Flagg Cove Water Aerodrome

The closure was primarily due to economic and operational obsolescence. The establishment and continued operation of the nearby land-based Grand Manan Airport (CCN2) provided a more reliable, all-weather, and versatile option for air travel to the island. Land-based airports can accommodate a wider variety of aircraft, operate at night and in lower visibility, and are not affected by sea conditions like tides, waves, or winter ice, which would have limited seaplane operations. This shift in infrastructure made a dedicated water aerodrome commercially unviable and redundant.

The site of the former water aerodrome is now the active and busy Flagg Cove harbour in North Head. The area is the primary marine transportation hub for the island, dominated by the Coastal Transport ferry terminal for the service to Blacks Harbour. The cove is heavily used by the local fishing fleet, aquaculture operations, and other commercial and recreational marine traffic. There are no visible remnants or dedicated infrastructure of the former seaplane base.

Flagg Cove Water Aerodrome was an important early aviation link for the remote island community of Grand Manan. Before the land airport became the primary hub, seaplanes operating from Flagg Cove provided essential services, including passenger transport, mail delivery, medical flights, and light cargo transport to and from the mainland (likely destinations such as St. Andrews or Saint John, NB). It played a vital role in connecting the island, supporting its fishing industry, and facilitating tourism during its active years.

There are no known plans or prospects for reopening the Flagg Cove Water Aerodrome. The island's aviation needs are fully served by the Grand Manan Airport (CCN2). Furthermore, the high volume of ferry and fishing vessel traffic in the confined space of Flagg Cove would present significant safety and logistical challenges for any potential seaplane operations, making a reopening highly improbable.