Airport shuttle service closing operations after 51 years

Airways Transit is closing operations after not profiting for several years, the company said in a statement.

The airport shuttle service, which helped customers get to and from Pearson International Airport, Region of Waterloo Airport and Hamilton International Airport, will no longer operate as of Feb. 21. Trips booked before Saturday will still proceed, the company said.

“After careful consideration, the company has made the difficult decision to cease operations,” a statement sent to CityNews reads. “The business has been unprofitable since experiencing a significant reduction in sales during and following the COVID-19 pandemic.”

Airways Transit said it had been undergoing efforts to stabilize the business, manage debt and return to profitability, but “it has become clear that continuing operations is no longer viable.”

For customers who booked with the business for trips after Feb. 21, the company said they should reach out to their credit card providers.

“We understand this news is disappointing and sincerely thank our customers, partners, and employees for their support over the years,” it said.

The shuttle service provided military, first responders and seniors a discount and allowed people a way to get to regional airports.

More tourists coming to the region

This comes as tourism numbers show just how popular Waterloo Region is as a travel destination.

The data is coming from Explore Waterloo Region (Explore WR), which shows that around 5 million visitors made their way to the region in 2024, leading to $829 million in economic revenue. This comes as many are beginning to book tickets for their next vacation.

Looking at 2025, while the full figures still aren’t known, early indicators from January through to July saw a 2 per cent gain compared with the same period the year before, while the summer months saw a 5 per cent year-over-year boost.