When it comes to Canada airports, we're used to reading superlatives about the best, not worst. While all airports in Canada adhere to the highest safety standards, and strive for positive customer experiences, these names are decidedly "up in the air" when it comes to interpretation!
1. Asbestos Hill (YAF)
No, they're not Daft Punk, these are firefighters dressed to enter a building with asbestos contamination. Fortunately, you don't have to wear these outfits to and from YAF.
Location: Quebec
A mineral to which exposure can lead to deadly diseases isn't exactly the most welcoming airport name, but it does say where it's located, in Asbestos Hill, Quebec. The area plays an important part of the region's economy, it's just unfortunate that the association with dangerous asbestos pervades. Fear not, passengers, the aircraft and terminal building will not lead to terminal illness.
2. Desolation Sound (YDS)
Abandoned Chernobyl nuclear power plant. A pictorial representation of what "desolation" brings to mind.
Location: British Columbia
Here's an abridged review of online definitions:
desolation (ˌdɛsəˈleɪʃən), noun
1. the state of being abaondoned or foresaken
2. devastation; ruin
3. solitary misery; wretchedness
4. a desolate region; barren waste
Not exactly the words you want to associate with air travel.
Are these airport names making you "Scream" yet?
3. Slave Lake Airport (YZH)
Location: Alberta
This small town in Northern Alberta, between Edmonton to the north and Fort McMurray to the south, is actually a lovely place. For those unfamiliar with it, an airport named Slave Lake doesn't exactly have marketing appeal.
We prefer not to think of the visual this ominous name gives, and instead focus on its quaint community and beaches.
4. Deception Bay (YGY)
Location: Quebec
If you second guess where you're going when this is your destination, we don't blame you. This remote airport in Northern Quebec, close to the Nunavut border, however serves as an important hub for local mining industries and air cargo.
5. Black Tickle Airport (YBI)
Location: Newfoundland & Labrador
This one may be among the weirdest, not worst, airport names, but was deserving of some mention. Perhaps it's the ominous "black" in the name that makes one think of sneaky arms coming up behind you, which doesn't sit well when trying to relax on an airplane. Even if said arms are only looking to tickle!
Canada airport codes 101
When you see an airport code beginning with the letter "Y", you know that it's a Canadian airport. Why the Y, you ask?
World airport codes were initially established by the U.S. National Weather Service. Canada was designated by a “Y” for all airports associated with a weather office. Codes like YVR for Vancouver and YWG for Winnipeg make sense, but Canada’s busiest airport, Toronto Pearson International Airport, received the snazzy, if not somewhat confusing, YYZ. You may find that some travel organizations use the non-standard YTO to identify Toronto, but it’s actually a city code, that encompasses not only YYZ, but also YKZ Buttonville Municipal Airportand YTZ Toronto City Centre Airport.
During July, officially Canad's 150th birthday month, we're encouraging you to check out parts of our great country you may not have considered before. You don't have to fly into the airports that made this list, but if you're feeling adventurous, why not? Talk to a Flight Centre travel expert today at 1 877 967 5302, or visit us at a shop near you.
