Calgary man arrested in connection with more than a dozen robberies
Police say charges have been laid against a 19-year-old man in connection with a series of robberies that targeted cannabis and convenience stores in Calgary and Edmonton.
-
Alberta announces plan to develop 'modernized' coal policy
The future of coal mining in Alberta will be governed by a new, modern approach, the province announced on Friday.
-
Promise of high-level hockey comes at a cost for prep school players at Circle K Classic
Calgary is set to host the Circle K Classic, welcoming some high-end talent and pricy prep schools for the annual U18 AAA hockey tournament.
Lethbridge
-
'Fairly close' and ending 'as anticipated': Lethbridge-West stays with the Alberta NDP in byelection
What was expected to be a tight byelection took nearly three hours to call. Rob Miyashiro won to keep Lethbridge-West for the Alberta NDP.
-
'No one will go without': Lethbridge's Christmas Hope campaign enters final days
A trailer load of donated toys is helping the Angel Tree campaign cross the finish line with less than a week to go until Christmas.
-
Lethbridge County launches bi-weekly newsletter The County Insider
Lethbridge County has launched a new bi-weekly newsletter to help keep residents informed.
Saskatoon
-
Saskatoon police release details about latest homicide
Saskatoon police are releasing new details about the city’s latest homicide, although no charges have yet been laid.
-
Search continues for man wanted in connection with all-day manhunt in northern Sask.
The Saskatchewan RCMP are still searching for 28-year-old Dallas Fulton, wanted in connection with a dangerous person alert sent out across the province in October.
-
Saskatchewan highway closed due to serious collision
The Saskatoon RCMP are currently responding to a serious collision on Highway 5, west of Meacham.
Regina
-
Highway closures in place as winter driving conditions return
After receiving another big dump of snow over the past couple of days, Saskatchewan drivers have had to contend with some treacherous driving conditions.
-
Local groups work to give people extra support this holiday season
As the holidays approach, outreach groups are working to give people in the community a bit of extra support.
-
Appeal dismissed in Sask. 'thumbs up' emoji case
An appeal to a legal case that made international headlines has been dismissed by Saskatchewan's highest court.
Vancouver
-
BCLC warns parents against the dangers of child gambling at Christmas
Scratch cards in stockings might seem like an exciting Christmas idea, but for those who are under the legal age limit, being lured into gambling too early could cause more mess than merriment further down the line, says the British Columbia Lottery Corporation.
-
City confirms Stanley Park Train cancelled for the holiday season
Rides on Stanley Park’s iconic Christmas train will be shelved for another year for thousands of ticket holders, as officials confirm the train’s closure will continue for the remainder of the holiday season.
-
YVR gears up for the busiest travel day of the holiday season
The holiday travel season is ramping up this weekend as many people head out of town to see friends and family.
Vancouver Island
-
Victoria police make 42 arrests in retail theft crackdown
Police in Victoria say officers have made 42 arrests and recovered approximately $10,000 in stolen merchandise during a four-day retail theft operation targeting repeat offenders.
-
Loans, delays, legal action: B.C. renovator blames illness for project stalls, denies faking cancer
Two Metro Vancouver homeowners have come forward with new allegations against a local renovator accused of faking cancer to avoid repaying a debt, saying they are also owed money after handing over hefty sums for projects that have not been completed.
-
BC Civil Liberties Association calls for review of MAID legislation
The British Columbia Civil Liberties Association is calling on the provincial and federal governments to review medically-assisted dying legislation to ensure proper safeguards are in place.
Toronto
-
'Enough is enough': Toronto Jewish school struck by gunfire for third time since May
A Jewish elementary school in Toronto has been struck by gunfire for the third time in the last seven months.
-
6 arrested, 5 remain at large in auto theft ring that operated around Toronto Pearson Airport: police
Peel police have arrested seven people and issued arrest warrants for five more suspects who are allegedly part of a Quebec theft ring responsible for stealing more than 100 vehicles in and around Toronto Pearson International Airport.
-
Police say break-and-enter suspects were in Canada for 'purpose of committing criminal offences'
Five Chilean nationals who police believe were in Canada for 'the purpose of committing criminal offences' have been charged in connection with half a dozen break-and-enters across the Greater Toronto Area (GTA).
Montreal
-
Judge sentences Quebecer convicted of triple murder who shows 'no remorse'
A Quebecer convicted in a triple murder on Montreal's South Shore has been sentenced to life in prison without chance of parole for 20 years in the second-degree death of Synthia Bussieres.
-
Police search for suspect in connection with woman's abduction, attempted homicide
A woman in her 20s who was possibly abducted by her ex is in hospital after the car she was in plunged into the Richelieu River.
-
Quebec premier and Mohawk grand chief sign declaration of mutual respect
Quebec and the Mohawk Council of Kahnawake signed what is being described as a "joint declaration of understanding and mutual respect" on Friday.
Atlantic
-
Maritime weather: Warnings expanded as nor'easter approaches
Snowfall warnings are now in effect for mainland Nova Scotia and southeastern New Brunswick.
-
New highway between Lower Sackville, Dartmouth to open Friday
A new highway that runs between Lower Sackville, N.S., and Dartmouth, N.S., is scheduled to open on Friday.
-
Cancellations and closures in anticipation of Maritime storm
There are a number of closures in the Maritimes Friday in advance of heavy snowfall that’s anticipated through parts of the region.
Winnipeg
-
Bail denied for Winnipeg woman accused of killing animals in online videos
Warning: This story contains disturbing details. Discretion is advised. A Winnipeg woman accused of making videos of animals being tortured and killed that were sold on the dark web was denied bail.
-
Avian influenza found at Manitoba farm
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has found a strain of avian flu at a Manitoba poultry farm.
-
Ontario town seeks judicial review after being fined $15K for refusing to observe Pride Month
An Ontario community fined $15,000 for not celebrating Pride Month is asking a judge to review the decision.
Ottawa
-
Restaurants still waiting to see if GST/HST holiday impacts business
Reviews are beginning to come in from customers and restaurants a few days into the federal government's GST/HST holiday.
-
Man allegedly filming females in public washroom in business on Elgin Street, police looking for more victims
The Ottawa Police Service says a man has been arrested following a report alleging he was filming women inside a public washroom in a business on Elgin Street last weekend.
-
‘Hot and frosty’: Film industry booming in Ottawa
Ottawa is not only a hot spot for tourism, but also a landmark when it comes to the film industry and holiday movies, says the City of Ottawa.
Northern Ontario
-
Poilievre writes to GG calling for House recall, confidence vote after Singh declares he's ready to bring Liberals down
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre has written to Gov. Gen. Mary Simon, imploring her to 'use your authority to inform the prime minister that he must' recall the House of Commons so a non-confidence vote can be held. This move comes in light of NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh publishing a letter stating his caucus 'will vote to bring this government down' sometime in 2025.
-
Northern Ont. man illegally killed three moose, one deer
A man from the northwestern Ontario community of Dinorwic has been found guilty of multiple hunting offences and fined $6,500, banned from hunting for five years and placed on probation for 18 months.
-
North Bay-area man wanted on 19 charges, including spousal assault, drug trafficking
Police are asking for the public's help in finding a suspect wanted for a host of offences, ranging from assault to uttering death threats.
Barrie
-
Multi-vehicle collision on Highway 11 in Oro-Medonte
Southbound traffic along Highway 11 through Oro-Medonte was brought to a crawl Friday after a multi-vehicle collision.
-
High school teacher charged with sexual assault amid allegations involving a student
A 51-year-old teacher from Georgina has been charged with sexual assault following allegations involving a student.
-
Driver charged after vehicle crashes into Barrie home
A driver was arrested Thursday night after a vehicle crashed into a home in Barrie.
Kitchener
-
Guelph man pleads guilty to fleeing fatal crash involving cyclist
A Guelph driver, who previously admitted to failing to stop after a fatal crash, instead plead guilty to a different charge on Friday.
-
Police believe shots fired into Cambridge home was a targeted incident
Waterloo Regional Police Service now believes shot fired into a Cambridge home was a targeted incident.
-
Homeowners in Waterloo Region to pay 9.48 per cent more on region's 2025 property tax bill
After councillors failed to set Waterloo Region’s 2025 budget in a marathon meeting earlier this month, councillors gathered again on Thursday to try to hammer down what was once a 10.45 per cent property tax hike.
London
-
Man dies after falling from building: LPS
London police say a man has died after falling from a building.
-
Fire destroys London Cricket Club memorabilia, equipment
A fire destroyed thousands of dollars worth of property and memorabilia at the London Cricket Club.
-
Manslaughter charge laid against London man after August drug bust
A London man has been charged with manslaughter after an OPP drug raid this summer. Police have released few details but say they used a search warrant at a West Elgin home Aug. 23.
Windsor
-
Clear Medical Imaging strike ends with arbitration agreement
The eight-week long strike action at Clear Medical Imaging has ended. According to officials, Unifor and the employer have agreed to binding arbitration.
-
Over $45,000 in cash and drugs seized: WPS
Two suspects have been arrested and over $45,000 in cash and drugs seized following an investigation by the Windsor Police Service (WPS).
-
Toll increase coming to the Windsor-Detroit Tunnel in 2025
Drivers heading through the Windsor-Detroit Tunnel in the new year will have to take some extra cash. A toll increase for those heading from Canada to the U.S. is scheduled for Jan. 1, 2025 .
