Fort McMurray International Airport Connects Community Through Engagement

“We welcome everyone—from the youngest learners to longtime residents—to see the people and possibilities behind the scenes at YMM.”

Denean Robinson, President and CEO of the Fort McMurray Airport Authority, receives YMM’s Airport Workforce Development Accreditation from ACI-NA President and CEO Kevin Burke.

At Fort McMurray International Airport (YMM), workforce development is a community effort. As a proudly accredited airport in the Airport Workforce Development Accreditation program, YMM has made it a mission to introduce aviation to the region—not just to future employees, but to people of all ages and backgrounds.

Through wide-ranging outreach efforts, YMM opens its doors to students, youth groups, Indigenous communities, seniors, and more. From daycare tours and scout visits to cadet programming and youth engagement, the airport offers tailored experiences that showcase aviation as a place of opportunity, curiosity, and connection.

Groups such as Anzac Recreation, Willow Lake First Nation, and the Royal Canadian Air Cadets have all had unique access to the airport’s facilities and teams. These visits aren’t just tours—they’re meaningful moments of discovery that plant the seeds of interest in aviation careers while deepening relationships with the community.

YMM also recognizes the importance of inclusive engagement. The airport has hosted sensory-friendly tours and event timeslots, ensuring families of children with autism or sensory sensitivities feel welcome and included in the airport environment.

By opening its doors and actively participating in the lives of its neighbors, Fort McMurray International Airport exemplifies how workforce development can be rooted in connection, trust, and visibility.