(SAULT STE. MARIE, ONTARIO) Sault Ste. Marie Airport reported a small dip in passenger traffic in late summer, with September 2025 down 1.8% compared with September 2024 and August down 5.9% year-over-year. Airport data show 12,850 passengers in September and a year-to-date total of 115,126 travelers through the terminal as of September.
After steady gains earlier this year, including a 6.4% jump in July 2025 versus the prior July, the recent pullback points to tight airline capacity and softer business demand.
Local carriers continue to fly dependable schedules, but fewer seats than before the pandemic have curbed growth. Air Canada Express operates two flights daily, while Bearskin Airlines and Porter Airlines maintain regular service.
Airport leaders say they’re pushing for added frequencies, especially from Air Canada, but industry-wide aircraft and crew shortages limit how fast capacity can return. The loss of winter destination charters, such as Sunwing, also weighs on seasonal volumes.
Traffic trend and capacity constraints
The latest numbers keep Sault Ste. Marie Airport’s trend aligned with wider Canadian patterns. Major airlines nationally reported a similar 1.8% decline in May 2025 compared to May 2024, suggesting this is not just a local issue but part of a broader cooling after a strong rebound.
Business travel remains weaker than before COVID-19, as many firms cut trips due to virtual meetings and stricter budgets. That change shows up in airports like Sault Ste. Marie, where corporate flyers once helped fill midweek flights.
Key figures shared by the airport:
– September 2025: 12,850 passengers (down 1.8% vs. September 2024)
– August 2025: down 5.9% vs. August 2024
– July 2025: up 6.4% vs. July 2024
– Year-to-date (as of September 2025): 115,126 passengers
Seat supply remains the central challenge. Airlines across Canada have battled fleet delivery delays and training bottlenecks that slow the addition of pilots and flight crews. For smaller markets, that often means stable but limited schedules, even when demand exists.
According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, regional airports with fewer based aircraft and fewer route options tend to feel capacity constraints earlier and for longer than major hubs—especially when charter service does not return at the same pace.
Capacity constraints are industry-wide: fleet delivery delays, crew shortages, and the slow return of charters are keeping seat counts lower than pre-pandemic levels.
Implications for travelers, students, and newcomers
For travelers using Sault Ste. Marie Airport, the near-term outlook is steady but tight. Fares can rise when seats are limited, and last-minute bookings may be harder to secure.
Families planning winter trips should consider booking earlier than usual, given the absence of past charter options. If demand for holiday travel builds faster than capacity, flights can fill weeks ahead.
International students, cross-border workers, and newcomers who rely on regional air links should plan around these constraints. Fewer seats can mean fewer same-day connection choices to larger hubs, which matters when immigration or visa appointments are time-sensitive.
Students arriving for the winter term or spring intake should give themselves extra connection time in case of weather or crew-related delays.
Important immigration forms and official guidance:
– Visitor visa: form IMM 5257 — official page: Apply for a visitor visa (temporary resident visa)
– Study permit: form IMM 1294 — official page: Apply for a study permit
Having the right documents in hand before you fly helps avoid missed connections caused by extra screening or document checks.
Practical steps for travelers with tight schedules:
1. Book early to secure lower fares and better flight times.
2. Build longer layovers for connections through Toronto or other hubs.
3. Watch airline notifications closely; same-day crew changes can shift departure times.
4. Consider travel insurance that covers delays, especially during winter.
Regional and national context
The Sault Ste. Marie Airport story mirrors the wider Canadian aviation picture. While leisure travel recovered strongly in 2023 and early 2024, the pace slowed in 2025.
Industry analysts point to three main factors:
– Persistent crew shortages
– Aircraft delivery delays
– A structural drop in corporate trips
That combination leaves many regional airports with dependable, but thinner, schedules. The effect is strongest in shoulder seasons—late summer and fall—when leisure demand eases and business demand has not fully rebounded.
Transport Canada and Statistics Canada data show recovery has been uneven by region and carrier. Major hubs draw aircraft first when fleets are tight, while smaller cities often wait longer for extra frequencies.
For community airports, the loss of a charter partner can be especially tough; those flights once brought reliable outbound groups through the winter and supported airport services that depend on steady foot traffic.
Official government reference for air travel and traveler rights:
– Transport Canada – Air travel
Local impacts and outlook
The airport’s year-to-date total of 115,126 passengers through September gives a clear baseline for planning the final quarter. With charter seats still absent and business travel soft, the airport’s focus stays on restoring capacity.
Local leaders continue to press for more flights, but airlines must weigh crew availability, aircraft use, and reliability targets across their networks. That means any added capacity will likely arrive gradually, not in a single jump.
For newcomers settling in Sault Ste. Marie, fewer daily flights can affect:
– Family reunions and visit frequency
– How quickly students can return home between terms
– Small businesses’ ability to meet suppliers and clients promptly
– Attendance at immigration appointments that require in-person visits
Schools that recruit international students can support arrivals by advising them to book earlier and choose protected connections with extra time between flights.
Local businesses that rely on quick trips to Southern Ontario may continue to lean on video calls. But when in-person visits matter—signing contracts, inspecting equipment, or attending trade shows—planning further ahead becomes key.
Key takeaways
- The data show a modest pause, not a collapse: August and September 2025 traffic is slightly below last year, while the year-to-date total remains healthy at 115,126 passengers.
- The immediate constraint is seat supply driven by crew shortages, aircraft delays, and the loss of charters.
- Travelers, students, and newcomers should plan earlier, allow extra connection time, and keep documents ready.
- If airlines can add even a few weekly frequencies, the airport could recover more quickly—otherwise capacity gains are likely to be gradual.
With passenger traffic just below last year’s pace in August and September, the airport’s recovery remains in sight—slower than many hoped, but still progressing. The coming months will test whether capacity constraints ease and whether demand holds through the winter.
This Article in a Nutshell
Sault Ste. Marie Airport experienced a slight pullback in late-summer 2025 traffic: September recorded 12,850 passengers (down 1.8% year-over-year) and August fell 5.9% compared with 2024, though July had risen 6.4%. The year-to-date total through September is 115,126 passengers. Airlines serving the airport—Air Canada Express, Bearskin and Porter—provide regular schedules but overall seat supply remains below pre-pandemic levels due to aircraft delivery delays, crew shortages and the loss of seasonal charters. These capacity constraints limit how quickly frequencies can be restored. Travelers, international students and newcomers are advised to book early, allow longer connection times and ensure immigration documents (IMM 5257 and IMM 1294) are ready to avoid disruptions.
