The Airport Subcommittee received an update on a major terminal renovation at John C. Munro Hamilton International Airport and on Porter Airlines’ expanding service. Tradeport International Corporation CEO Peter Tong said the terminal work was completed in 100 days and included the airport’s first passenger boarding bridges and a new international arrivals facility. Officials also outlined passenger-volume projections that would see traffic roughly double by 2026, while subcommittee members raised concerns about electrical grid capacity as the airport and tenants electrify vehicles and equipment.

Topics Discussed

Terminal Renovation and Facility Upgrades

Tong told the subcommittee the airport completed its terminal transformation in a compressed timeline: “It’s hard to believe that in a 100 short days that we were able to transform the whole airport.” The renovation included updated passenger areas and the introduction of two passenger boarding bridges—described as a first for the airport.

One speaker highlighted the practical impact of the bridges for passengers: “The biggest highlight for 2025 was really the introduction as well of passenger boarding bridges… And I think for those of you that have traveled, it makes such a big difference in those winter months or even in the spring when it’s raining that you don’t have to go outside.”

Officials also reported an international arrivals facility opened in December, including new primary inspection kiosks and Nexus kiosks.

Porter Airlines Service Expansion

The subcommittee heard updates on Porter’s route additions and what officials described as a new connectivity milestone for the airport. One speaker said the St. John’s announcement means “somebody can fly literally coast to coast across Canada from St. John’s all the way to Vancouver, which is the first for the airport.”

Tong said the airport is looking ahead to continued growth tied to Porter’s plans: “We’re very excited about 2025 as a transformational year, but looking forward to 2026. The announcements that Porter has announced help significantly from a passenger perspective.”

Passenger Volume Projections and Historical Trends

Officials reviewed recent swings in passenger volumes and presented forward-looking projections. One speaker said, “We have a forecast that sees us get back, you know, roughly doubling where we were this past year in 2026 and if that trajectory continues to grow within the next three to five years we’d be back at the levels and maybe exceed anything that the airport has ever seen.”

Tong also addressed the challenge of sustaining airline service over time, noting that carriers have previously left the airport and that passenger uptake matters to route viability.

Infrastructure Development and Environmental Initiatives

The update included ongoing capital work and environmental initiatives. Officials said the airport converted eligible fleet vehicles to electric, with one speaker stating: “We upgraded our fleet last year to electric vehicles… we have seven EVs, seven trucks that are being utilized today at the airport.”

The subcommittee also heard about upcoming projects and longer-term land development timelines, including expectations around when certain lands may become available. One speaker said they had been told a tower relocation could take “a 7-year time frame,” adding that “towards the end of this decade is when… that land would become accessible.”

Electrical Grid Capacity Concerns

Councillor Tatterson raised concerns about hydro capacity in the Mount Hope area and suggested the airport could play a stronger advocacy role with the province. Tatterson said: “I just think that anything that you know that you could do on our behalf to advocate for that would be um might resonate with the ministers involved in that a little bit more than just us, you know, crying wolf all the time.”

Motions

• Item 11.2 (confidential materials) — Vote carried 7–0

Attendees

The transcript did not provide a complete list of members present. Councillor Tatterson was identified as participating in the discussion.