Nipisi Airport

Primarily economic reasons tied to the oil and gas industry. The airport was a private aerodrome operated by Husky Oil Operations Ltd. (now part of Cenovus Energy) to support its activities in the Nipisi oilfield. Following the 2014-2016 oil price downturn, many energy companies consolidated operations and eliminated non-essential infrastructure to reduce maintenance and operational costs. The airstrip was likely deemed redundant or no longer cost-effective, with personnel and cargo transport shifting to nearby public airports like Wabasca (CEE5) or Slave Lake (CYZH), followed by ground transportation.

The site is an abandoned and unmaintained airstrip. Satellite imagery confirms the runway is still clearly visible but is in a state of disrepair and is being slowly reclaimed by vegetation. There are no significant buildings on the site, only the runway and a small apron/turnaround area. It is located amidst active oil and gas infrastructure (well pads and access roads) but serves no current aviation purpose. The land remains under the control of the energy company that operates the surrounding oilfield.

The airport's significance was purely industrial and logistical. It was not a public airport and had no scheduled commercial service. Its sole purpose was to serve as a private air-access point for the remote Nipisi oilfield. It played a crucial role in the efficient movement of company personnel, specialized technicians, time-sensitive equipment, and emergency response crews directly to the field operations. This bypassed long and often challenging travel on industrial roads. The 4000-foot gravel runway (10/28) was suitable for STOL (Short Take-Off and Landing) aircraft and corporate turboprops commonly used in the resource sector, such as the Beechcraft King Air and de Havilland Twin Otter.

There are no known plans or prospects for reopening Nipisi Airport. Re-establishing the airstrip would require significant investment to clear the runway, regrade the surface, and meet Transport Canada's current standards for certification. Given the industry trend towards using centralized public airports and the high cost of maintaining private aviation infrastructure, it is highly unlikely that the operator would find a business case to reopen the facility.