Plans to develop a certified airport in Nain have passed another environmental hurdle.
The provincial government has given the project the environmental green light.
The Nunatsiavut Government is in the process of developing an airport to replace the current airstrip in Nain with the aim of making air travel to and from Nain more reliable.
The current airstrip is aligned in such a way that prevailing winds result in half of all fights being delayed or cancelled, and it cannot be upgraded due to a variety of operational complexities – not the least of which is its proximity to the ocean. In 2022, the airstrip was partially flooded with seawater by storm surge.
Photo via Government of Canada
The proposed airport will include a terminal building, parking apron for aircraft, taxiways, a maintenance building, freight and storage warehouse, pad for de-icing and fueling area.
The project will also require an access road that will be approximately 12 km in length to connect air travelers to the town.
The new airport will operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week and will include an emergency response centre. The new facility will also be able to accommodate larger cargo and passenger planes.
