Halifax Stanfield's record-breaking year makes airport Atlantic Canada's gateway to the world – PNI Atlantic News

Transatlantic travel is helping Halifax Stanfield International Airport reach historic heights in passenger traffic.
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Mikela Sani Routledge, communications and marketing adviser for the Halifax International Airport Authority, said they are projecting 4.4 million passengers will travel through the airport in 2026. That’s up 300,000 from 2025.
Cirium, an aviation analytics company, stated that European departures from Halifax increased by 40 per cent in the third quarter of 2025, compared to the same period in 2024.
“We are projecting a very strong, record-breaking peak season this summer with 4.4 million passengers,” said Sani Routledge.
“That puts us in a stronger position for being Atlantic Canada’s gateway to the world. We’re actually now the most internationally connected airport of our size in North America.
“Our air service team works very closely with airline partners to work on growing the importance of Nova Scotia as a destination for tourism, business and investment, and these routes that you’re seeing now reflect the strong demand for travel and the confidence that the airlines have in Atlantic Canada, and specifically Halifax Stanfield.”
The addition of several European connections has played a key role in the growth, said Sani Routledge.
Halifax Stanfield is serving a record 55 non-stop destinations, including 36 international airports across Europe, the United States and the Caribbean Basin. On June 18, Halifax Stanfield will welcome the inaugural Air Canada flight to Brussels.
“The addition of Brussels really strengthens our position as a gateway for travellers to connect to Europe, and then even more access onward from there through Air Canada’s global network,” Sani Routledge said.
“We also welcomed this year service to Lisbon and Madrid and Copenhagen with WestJet, as well as expanded Zurich service with Edelweiss Air and Frankfurt service with Discover Airlines. So what we’re seeing here is airlines are really investing in Halifax because they recognize the strength of this market and the growing demand for travel to and from Atlantic Canada.”
The completion of an international connections facility in 2025 offered improved passenger flow, increased capacity and allowed international travellers to connect seamlessly to domestic flights without exiting the secure area.
Improvements were also made to the terminal and other infrastructure, including airfield restoration and the Park ’N Fly lot.
There were also several technological advancements, including digital information kiosks, self-serve bag drop upgrades and the introduction of the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority’s new CT screening technology.
“Our infrastructure enhancements have only improved the passenger experience,” said Sani Routledge.
“We do offer peak travel season tips for travellers to make sure that they arrive plenty of time before their flight is set to depart, and we have lots of services to make it more convenient than ever to travel.”
Halifax Stanfield is a major economic driver in Nova Scotia’s economy. In 2025, airport-related activity generated over $4 billion in economic contribution, including $1.4 billion by tourists who visited by air, according to a report by Canmac Economics Ltd.
Sani Routledge expects the numbers to grow as the Halifax airport strengthens its connectivity with the world.
“As the routes develop, so will new services that we’re available to offer here at the airport,” she said.
“We’re very excited that it’s a record-breaking year for us, and it’s great news for travellers and for the Nova Scotian economy.”
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