YMM Annual Public Meeting

Thank you to everyone who attended the YMM Public Meeting at the Fort McMurray International Airport. We truly appreciated your participation and engagement. Your questions and feedback are invaluable as we continue working to enhance the airport experience for our community.

For those who couldn’t attend in person, the APM event video is now available on www.FlyYMM.com. Click the link below to view the full annual report.

The 2025 YMM Digital Art Exhibit

The Fort McMurray International Airport hosted the launch of the 2025 YMM Digital Art Exhibit’s Art of Connection Series on April 4, attracting over 80 art enthusiasts and community members.

The event showcased the talents of local artists Lisa Smith, Rienna Blare Davey, and Hira Noor, highlighting their contributions to the vibrant arts scene in the region. Guests had the opportunity to engage with the artists and experience their original works up close.

Attendees enjoyed viewing the original pieces and hearing directly from the artists. A special thanks to Earls Kitchen + Bar for the delicious food and drinks, and to Chris Pottie for the live music. The event raised over $2,400 for Arts Council Wood Buffalo through ticket sales, donations, and a silent auction, which included a donated print from each featured artist.



The digital art exhibit will rotate every three months, with Lisa Smith’s “Into Africa” currently on display until the end of June. Stay tuned for more information on upcoming exhibits!

YMM Connections to Halifax

Travel to YHZ (Halifax, Nova Scotia) with WestJet in 7 hours and 36 mins from YMM with one quick stop via YEG (Edmonton, Alberta). This summer, WestJet is increasing flights to Halifax by 8%, offering 13 flights per week. The city is gearing up for the highly anticipated Halifax Music Fest from June 27 to 29, with The Killers and Nickleback—click here to check it out! There’s much more to discover in Nova Scotia’s favourite harbour city.

Air Canada Flight Attendants’ Final Flight

Team YMM celebrated the final flight of Air Canada Flight Attendants Heather Ferguson and Cindy Yates as they headed into retirement on April 15. Together, they have an impressive 66 years of service in the aviation industry.

“We are thankful for the many years they spent helping travellers feel safe, welcomed, and cared for. On behalf of the entire YMM team, we wish them both happiness and fulfillment in this exciting new chapter,” said Denean Robinson, president and CEO of the Fort McMurray Airport Authority.

YMM History Moment

A big thank you to Adam Langmead for sharing these photos from June 24, 2012. His snapshots capture the construction of the Fort McMurray International Airport, featuring a landing of F-16 trainers from Cold Lake on the YMM runway.

The F-16 Fighting Falcon is a multi-role fighter aircraft produced by Lockheed Martin and widely used by the Canadian Armed Forces. The new terminal building at YMM was completed and officially opened on June 9, 2014, marking its eleventh anniversary this year.



If you have a historical photo to share, please email dawn.booth@flyymm.com.

YMM in the News

Click on the following to learn what the web is sharing about YMM:

• Explore the Art of Connection at YMM’s Digital Art Exhibit

Team YMM Spotlight on Lorna Ash

Local HERO Foundation Executive Director Lorna Ash is sharing awareness for the HERO IN FLIGHT fundraising campaign this month. The annual initiative highlights the incredible efforts made to deliver 24/7 emergency helicopter services to Northeastern Alberta.

Since fall 2023, Lorna has made significant strides in her role. We caught up with her before the event to learn more about her and the importance of the foundation’s presence in the Wood Buffalo region.

“Every day in this role reminds me why the Local HERO Foundation exists,” she said. “It’s about ensuring that no matter where someone lives in our region, they have access to life-saving emergency care.”

Lorna loves knowing that their work directly impacts lives. “It’s humbling and motivating to be part of a team that helps people on their worst days, alongside passionate professionals who believe in the mission as deeply as I do,” she said. “There’s a real sense of purpose here, and I don’t take that for granted.”

YMM Celebrates Volunteer Week with FuseSocial

YMM is proud to partner with FuseSocial for their upcoming Sky High Celebration: Thanking Those That Go The Extra Mile, taking place at the Fort McMurray International Airport, Level 3, on May 2 from 7 PM to 9 PM. This free event is open to all community volunteers. Enjoy snacks, trivia, and bingo for a chance to win prizes!



Also, join our YMM Volunteers at the Get Involved Wood Buffalo FREE Community Event on May 3 at the Syncrude Sports & Wellness Centre. Our furry friends from PAWS (Pets and Wellness Society) will also be there. Come out and connect with dozens of volunteer-focused organizations!

Explore YMM: Guided Tours Now Available

YMM invites the community to join guided tours of the airport grounds, facilities, and infrastructure from May through August. This is a fantastic opportunity to discover the terminal’s stunning art and architecture. During the tour, guests will enjoy an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the world of aviation and learn about the daily operations that keep the airport running smoothly.

Group tours are suitable for all ages (pre-security only) and can accommodate groups of 1 to 30 people. Each tour lasts between 45 minutes to 1 hour. To book a tour, complete the Tour Booking Form below and email it to community@flyymm.com.

On the YMM Runway: Over the Control Tower

FMAA’s Airport Maintenance Technician, Rebecca Greenham, captured this photo of the northern lights at the NAV CANADA Control Tower last month. Rebecca’s photograph highlights the tower’s lights casting a surreal glow on the auroras, creating a scene that seems plucked from the pages of a science fiction epic. With northern light activity peaking in April, many locals took the opportunity to witness this natural phenomenon, making it a memorable month for stargazers in the area.

End of the Runway – Airport Humour