Oshawa Executive Airport

About Us

The Oshawa Executive Airport is an aviation gateway to the City of Oshawa and the Greater Toronto Area. Situated on 484 acres of land, this executive level regional airport features:

a modern terminal building capable of facilitating corporate business travel and general aviation
dual runways able to service a broad range of aircraft
modern navigational aids include:
- Area navigation (R.N.A.V.)
- Global Navigation Satellite System (G.N.S.S.)
- Lateral navigation (L.N.A.V.)
- Localizer performance with vertical guidance (L.P.V.) approaches 250 ft above sea level (A.S.L.)
on site Canada Border Service Agency (C.B.S.A.) - Canada Customs: available seven days a week, 8:30 a.m. to midnight by appointment
Navigation Canada control tower
Full Service Fixed Based Operator (F.B.O.) open 24 hours, 365 days a year
a variety of aviation services such as fuel, maintenance and logistical support
over 350,000 square feet of hangar space, including privately owned hangarminiums

The Oshawa Executive Airport is open seven days a week, 365 days of the year. However, flight restrictions are in place from 10:30 p.m. to 6:30 a.m. limiting flights to police, medical and industrial flights and Oshawa-based aircraft returning to the airport.

Whether flying to Oshawa as a destination, making a, or doing business here, our friendly and knowledgeable staff and service providers at the airport are on hand to assist you.

Interesting facts about the operation of the Oshawa Executive Airport:

The role of the airport is serve the City of Oshawa and the Region of Durham as a vital component of the transportation infrastructure supporting business and building community.
The Oshawa Executive Airport is committed to operating the airport within the context of being a good community neighbour.
The airport is operated and managed by Total Aviation & Airport Solutions on behalf of the City of Oshawa.
The City has an operating and options agreement in place with the Federal Government, which requires that the City operate the airport until 2047.
The City may close the airport prior to 2047 if the Pickering Airport is opened however, the airport may not close prior to 2033.
The airport and former airport lands generates in access of $1.5 in property taxes annually and it has a net operating budget cost of approximately $420,000 a year.
All airport users pay rent, user fees and other related airport fees consistent with industry practices.
In 2022, the total aircraft movements were approximately 95,000.
The airport will not sell or lease new airport lands for flight training purposes.
The attraction of a scheduled airline service is not pursued or promoted.
As part of any effort to address the impacts of the additional aircraft traffic on the community, it is critical to understand the legal framework. In this regard:
The City cannot unilaterally regulate or control the volume of aircraft traffic that can occur from the airport.
The City cannot unilaterally control or regulate the type of aircraft at the airport.
The City cannot unilaterally control or regulate.
The City cannot try to control or regulate the volume of aircraft traffic or the type of aircraft used by indirect means, such as the use of unreasonable fees or other unreasonable restrictions such as hours of operation, limiting access to taxiways and runways, etc.

Airport facts

Runway information

Runway 12/30 is 4,250 feet long by 100 ft wide.
Runway 05/23 is 2,654 feet long by 100 ft wide
Air Traffic Control Frequencies:
- Automatic Terminal Information System (A.T.I.S.): 125.675
- Ground Frequency: 118.40
- Tower / Mandatory Frequency: 120.10

Aircraft movement statistics

The Statistics Canada Aircraft movement webpage provides the ability to search approximately 100 airports for current and historical data within a wide array of choices such as class of operation and peak hour and peak day movements. To view information specific to Oshawa, use the following steps:

Go to the Statistics Canada Aircraft movement webpage
Select the Airports tab under customize table window
Unselect all airports
Select Oshawa
Press the apply button
To change the time period, select the reference period tab under customize table window
To change the class of operation, select the class of operations tab under customize table window
To view peak hour and peak day movements, select the peak hour and peak day movements tab under customize table window

Onsite weather conditions

The Oshawa Executive Airport has onsite weather monitoring available for the safety of you and your passengers. View current weather conditions and forecasts at:

Airport safety policy

Safety at Oshawa Executive Airport and maintaining the confidence of the surrounding community and the travelling public are vital. The Oshawa Airport provides a systemic, explicit and comprehensive Safety Management System (S.M.S.) for managing safety risks. Please send safety concerns to the airport management team at [email protected].

If you have a general safety concern, please complete the Transport Canada Civil Aviation Communication Centre contact form

Tree removal and management

The management of obstacles, including natural growth around the airport, is an major component of airport safety. Transport Canada (T.C.) has established the Oshawa Airport Zoning Regulations, limiting all obstacles height, including trees, within a 4 km radius around the airport.

Each year the airport measures the height of trees around the airport to ensure that they do not penetrate the airspace and create a hazard to aviation. It is important to note that the size of the tree must remain below the airspace and the lowest airspace, is located on the approach to each runway.

If a tree is nearing the airspace, the airport retains an arborist and determines the best method to prevent the tree from violating the airspace. Action may include trimming the tree or removing the tree subject to the location, age, type and access.

It is the responsibility of property owners to ensure compliance with the mandatory airport zoning regulations. When a the tree is on a residential property, the airport has a policy to help with tree trimming or removal. A suitable replacement will be planted if a residential property tree is removed. However, if the tree is on a commercial property the costs for tree trimming or removing belong to the commercial property owner.

Air quality and climate change

At the Oshawa Executive Airport, our environmental policy is based on continuous improvement, environmental compliance and pollution prevention. This policy includes a comprehensive strategy including but not limited to:

managing all fuel handled and stored at the airport
replacing building and airfield lighting with state of the art solar and L.E.D. lighting as able
reducing vehicle idling
managing stormwater runoff, including the reintroduction of clean rooftop rainwater back into the groundwater
Working to eliminate the use of leaded aviation fuel once Transport Canada approves an alternate fuel for aircraft use

Emergency management

The airport has a comprehensive Emergency Management Plan (E.R.P.), for all conceivable aviation related emergency scenarios on and off the airport. The plan is reviewed annually and includes input from Durham Region Police Service (D.R.P.S.), Oshawa Fire Services (O.F.S.), and Emergency Management Services (E.M.S.). In addition, there is an annual training exercise, which includes airport staff, airport tenants, D.R.P.S., O.F.S. and E.M.S. Whitby Fire Services are also included in the review and training exercises as per their mutual aid agreement with Oshawa Fire Services. The E.R.P. contains all relevant resources, contact procedures and information for all related provincial and federal departments and agencies.

Frequently asked questions

What time does the airport close?

The airport is open 24 hours a day, 365 days of the year. However, we have a voluntary policy to limit after hours flights (between 10:30 p.m. and 6:30 a.m.) to police, medical and industrial emergency flights and Oshawa based aircraft returning to the airport.

Why are trees being removed and trimmed at and around the airport?

The airport conducts surveys to ensure that trees surrounding the airport do not exceed the maximum height permitted by Transport Canada in the Oshawa Airport Zoning Regulations. If a tree becomes a concern, action will be taken to meet Transport Canada's safety regulations and may include tree removal or tree trimming.

Does the airport review land use submissions and planning decisions?

The airport reviews all land use submissions and site plans submitted to the City of Oshawa and most submissions from the eastern side of the Town of Whitby. It is vital to ensure that all land use and planning decisions comply with Transport Canada Airport Zoning Regulations as they set the obstacle height, the attraction of wildlife, and the airport noise exposure forecast (N.E.F.).

What determines which runway aircraft use?

For safety reasons by Transport Canada, aircraft are required to take-off and land facing into the wind.

If winds are less than 5 kn, aircraft (dependent on type) will depart and arrive on Runway 30. Aircraft using Runway 30 depart over the Lowes on Taunton Rd, limiting noise exposure to the residential communities surrounding the airport.

If winds are greater than 5 kn (9 km/h), the most suitable runway (dependent on aircraft type) in wind direction by heading must be used. For example, if the winds were 120 deg from the east at 5 kn or above, the aircraft would use Runway 12.

Why are military jets flying over Oshawa?

Military aircraft may be conducting training exercises or search and rescue missions along Lake Ontario. They often stop at the airport to refuel their aircraft. However, we do not get advanced notice of their arrival most of the time.

Do you have any flights to Florida?

We do not have any scheduled passenger flights from Oshawa, and there are no plans to have scheduled passenger service. The Oshawa Executive Airport is Ontario's largest general aviation and corporate only airport serving Oshawa, Durham Region, and the Greater Toronto Area.

Can I book a scenic flight for my family?

Two businesses at the airport that offer introductory and scenic aircraft flights.

Canadian Flight Academy
Durham Flight Centre

Is there a restaurant at the airport?

Prior to COVID-19 there was a small café within the Airport Terminal Building. At this time, the café has not reopened.

I have an unmanned aerial vehicle. Where am I allowed to fly?

Visit the Transport Canada website for information about the operation of unmanned aerial vehicles or drones.

How can I obtain a temporary crane permit?

Obstacles in the airspace around the Oshawa Executive Airport, such as temporary cranes, are a hazard to aviation safety. Therefore it is essential to inform pilots of the locations of these obstacles, and the time and date they will be in the airspace.

In addition, there are limitations to the height that these temporary obstacles can be under the Oshawa Executive Airport Zoning Regulations. These heights vary depending on your location. In some cases, temporary exemptions can be granted to these limitations; however, this process can take up to 60 days to complete.

Processing Times: The Oshawa Executive Airport will make every effort to process the permit application within three business days for cranes below the airport zoning limitations.

If you are eligible and require an exemption to the zoning, it may take up to 60 business days to process your request. Electronic submissions may also decrease the time needed to assess a submission.

For more information, please email [email protected]

Who can I speak to at the Oshawa Executive Airport?

Stephen Wilcox, Airport Manager
[email protected]

James Roffey, Airport Operations Manager
[email protected]

James Bolitho, Manager of Safety & Compliance
[email protected]

Kristina Stiel, Administration & Finance
[email protected]

Noise and traffic concerns frequently asked questions

Updated Tuesday, May 2.

Who is responsible for regulating airport activity?

The Oshawa Executive Airport is open 24 hours a day, 365 days of the year. However, voluntary flight restrictions are in place from 10:30 p.m. to 6:30 a.m. limiting flights to police, medical and industrial flights and Oshawa-based aircraft returning to the airport.

In 2021, the Federal Minister of Transport was contacted by both the City of Oshawa and the Town of Whitby who advocated that the Federal noise abatement procedures and restrictions for the Oshawa Executive Airport need to be implemented.

Additionally, in 2022, the City submitted to Transport Canada Proposed Noise Abatement Procedures for the Oshawa Executive Airport and Council’s position as expressed in DS-22-67 which requested that the Minister approve a new Noise Abatement Procedure. To date, neither the Minister of Transport nor Transport Canada has responded to the City.

More recently, the Minister of Transport, the Honourable Omar Alghabra, announced that “Transport Canada has issued a Request for Proposals to hire an aviation professional services contractor to help the department analyze current and future airport supply and demand in Southern Ontario. The contractor will assist Transport Canada officials in scoping the requirements for a comprehensive study of airport capacity in Southern Ontario, as well as a formal consultation process. Additional information can be found on the Government of Canada’s website: Following the scoping of work for the study, Transport Canada will post a second Request for Proposals to engage a third-party contractor to undertake the study as well as the consultation. This analysis, as well as engagement with local stakeholders, the provincial and municipal governments, and Indigenous Peoples, is a first step towards making a final decision to address future airport capacity constraints in the region, and on the future of the Pickering Lands. We have no intention to proceed with building an airport on the Pickering Lands in the near term and the conclusions of the study could lead, for example, to a determination that an airport on the Pickering Lands is not required in the long term”. For more information visit, Transport Canada website.

Why do they aircraft always seem to fly over my house regardless of which way the wind is blowing?

Nav Canada operates the control tower at the Oshawa Executive Airport and is responsible for the arrival and departure of all aircraft between 6:30 a.m. and 10:30 p.m. each day. This includes the selection of which runway to use based on Transport Canada regulations. When the winds are 5 knots or above, based on the control tower’s wind monitoring equipment, these regulations mandate that the control tower staff must direct aircraft to the most favorable runway based on the wind direction with the exception that larger aircraft may request the airport’s main runway 12/30 due to its longer runway length.

What are the roles of Transport Canada and NavCan?

Transport Canada is the regulator and they are responsible for establishing and ensuring compliance with all regulations governing airport operations, aircraft operations and the operation of the air navigation system. It is important to note that only Transport Canada can establish and enforce regulations relating to aviation such as the aircraft noise abatement regulations.

Nav Canada is a not-for-profit corporation responsible for the operation of Canada’s national air navigation system and this includes the operation of the Nav Canada control tower located at the Oshawa Executive Airport. In its control tower roles, Nav Canada is responsible for the arrival and departure of all aircrafts using the Oshawa Executive Airport. This role includes the selection of which runway to use in accordance with Transport Canada regulations; Nav Canada operates the tower (which includes runway selection) between 6:30 a.m. until 10:30 p.m., 365 days a year.

Why does flight training occur on some holiday Mondays such as Family Day or Easter Monday when the voluntary noise abatement procedures indicate that there should not be any circuit training on the Sunday and Monday of long weekends?

The airport is regulated by the Federal government and as such this policy applies to all Federal statutory holiday weekends. For example, on the Easter long weekend Friday is the Federal statutory holiday and Monday is a Provincial holiday. On this weekend there is no circuit training on the Friday and Sunday. It is important to note that although there is no circuit training on holiday long weekends, aircraft may still depart and return to the airport.

Why are the flight schools continuing to operate at the airport?

There are two flight schools operating at the Oshawa Executive Airport: Canadian Flight Academy and Durham Flight Centre.

The continued operation of the Canadian Flight Academy at the Oshawa Executive Airport is a matter before the Ontario Superior Court of Justice. The City has been waiting for a decision from Justice Dawe since fall 2022. Justice Dawe’s decision was released on March 23, 2023 and can be found online at Canadian Legal Information Institute website.

Given that trial sittings are scheduled only twice a year (May and November), and there are procedural requirements that must be completed before this matter can proceed to trial, the City anticipates that this matter will be set for trial in November 2023.

Why are the legal proceedings taking so long?

As referenced in the City’s Update on Noise and Air Traffic Concerns, the City has been waiting for a decision from Justice Dawe since fall 2022. Justice Dawe’s decision was released on March 23, 2023 and can be found online at Canadian Legal Information Institute website.

Since trial sittings are scheduled only twice a year (May and November) and there are procedural requirements that must be completed before this matter can proceed to trial, the City anticipates that this matter will be set for trial in November 2023.

What are the annual aircraft movements at the Oshawa Executive Airport?

Aircraft movements are tracked using data received from Nav Canada. Aircraft movements between 2021 and 2022 saw an approximately 17% decrease in traffic. In 2021, there were approximately 96,669 total aircraft movements and in 2022, there were approximately 79,695 total aircraft movements. For further information, visit Statistics Canada’s Aircraft movement webpage.

Why are there aircraft movements at night?

Night flight aircraft movements are tracked and are limited to police, medical and industrial flights and Oshawa-based aircrafts returning to the airport.

What is the City doing to help mitigate the noise at the Oshawa Executive Airport?

Transport Canada is the regulator and only the Federal government can regulate airport activity. This means that municipal by-laws cannot be used to regulate aircraft activity and that Members of Council, City staff and the Airport Manager do not have the authority to regulate aircraft activity and no ability to control or limit flight activities. In 2021, the Federal Minister of Transport was contacted by both the City of Oshawa and the Town of Whitby who advocated that the Federal noise abatement procedures and restrictions for the Oshawa Executive Airport need to be implemented.

There are two methods available to the City for the establishment of a new noise abatement procedure at the Airport: a voluntary process and a formal process. Both processes are required to be undertaken in the context of Canadian Aviation Regulation 602.105, in compliance with Transport Canada’s Advisory Circular 302-020. To date, the 2016 voluntary process has been used to establish the current noise and traffic management plan at the Airport. However, the voluntary process is not effective and in 2021, the City contacted the Federal Minister of Transport to advance the formal process and establish a new Noise Abatement Procedure and Restrictions under the Transport Canada Circular.

In addition, in 2022, the City submitted to Transport Canada Proposed Noise Abatement Procedures for the Oshawa Executive Airport and Council’s position as expressed in DS-22-67, which requested that the Minister approve a new Noise Abatement Procedure. To date, Transport Canada has not responded to the City.

More recently, the Minister of Transport, the Honourable Omar Alghabra, announced that “Transport Canada has issued a Request for Proposals to hire an aviation professional services contractor to help the department analyze current and future airport supply and demand in Southern Ontario. The contractor will assist Transport Canada officials in scoping the requirements for a comprehensive study of airport capacity in Southern Ontario, as well as a formal consultation process. Following the scoping of work for the study, Transport Canada will post a second Request for Proposals to engage a third-party contractor to undertake the study as well as the consultation. This analysis, as well as engagement with local stakeholders, the provincial and municipal governments, and Indigenous Peoples, is a first step towards making a final decision to address future airport capacity constraints in the region, and on the future of the Pickering Lands. We have no intention to proceed with building an airport on the Pickering Lands in the near term and the conclusions of the study could lead, for example, to a determination that an airport on the Pickering Lands is not required in the long term”. Additional information can be found on the Government of Canada’s website.

What is the status of the proposed Noise Abatement Procedures submitted to Transport Canada?

In November 2021, the City of Oshawa hosted a series of virtual workshops with community members and airport users to obtain input on the Draft Proposed Noise Abatement Procedures for the Oshawa Executive Airport. The draft procedures were developed in consultation with H.M. Aero Aviation Consulting, a professional team of individuals with significant airport-related experience, including familiarity with creating noise abatement procedures.

Using the federal process prescribed by Transport Canada to develop a solution, the 14 Draft Proposed Noise Abatement Procedures are outlined in Report DS-21-190 and were intended to address noise, safety and air quality concerns identified in the 2021-2022 Oshawa Executive Airport Action Plan. View the H.M. Aero report Proposed Noise Abatement Procedures for the Oshawa Executive Airport submitted to Transport Canada. Council’s position as expressed in DS-22-67 is to request the Minister approve a new Noise Abatement Procedure. In addition, the Mayor has sent numerous letters to the Minister of Transport. To date, neither Transport Canada nor the Minister of Transport has responded to the City.

What is the noise and traffic management policy?

General Aircraft Movements:

Night Operational Limitations: Between the hours of 10:30 p.m. and 6:30 a.m., only police, medical and industrial emergency flights are permitted to land and take off from the Oshawa Executive Airport. Other airport tenants with aircraft based at the Oshawa Executive Airport are permitted to land during the hours above, but are not permitted to take off.
Preferential Runway Use: Runway 30 is the preferential runway at the Oshawa Executive Airport (aircraft depart from the southeast to the northwest over Thornton Road and Taunton Road). Aircraft will use this runway when the winds are blowing from a heading of 210 degrees (incrementally) to 30 degrees at up to 5 knots.
Departure Procedures: Aircraft leaving the Oshawa Executive Airport will continue to fly on the runway heading until they reach 1,000 feet above sea level (540 feet above ground level) before they turn off the runway heading.
Arrivals Procedures: Aircraft flying into the Oshawa Executive Airport will remain at least 1,000 feet above sea level (540 feet above ground level) before making the turn for their final approach for landing.

Flight Training Restrictions (includes private aircraft):

Prior permission by the Airport Manager is required for all flight training including private and commercial pilot recurrent training.
A maximum of 12 aircrafts are permitted in the circuit for training purposes on Runway 05/23 at any given time.
Flight training aircraft will not utilize a touch-and-go departure pattern on any runway after 4 p.m. on any Saturday or Sunday.

During the holiday long weekends, circuit training is not permitted on the Sunday or Monday on any runway.

How can there be a noise and traffic management policy if Transport Canada regulates air traffic and flights?

At the local level, airports may establish voluntary noise abatement procedures provided they have consensus from all users. However, if an airport user violates the voluntary procedure there is no recourse in law.

Oshawa has voluntary procedures that were updated in 2016 and airport users are reminded of these procedures on an ongoing basis. In addition, the Oshawa Executive Airport staff routinely monitor aircraft activity and although we have no recourse if a user violates the procedures, most if not all operators respect the current procedures.

Unfortunately, the flight schools will not accept any further voluntary restrictions and therefore, the City contacted the Federal Minister of Transport to advance the formal process and establish a new Noise Abatement Procedure and Restrictions under the Transport Canada Circular.

In 2022, the City submitted to Transport Canada Proposed Noise Abatement Procedures for the Oshawa Executive Airport and Council’s position as expressed in DS-22-67 is to request the Minister to approve a new Noise Abatement Procedure. To date, Transport Canada has not responded to the City.

What is the status of the Airport Business Plan

On June 21, 2021, City Council endorsed the 2021-2022 Oshawa Executive Airport Action Plan outlined in Report DS-21-44. The Oshawa Executive Airport Business Plan is a comprehensive document intended to guide actions and the decision making process. The Action Plan contains 14 action items related to the Oshawa Executive Airport for the City to advance.

Will the Oshawa Executive Airport close in the future?

City Council has committed to operate the Airport to not less than 2033, regardless of whether Pickering Airport is built, in order to attract new investment and allow the Airport to fulfill its supporting role as an economic driver of the City and the Region.

Under the Operating and Options Agreement with the Federal government, the City has an obligation to operate the airport until 2047 or until the Pickering Airport is built. However, the City may close the airport if it becomes redundant in the future.

What are the City’s plans to extend the runway?

On June 25, 2012, pursuant to Item DS-12-241, Oshawa City Council passed a resolution to not support any proposed extension of Runway 12/30 from 4,000 feet to 5,000 feet, and that no further work be done on the runway extension, including further study. Any shift from this position would need direction from Oshawa City Council.

Does the Oshawa Executive Airport run a deficit?

The airport and former airport lands annually generates approximately $1.7M in property taxes and it has a net operating budget cost of approximately $420,000 a year.

What is the City’s arrangement with Total Aviation & Airport Solutions (T.A.A.S.)

The agreement between T.A.A.S. and the City is from September 1, 2016 until August 31, 2026. The annual fee is approximately $990,000. T.A.A.S. provides all the staff and equipment necessary to operate the airport and does not receive a percentage or financial incentive for any fuel sales.

Can you sell land at the Oshawa Executive Airport?

Any land transaction that involves the sale of City-owned land is governed by the Municipal Act, 2001. The sale of any lands would require Council approval and would only be advanced consistent with the City’s Real Estate By-law, the Municipal Act, 2001 and at fair market value.

Currently, 100% of all land sale proceeds are retained by the City while the airport is operational and are deposited into the airport’s capital reserve account and contribute to the capital needs of the airport. Additionally, the City will not sell or lease new airport lands for flight training purposes.

How were the existing landing fees determined as they seem higher than Hamilton, Billy Bishop, Waterloo, Peterborough and Lake Simcoe airports?

All airport users pay rent, user fees and other related airport fees consistent with industry practices. A complete review of the airport user fees was undertaken in 2020. This included a review of multiple comparative airport fees along with a comparison of airport revenue generated by each of the three key airport user groups, which are general aviation, flight training and corporate aviation. As a result, the airport fees were amended to provide a better balance between all user groups.