Description
Saskatoon John G. Diefenbaker International Airport, is an international airport located in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada. The airport is served by passenger, courier and air freight operators. It is named for John Diefenbaker, the 13th Prime Minister of Canada.The airport has nine passenger bridges, three ground loading positions, 32 check-in points and a customs/immigration arrivals area.For international arrivals the airport is classified as an airport of entry by Nav Canada and is staffed by the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA). CBSA officers at this airport can handle aircraft with no more than 200 passengers. However, they can handle up to 300 if the aircraft is unloaded in stages.In 2001, traffic at YXE exceeded 800,000 passengers, making it the largest airport in the province. The airport has seen substantial growth in passenger traffic since, with a total of 1.45 million passengers passing through in 2016.HistoryOn June 1, 1929 the city of Saskatoon was given a "License For Air Harbour" and the airport was established. This provided a home for the Saskatoon Aero Club.In 1940 the city leased the airport to the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF). The airport became RCAF Station Saskatoon. During the war years this was part of the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan, with the Canadian Forces No. 4 Flight Training School established at the airport. To support these operations four large hangars were built as well as support buildings including a hospital and control tower.
