Canada advances Inuvik airport runway extension for Arctic defence role
Ottawa is extending the runway at Inuvik airport in the Northwest Territories as part of a C$230 million upgrade tied to Canada's Arctic defence strategy.
Construction is progressing on a C$230 million ($165 million) upgrade to Inuvik airport in Canada's Northwest Territories, according to the federal government. The project, first announced in 2023, will lengthen the main runway from 1,829 metres to 2,743 metres, an extension of more than 900 metres.
Other planned work includes widening the taxiway and modernising lighting, navigation aids and a military aircraft arrestor system. Ottawa says the improvements are expected to be finished in 2027.
Inuvik functions mainly as a commercial airport but also serves as a forward operating base for the Royal Canadian Air Force above the Arctic Circle, roughly 100km from the Arctic Ocean coastline. Air force F/A-18 fighters, fitted with reinforced tailhooks for carrier landings, use the arrestor cable system there to land in poor weather. Ski-equipped CC-138 Twin Otters, a military version of the DHC-6 turboprop, also operate from the site.
The upgrades are intended to let Inuvik handle larger and heavier aircraft. Canada is currently acquiring Boeing P-8A Poseidon patrol aircraft, Saab GlobalEye surveillance jets and Airbus A330 tanker transports, according to the government.
Sources
- flightglobal.comProgress continues on Inuvik airport runway extension under Canada’s Arctic defence push