Fort George Airport

The airport was closed following the relocation of the entire Cree community of Fort George to a new, purpose-built town on the mainland called Chisasibi. This move, which took place between 1978 and 1981, was necessitated by the environmental and social impacts of the massive James Bay Hydroelectric Project. The project altered the flow of the La Grande Rivière, causing significant erosion and threatening the island where the original community and airport were located. A new, modern airport (Chisasibi Airport, IATA: YKU, ICAO: CSU2) was constructed to serve the new community, rendering the old Fort George airport obsolete.

The airport is permanently closed and abandoned. The site is located on what is now known as Fort George Island (or Goyeau Island). Satellite imagery clearly shows the faint outline of the former gravel runway, which is now overgrown and completely unusable for aviation. The former village site is also abandoned, though some members of the Chisasibi community may use the island for traditional hunting, fishing, or seasonal camps. The infrastructure is in a state of decay.

Fort George Airport was the primary air link for the historic Cree First Nation community and the Hudson's Bay Company trading post of Fort George. For decades, it was a vital lifeline, connecting the remote island community to the rest of Quebec and Canada. The airport handled all manner of operations essential for the community's survival and well-being, including scheduled passenger flights, mail delivery, cargo transport of food and supplies, and critical medical evacuation (medevac) flights. It was a key piece of infrastructure in the James Bay region before the construction of the James Bay Road.

There are no plans or prospects for reopening the Fort George Airport. The community it once served has been permanently relocated to Chisasibi, which is well-served by its own modern airport. The original island location is geographically isolated from the current population center and is environmentally less stable. The airport is considered permanently decommissioned.