by Natasha Lair
Last updated: 12:15 PM ET, Mon January 12, 2026
United States and Canada (Photo Credit: Rawf8 / AdobeStock)
Longstanding preclearance operations remain a priority for both Ottawa and Washington, even as passenger traffic from Canadian hubs to U.S. destinations continues to soften.
According to reporting by CityNews, U.S. officials reiterated this week that preclearance operations on Canadian soil, where U.S. Customs and Border Protection screen travellers before departure, remain a “critical component” of broader border strategy.
Preclearance allows travellers heading south to clear U.S. inspections in Canada, speeding connections and reducing bottlenecks upon arrival. The system operates at eight major Canadian airports and a ferry terminal in Prince Rupert, B.C., and accounts for a majority of outbound U.S. traffic processed worldwide from Canada.
U.S. Ambassador to Canada Pete Hoekstra suggested at a conference in Alberta last Fall that the U.S. may need to rethink preclearance because of the decline in Canadian travel to the United States.
Ottawa and Washington have signalled that two long‑planned expansions, including a new facility at Toronto’s Billy Bishop Airport (YTZ), are moving forward, with operations expected to begin this spring.
Shifting Travel Trends
As recently reported by the Vancouver Sun, the number of travellers flying from Vancouver International Airport (YVR) to U.S. destinations has declined for 10 consecutive months through late 2025 and early 2026. Latest figures indicate roughly 230,000 passengers flew from Vancouver to the U.S. in November, nearly 11% fewer than the same month a year earlier.
Industry observers cited by the Vancouver Sun attribute the decline to a combination of factors: higher costs due to a strong U.S. dollar, political tensions along the border, and concerns about border processing that may deter some travellers. YVR’s overall traffic has remained stable or grown in other international markets, highlighting a shift in traveller demand away from traditional U.S. routes.
Industry Impact and Implications
Canada-wide, flights to the U.S. fell 13.5% in November 2025 compared with the same month in 2024, with Toronto recording the largest decline (13.7%), followed by Montreal (13.2%) and Calgary (12.5%). These four airports handle roughly 90% of all U.S.-bound traffic, Statistics Canada reports.
Canadian airports and tourism operators are navigating an environment where traveller sentiment and economic conditions increasingly influence strategic planning.
Air Canada announced plans last fall to expand U.S. flights with daily routes from Billy Bishop this year to New York, Boston, Washington and Chicago, largely due to the airport adding preclearance.
The U.S. Embassy in Ottawa says Customs and Border Protection continuously reviews staffing and resources to meet operational priorities. Government and border officials have stressed that ongoing preclearance expansion, including potential future sites at rail stations and ferry terminals, is intended to support security, travel convenience and tourism sectors.
As Canada navigates these shifts in U.S.-bound travel, questions remain about long-term passenger habits and whether current declines represent a temporary dip or a lasting trend.
Major upcoming events, such as the 2026 FIFA World Cup co-hosted by Canada, the U.S., and Mexico, could offer a boost in cross-border traffic, but whether it will reverse declines or simply provide a short-term surge remains to be seen.
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