Holiday travellers prepare for busiest days of the year at the Ottawa International Airport

It’s the busiest time of the year for flying and the Ottawa International Airport says passengers should come prepared. CTV’s Kimberley Johnson reports.

It’s the most wonderful time of the year but at the Ottawa International Airport it’s also the busiest, and officials are encouraging passengers to come prepared.

The Ottawa International Airport Authority says that Dec. 21 to Dec. 23 are the busiest travel days of 2025, with most flights at or near capacity. Officials say around 9,000 people will depart each day, and as many are expected to arrive in the lead up to Christmas.

At the airport, passengers are braving the crowds and heading out to all sorts of destinations.

“We’re going to Halifax,” says Victoria Lamothe “Where my parents live, where I’m from, and yeah we’re very excited to get back.”

Lamothe says she is travelling with her two young kids for this flight, but her husband will be travelling by car.

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“We’ve been packing for a while. He’s actually driving tomorrow with our dog, so left a lot of stuff behind for him to bring a lot of the gifts, and hoping Santa will arrive with a lot more gifts.”

For those like Olivia Richmond, her trip comes as an early Christmas gift.

“Going home to Toronto,” she tells CTV News. “It’s exciting because I work for an airline. So I get to be home for Christmas, which is really nice to spend it with my family, which doesn’t happen too much.”

The Ottawa Airport Authority has decked the halls for passengers, hoping to help them have a smooth trip and there will be live with carolers and performances throughout the next few days inside the airport.

Performers include Dickens Carolers, Sing House Studios, Maple Leaf Horn Quartet, the Celebration Brass Quintet, the Elevated Violinist and Jana Salameh.

Santa will also visit the terminal on Dec. 22, Dec. 23 and 24.

With thousands moving through the airport in the next few days, airport officials are advising passengers to come prepared. That includes having your travel documents handy, including your passport if flying internationally.

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Passengers can check in for their flight online from home, and in the case of inclement weather or delays, officials say travellers should check their flight status before leaving the house.

For those travelling with gifts in their carry-on luggage, authorities say to leave them unwrapped.

The Ottawa International Airport offers the following tips for travellers:

Before your trip

• Check in for flights online from home.
• Ensure all travellers have proper identification.
• If there is inclement weather, check the flight’s status with the airline before heading to the airport.
• Reserve parking online to guarantee a spot.
• Download the airline’s app for information.
• Find out if you’re a ‘Verified Traveller’ or consider joining the NEXUS or Global Entry program.

At the airport

• For those travelling to a sunshine destination, winter gear can be stored at the airport for a small fee. PARS 2000, located in the Arrivals area on Level 1, is open 24/7.
• Picking up a passenger? Wait for them at the airport’s Cell Phone Lot, located at the north-west corner of Airport Parkway Private and Air Cargo Private.

Packing for your trip

• Travellers are reminded to ‘pack smart’ for their flight.
• Don’t wrap Christmas gifts when travelling with them in your carry-on luggage.
• The Canadian Air Transport Security Authority says avoid packing gifts or souvenirs containing liquids, aerosols and gels in carry-on bags.
• Pack medications and valuables in carry-on bags.

Carry-on luggage rules

• Containers of liquids, non-solid food and personal items in carry-ons must be 100 ml/100 g or less. All containers must fit in one clear, resealable plastic bag no more than 1L in capacity.
• Each passenger is allowed a single 1 L bag containing liquids, food and personal items.
• Take plastic bags out of carry-on luggage at airport screening.
• Any containers over 100 ml/100 g can be placed in checked baggage as long as they are not prohibited items.
• Weighted stuffed animals are not allowed to go through airport screening and need to be placed in checked luggage.
• Non-solid food in carry-ons must be in containers of 100 ml or less.