Lourdes-de-Blanc-Sablon Water Aerodrome

The primary reason for closure was logistical and economic obsolescence due to the development of a superior alternative. The nearby Blanc-Sablon Airport (CYBX), an all-weather, land-based airport with a paved runway, offered far more reliable, safer, and higher-capacity service year-round. Air traffic naturally transitioned from seasonal floatplanes operating from the water aerodrome to more robust land-based aircraft, rendering the water facility redundant and commercially non-viable.

The site is no longer used for any aviation activities. The water area at the coordinates (51.409004, -57.201) is now part of the public bay of Blanc-Sablon. It is used for general maritime purposes, including anchorage for local fishing vessels and recreational boats. Any specific shore-based infrastructure that may have supported the aerodrome, such as dedicated docks or ramps, has since been removed, repurposed for marine use, or has fallen into disrepair. The surrounding shoreline is a mix of residential and commercial properties.

Prior to the construction of modern airports and the extension of Route 138 along Quebec's Lower North Shore, water aerodromes like this were a critical lifeline for remote communities. Lourdes-de-Blanc-Sablon Water Aerodrome served as a vital hub for floatplane operations. These aircraft were essential for delivering mail, transporting passengers, conducting medical evacuations, and supplying goods to the local fishing industry and isolated settlements. It played a key role in connecting the community to the rest of Quebec and Newfoundland and Labrador when water and land travel was difficult or impossible.

There are no known plans or prospects for reopening the Lourdes-de-Blanc-Sablon Water Aerodrome. The community's aviation needs are fully and more effectively met by the permanent, government-certified Blanc-Sablon Airport (CYBX), which accommodates scheduled passenger services and charter flights. Re-establishing a water aerodrome would serve no practical purpose and is not considered economically feasible.