Cape Dorset Water Aerodrome

The primary reason for the closure was obsolescence following the construction and subsequent upgrades of the land-based Kinngait Airport (IATA: YTE, ICAO: CYTE). Land airports offer significant advantages in the Arctic, including:
- **Year-Round Operation:** They are not subject to seasonal freeze-up, which renders water aerodromes unusable for much of the year.
- **Larger Aircraft:** Gravel runways can accommodate larger, faster, and more economical turboprop aircraft (like the Dash 8 and ATR 42) used for scheduled passenger and cargo services, which is not possible with smaller floatplanes.
- **Reliability:** Land-based operations are less susceptible to weather conditions like high winds and waves that can prevent floatplane operations.

The site of the former aerodrome is the water of Dorset Harbour, located directly in front of the hamlet of Kinngait (formerly Cape Dorset). It is no longer a registered or maintained aerodrome. The body of water is used for local maritime traffic, including fishing boats, personal watercraft, and the annual sealift supply ships. While a floatplane could technically still land on the water, all official, scheduled, and charter air traffic to the community now exclusively uses the Kinngait Airport (CYTE).

Before the establishment of a reliable, all-season airport, the Cape Dorset Water Aerodrome was a critical link for the community during the brief summer months. It served as a destination for float-equipped aircraft, such as the iconic de Havilland Canada DHC-2 Beaver and DHC-3 Otter. These aircraft were the lifeline for the remote settlement, handling operations such as:
- **Mail and Supply Delivery:** Transporting essential goods and mail to the community.
- **Passenger Travel:** Connecting residents and government workers to larger hubs.
- **Economic Activity:** Facilitating the transport of world-renowned Inuit art, which was crucial for the local economy. It allowed art dealers, collectors, and government officials to visit the community.
- **Emergency Services:** Supporting medical evacuations and law enforcement (RCMP) activities.

There are no known plans or prospects to reopen the Cape Dorset Water Aerodrome as an officially registered facility. The community's air transportation needs are fully and more efficiently met by the modern, year-round Kinngait Airport. The economic and logistical case for re-establishing and maintaining a registered water aerodrome is non-existent.