December 2017 suggested that an airport in Pickering was not necessary at the moment and that Pearson can meet demand until 2037. Hamilton charges 30 to 50 per cent lower fees to airlines than Pearson and its compact size makes travel quicker for passengers and allows aircraft to spend less time on the ground. Airlines and destinations Passenger Cargo Statistics Passenger Hamilton has experienced significant volatility in its passenger traffic numbers. The airport met its peak at 1,041,204 passengers in 2003, when it was a hub for WestJet for a year before moving operations to Toronto-Pearson. Between 2016 and 2019, passenger numbers again increased close to a million passengers as more low-cost carriers began service at the airport. Passenger numbers sharply declined in 2020 after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Cargo With about 25% of the annual cargo tonnage of Canada's busiest cargo airport Toronto-Pearson, Hamilton is a major Canadian cargo airport. It has consistently ranked as the third or fourth busiest cargo airport in Canada over the last decade behind only Toronto-Pearson, Vancouver and, since 2017, Montréal–Trudeau. With around 70% of Hamilton's cargo tonnage being domestic cargo it has consistently ranked as the third busiest domestic cargo airport in Canada behind Vancouver and Toronto. Access The airport is located near Highway 6, which provides access to Hamilton International Airport via Highway 403. King Shuttle is a bus operator that provides scheduled service from the airport to Toronto Pearson International Airport and Toronto Union Station. The Hamilton Street Railway (HSR) operates bus route 20 A-Line Express, a limited-stop weekday service, from the airport to Hamilton GO Centre. Megabus formerly operated a daily scheduled coach bus service between the airport and the Toronto Coach Terminal between 2019 and 2020. Aviation institutions The aviation programs of Mohawk College have facilities at the airport. As of 2017, the learning facilities include an electricity lab, a hangar, airport apron and two classrooms. Near North Aviation (NNA) is a flight school based at Parry Sound Area Municipal Airport with a base at the Jetport facilities in Hamilton. See also List of airports in the Greater Toronto Area References External links Official website Canadian Owners & Pilots Association's Airport Directory Certified airports in Ontario Airports of the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan Transport in Hamilton, Ontario