The Sarnia Chris Hadfield Airport Future Operations and Planning Committee will meet on April 7, 2026, to discuss the next steps for the local airport in Sarnia, Ontario. The meeting is set to begin at 10:00 a.m. in the Council Chambers at City Hall.
This group was formed to help the City of Sarnia decide how the airport should be managed and funded in the coming years. The city has spent up to $400,000 every year since 2021 to support the facility after regular passenger flights ended in July 2020.
The upcoming meeting follows a recent celebration for a new luxury bus service that will link the airport to Toronto Pearson International Airport. This service, which will be provided by Air Canada starting June 15, 2026, is a test project that allows passengers to check their bags and book travel as part of a single trip.
City leaders are also considering the long-term costs of keeping the airport open, which could reach $27 million for building and equipment improvements over the next 20 years. The current operating contract for the facility is set to end on July 30, 2027, adding more urgency to the committee’s work to find a new management plan.
The committee plans to finish its investigation and share a final report with city council by June 2026. Members are currently looking at whether the airport should be run as a city-owned business or if the city should keep direct control over its daily operations.
