On this page: YQR - It’s Your Airport History
YQR – It’s Your Airport
Regina International Airport (YQR) is the 15th busiest airport in Canada and connects the local community to many major Canadian markets. YQR is proud to offer seasonal service to both the U.S. and international sunspot destinations.
The Regina Airport Authority (RAA) is a not-for-profit organization that operates YQR under a long-term lease with the Federal Government. The RAA has a mandate to operate a safe and secure airport, while looking to grow for the greater benefit of the community.
You can learn more about the RAA’s direction through our Strategic Plan:
History
The history of flying in Regina began with the first airfield opening in the region in 1919. After the First World WSar, a second airfield opened in the city’s southern Lakeview district, which was designated as Canada’s first licensed air harbour. In 1927, the Regina Flying Club was formed and it purchased 160 acres of land for the development of Regina’s third airport site. In 1928, the city of Regina purchased this land from the flying club and started development of the present airport. Regina Municipal Airport officially opened on September 15, 1930. Upon opening a new runway in 1932, the Airport featured the first paved runway between Montreal and Vancouver. In the following years, the Airport acquired additional property, built a new hangar, and runway lighting was added. These improvements contributed to the start of scheduled airline services by Canadian Airways and Prairie Airways. The airfield was originally named Roland J. Groome Field after a commercially licensed pilot in Canada.
The Regina airport was taken over by Transport Canada with the outbreak of the Second World War. Ownership was handed back to the City of Regina in 1955 and Transport Canada bought back from the city in 1972. In 1995, the first US scheduled airline service began under the Canada-US Open Skies agreement. In 1998, the Regina Airport Authority (RAA) was formed and Transport Canada agreed to transfer the operations and management of the airport to RAA in May 1999. Since that time, RAA has been operating as an autonomous, not-for-profit organization that operates YQR under a long-term lease with the Federal Government. The RAA has a mandate to operate a safe and secure airport, while looking to grow for the greater benefit of the community.