Bay d'Espoir Airport

The closure was due to economic and logistical reasons. The airstrip was built almost exclusively to support the construction and operation of the Bay d'Espoir Hydroelectric Generating Station. Once the major construction phases of the hydro project were completed in the 1970s and reliable, all-weather road access was established via Route 360 (the Bay d'Espoir Highway), the need for a dedicated airstrip diminished. The cost of maintenance, staffing, and keeping the runway operational was no longer justifiable for its limited use, leading its owner/operator, Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro, to decommission it.

The airport is abandoned and non-operational. Satellite imagery of the coordinates (47.958261, -55.854492) clearly shows the outline of the former runway. However, the surface is completely overgrown with grass, weeds, and small shrubs, making it unusable for any type of aircraft. There are no visible markings, and the facility appears to be slowly being reclaimed by the surrounding wilderness. There is no indication that the site has been repurposed for any other use.

The Bay d'Espoir Airport was critically important during the construction of the massive Bay d'Espoir Hydroelectric project, which began in the 1960s. In this remote part of Newfoundland, the 3000-foot gravel airstrip was the primary lifeline for transporting engineers, specialized personnel, time-sensitive equipment, and supplies. It was also essential for medical evacuations for the large workforce and for the residents of the purpose-built town of St. Veronica's. The airport primarily handled charter aircraft and corporate planes supporting the hydro development, playing a vital role in the successful completion of one of the province's most significant industrial projects.

There are no known plans, proposals, or prospects for reopening the Bay d'Espoir Airport. The significant cost required to clear the land, rebuild the runway, and certify the facility to modern aviation standards is prohibitive. With a robust road network now serving the community and the hydro station, there is no economic or logistical driver that would warrant the airport's revival. Its reopening is considered highly improbable.