Nanisivik Airport

Nanisivik Airport

Nanisivik Airport terminal, June 2006
IATA: YSR – ICAO: CYSR
Summary
Airport type Public
Operator Government of Nunavut
Serves Arctic Bay, Nunavut
Location Nanisivik
Time zone EST (UTC−05:00)
 • Summer (DST) EDT (UTC−04:00)
Elevation AMSL 2,106 ft / 642 m
Coordinates 72°58′56″N 084°36′49″W / 72.98222°N 84.61361°W / 72.98222; -84.61361Coordinates: 72°58′56″N 084°36′49″W / 72.98222°N 84.61361°W / 72.98222; -84.61361
Map
CYSR

Location in Nunavut

Runways
Direction Length Surface
ft m
11/29 6,400 1,951 Gravel
Statistics (2010)
Aircraft movements 464

Nanisivik Airport (IATA: YSR, ICAO: CYSR) was located 8 nautical miles (15 km; 9.2 mi) south of Nanisivik,[3] Nunavut, Canada, and was operated by the Government of Nunavut. Although Nanisivik Mine[4] closed in September 2002 the airport was in operation until 2011 and served the community of Arctic Bay.[5] This was due to the small size of Arctic Bay Airport.[6] However, on January 13, 2011, First Air transferred all scheduled air services to Arctic Bay's newly expanded airport.[7]

The airport was about 19 km (12 mi) directly southeast of Arctic Bay but the road between them is 32 km (20 mi) and a one way taxi fare was $40.00.[7][8]

Conversion to naval station

On August 8, 2007, CBC News reported that Canadian Forces documents showed plans to convert the site into a naval station. The plan, which would turn the former mine's existing port into a deepwater facility, would cost $60 million and it was expected that Prime Minister Stephen Harper would make an announcement during his stop in Resolute.[9]

On August 10, 2007, Prime Minister Stephen Harper announced construction of a new docking and refueling facility in Nanisivik for the Canadian Forces, in an effort to maintain a Canadian presence in Arctic waters during the navigable season (June–October). The choice for Nanisivik as a site was partially based on its location within the eastern entrance to the Northwest Passage, and as there is an existing deep-water berthing facility at the site,[10] and a "jet-capable" airstrip nearby.

Detailed planning for the project began in August 2007, with environmental studies and assessments will be being carried out in the summer of 2008. Construction at the site is expected to begin in the summer of 2010, with early operating capability available in 2012. The facility was planned to be fully operational by 2015,[11] but now delayed until at least 2018.

The re-opening of the Nanisvik Airport is unlikely to be need as a helicopter pad is planned for the naval station site.

References

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