Fredericton (Forestry Centre) Heliport

The official reason for the closure has not been publicly announced. However, it is widely understood to be the result of operational consolidation and economic efficiency. Helicopter operations were likely consolidated at the nearby Fredericton International Airport (CYFC), which is only 15 km away and offers comprehensive services including fuel, maintenance, hangar space, and instrument approaches. Maintaining a separate, single-purpose heliport was likely deemed redundant and not cost-effective, especially if it required upgrades to meet evolving safety and regulatory standards.

The site is the active Hugh John Flemming Forestry Centre, a major government office complex at 1350 Regent Street. The physical helipad has been removed or repurposed. Satellite imagery shows the likely former location as an open grassy area or part of the complex's grounds, with no remaining aviation markings or infrastructure. The centre itself remains fully operational as the hub for forestry and natural resource administration in the province.

The heliport was strategically located at the Hugh John Flemming Forestry Centre, which serves as the provincial headquarters for the New Brunswick Department of Natural Resources and Energy Development and also houses federal agencies like the Canadian Forest Service. Its primary role was to support government air operations related to natural resource management. Key operations included:
- **Forest Fire Management:** Rapid deployment of helicopters for water bombing (using buckets), transporting initial attack crews, and aerial reconnaissance of fires.
- **Aerial Surveys:** Conducting surveys for forest health monitoring, such as tracking spruce budworm infestations, and mapping forest resources.
- **Wildlife Management:** Used for wildlife surveys, animal tracking (e.g., collaring moose or deer), and transporting biologists to remote areas.
- **Logistical Support:** Providing access to remote research plots, work sites, and supporting search and rescue missions in forested terrain.
It was a vital asset for the province's management of its vast forest resources.

There are no known plans or prospects for reopening the heliport. With government aviation services now efficiently managed from the Fredericton International Airport (CYFC), there is no operational or economic justification to re-establish a separate facility at the Forestry Centre. Reopening is considered highly unlikely.