Gift Lake Airport

The closure was most likely due to a combination of economic factors and declining operational need. As a small, unpaved airstrip serving a remote community, its maintenance costs likely became unjustifiable as road access improved (via Alberta Highway 750). Air services for the region were likely consolidated at the larger, better-equipped High Prairie Airport (CZHP), located about 60 km south, making the rudimentary Gift Lake strip redundant.

The airport site is abandoned and derelict. Satellite imagery confirms the runway outline is still visible but is completely overgrown with grass and shrubs, rendering it unusable for any aviation activity. There are no remaining buildings or infrastructure on the site. The land appears to be unused and is slowly being reclaimed by nature.

The airport's significance was primarily local, serving as a vital transportation link for the remote Gift Lake Métis Settlement. When active, it handled light aircraft operations for charter services, medical evacuations (medevac), delivery of supplies, and general aviation. Some historical records indicate it was used by Provincial Forestry services, suggesting it played a role in supporting forest fire patrols and other governmental activities in the region. It operated as a basic, visual flight rules (VFR) aerodrome with a single gravel/dirt runway.

There are no known plans or prospects for reopening Gift Lake Airport. The community has reliable ground transportation, and regional air needs are met by other airports. The significant cost required to clear, restore, and potentially certify the airstrip for modern use makes its revival highly improbable. It is considered permanently closed.