YELLOWKNIFE AIRPORT (YZF) HISTORY
YZF is the gateway to the Northwest Territories (NWT) and the Arctic. It plays a major role in supporting industry, tourism, and the overall quality of life in the North.
YZF was built in the summer of 1944 at the expense of Canadian Pacific Airlines (CPAL) under the direction of Walter Gilbert, the district manager. Construction took six men, five days, and cost a mere $450. The single strip ran parallel to Long Lake.
At that time, there was no road from the Yellowknife townsite to the airport, a distance of five kilometres. Passengers using the airport boarded a float plane shuttle to commute between the town and the strip. To the locals, these were called ‘elevator trips’ because the short distance consisted of going up and coming right back down. In the winter of 1945, equipment was brought in from Fort Simpson to build a road from Yellowknife to the airstrip.
In 1946, the Department of Transport Yellowknife took over the airport operation from CPAL. Within the next two years, two gravel runways were built located approximately half a kilometre south of the original strip.
In 1946, two airlines began operating in the Yellowknife area. Northern Flights Ltd. (owner of the first DC-3 to be placed in public service in the Yellowknife area) began operations in June 1946, to Edmonton, Peace River, and Fort St. John. Max Ward, later the founder of Wardair, was one of the pilots for the company. Canadian Pacific Airlines began service to Edmonton via Fort Smith and Fort McMurray.
In 1954, The Department of Transport Yellowknife began major improvements beginning with the paving of two runways. Tender specifications required 24-hour operations by the contractor with a completion date of September 1, 1954. One of the major challenges of construction in the North is transporting necessary equipment to construction sites. In April of 1954 Curry and Lamoureaux brought in 120 tons of heavy construction equipment by tractor train across the ice of Great Slave Lake from Hay River, completing the journey in three and a half days.
In 1955, YZF was used by the Canadian Army and the RCAF mobile striking force for an exercise titled “Operation Bulldog III”. The maneuvers involved an airborne assault by troops and aircrafts against the airport and installations.
In May 1957, YZF achieved international status as an alternate airport when Canadian Pacific Airlines introduced non-stop DC-6B Empress flights from Vancouver to Amsterdam. This 13-hour, 6,115 kilometre route over Yellowknife is 2,376 kilometres shorter than by way of Edmonton and Montreal. YZF’s international status meant it was equipped to handle international diversions, with the necessary customs and immigration services in place for overseas flights.
In 1963, a modern terminal building was constructed. Due to increased air traffic, a new control tower was added to the terminal in 1972. The terminal was expanded in 1973,1989, and again in 2005 to accommodate increased traffic in the area.
In 1995, the land, assets, and operations of all Transport Canada (TC) airports in the NWT, including YZF, along with the associated federal staff and resources, were transferred to the Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT). Today, the NWT is well served by 44 aerodromes in the territories, including 27 owned and operated by the GNWT Department of Infrastructure.
YZF, located in the capital city of Yellowknife, serves as the primary aviation gateway to communities within the North and is one of 26 airports in Canada included in the National Airports System (NAS). The NAS is defined by TC as airports with strategic infrastructure assets essential to Canada’s air transportation system.
Since the late 1980s, YZF’s aviation traffic has doubled and is expected to continue growing at a rate higher than the national average forecast for the top 100 Canadian airports. To meet current demands and continue to serve as the aviation hub for the North, YZF must continue to renew and expand its primary facilities in a planned and timely way.
YZF hosts extensive commercial activities that rely on quality aviation facilities and services. Non-aviation-related businesses are attracted to YZF because of the North’s available and accessible land. YZF services federal and territorial aviation needs associated with national defence, aircraft forest fire fighting, medevac, and charter aircraft operations and base facilities.
Air transportation is recognized by the GNWT as an essential component in the implementation of its strategic activities. The GNWT created a YZF Revolving Fund that came into force on July 1, 2017 and has actively sought to put YZF on a secure, financially self-sustaining basis. YZF has adopted a more business-like approach to operations and is actively looking at development and revenue-generating opportunities. Since July 2017, revenues generated by the airport have been retained within the Revolving Fund to pay for all operating and capital expenditures.
Yellowknife Airport Photo Collection
We invite you to take a step back in time and explore our collection of photos showcasing the rich history of YZF.