Catalina Harbour Water Aerodrome

Catalina, CA 🇨🇦 Closed Airport

ICAO

CA-0695

IATA

-

Elevation

- ft

Region

CA-NL

Local Time

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Airport Information

GPS Code: Not available

Local Code: Not available

Location: 48.508475° N, -53.07021° E

Continent: NA

Type: Closed Airport

Keywords: DQ4 DQ4

Terminal Information Not Available
Terminal arrivals and departures are only available for airports with scheduled commercial service and IATA codes.

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Airport Information

Airport Closure Information

Last updated: Jul 24, 2025
Closure Date

The exact date of closure is not publicly documented. The aerodrome identifier CA-0695 has been delisted from official Canadian aviation publications like the Nav Canada Water Aerodrome Supplement. This type of delisting for small, private aerodromes typically occurs when the registration is no longer maintained by the operator. It is estimated to have closed in the late 20th or early 21st century.

Reason for Closure

The closure was due to economic reasons and a decline in operational necessity. Key factors include:
1. **Improved Ground Transportation:** The development and paving of roads on the Bonavista Peninsula, including Route 230, provided reliable all-season access, diminishing the need for seaplane services for passenger and cargo transport.
2. **Decline in Seaplane Usage:** The general trend in Canadian aviation saw a shift from seaplanes to more efficient land-based aircraft for regional transport.
3. **Consolidation of Air Services:** Air traffic in the region consolidated at larger, better-equipped land airports like Clarenville Airport (CCZ3) and St. John's International Airport (CYYT).
There is no evidence of closure due to a specific accident or military conversion.

Current Status

The site of the former water aerodrome is Catalina Harbour. The harbour is an active marine port and a central part of the community, which is now part of the town of Trinity Bay North. It is heavily used by the local commercial fishing fleet and for recreational boating. Any specific aviation-related infrastructure, such as a dedicated dock, ramp, or mooring buoys, has been removed or repurposed. The location has fully reverted to its primary maritime use.

Historical Significance

Catalina Harbour Water Aerodrome was a local general aviation facility catering to seaplanes and floatplanes. Its significance was rooted in connecting the historic fishing town of Catalina with other coastal communities, remote outports, and inland camps, particularly before the area's road network was fully developed. Operations would have included private recreational flying and charter/air taxi services for transporting people, mail, and essential supplies. Along with many similar small water aerodromes, it was part of the vital 'bush flying' network that supported the economy and social fabric of rural Newfoundland and Labrador.

Reopening Prospects

There are no known plans or prospects for reopening Catalina Harbour Water Aerodrome as a registered aviation facility. The economic and logistical factors that led to its original closure remain valid. The demand for a dedicated water aerodrome in Catalina is negligible due to the excellent road access and the proximity of regional land-based airports. While it is physically possible for a seaplane to land in the harbour (subject to maritime traffic and Transport Canada regulations), there is no commercial or community-driven initiative to re-establish an official aerodrome.

Nearby Airports

Bonavista Airport
CA-0055
Little Catalina, CA
Closed Airport
~7 km away
Clarenville Airport
CCZ3
Clarenville, CA
Small Airport
~68 km away
Thorburn Lake Seaplane Base
CCW5
Thorburn Lake, CA
Seaplane Base
~84 km away
Harbour Grace Airport
CHG2
Harbour Grace, CA
Small Airport
~93 km away
Bell Island Airport
CCV4
Bell Island, CA
Small Airport
~97 km away
Distances are approximate and calculated as straight-line distances.

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