Durham Flight Center (DFC) and Oshawa City have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that introduces, according to the city, significant noise‑mitigation measures at the Oshawa Executive Airport.
The airport serves as an executive and emergency‑response hub.
The MOU reflects a coordinated approach to addressing community concerns related to flight training noise and activity, said a city statement.
At the core of the agreement are substantial operational changes that have been implemented by DFC to directly reduce noise impacts. Effective May 1, these commitments include:
- No circuit training operations on Sundays, eliminating all touch‑and‑go and full‑stop circuit training activities for the full day.
- No circuit training operations on Saturdays after 4 pm.
- Minimum two‑hour aircraft booking slots on Saturdays after 4 pm. and throughout Sundays, reducing the overall frequency of departures and arrivals.
Suspension of all flight‑training and aircraft rental operations on Ontario’s nine public holidays – New Year’s Day, Family Day, Good Friday, Victoria Day, Canada Day, Labour Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas Day and Boxing Day – as well as on the August Civic Holiday (first Monday in August).
Reconfiguration of Runway 12/30
This agreement builds on several initiatives that the city has implemented at the airport following council’s endorsement of the 2024 Action Plan. This includes major investments in noise and safety infrastructure, including construction of a noise wall and sound barrier and the reconfiguration of Runway 12/30 to help reduce noise over residential neighbourhoods.
Additionally, in October 2025, the city and DFC reached an agreement in which DFC committed not to expand its training fleet along with investments to upgrade its existing aircraft with quieter and more fuel-efficient components.
“This agreement marks a monumental step forward in our effort to create a more balanced airport model. We are grateful to the Durham Flight Centre for its partnership and collaboration. Together, we are fulfilling our commitment to reducing noise impacts for nearby neighbourhoods while maintaining a thriving hub for corporate travel, general aviation, and emergency response operations,” said Mayor Dan Carter.