Pendant d'Orielle Airport

The closure was a direct result of economic shifts and changes in land use. The airstrip was built and operated primarily to support the oil and gas industry, specifically the development of the Pendant d'Oreille Gas Field. As the field matured, operations scaled down, and road infrastructure in the remote region improved, the logistical need for the airstrip diminished. The definitive reason for its permanent closure was the designation of the surrounding land by the Government of Alberta as the Pendant d'Oreille Conserved Land, prioritizing ecological preservation over industrial use.

The site of the former airport is now located within the Pendant d'Oreille Conserved Land, a large area of protected native prairie grassland managed by the Alberta Ministry of Environment and Parks. The faint, unmaintained outlines of the two former gravel runways are still visible via satellite imagery but are being progressively reclaimed by natural vegetation. The land is dedicated to the conservation of biodiversity and grassland ecosystems, with some controlled cattle grazing permitted under lease agreements.

Pendant d'Oreille Airport was a private industrial aerodrome that was historically significant for the energy sector in southern Alberta. Likely established in the mid-20th century, it served as a critical logistical hub for energy companies, such as Amoco Canada, during the exploration and operational phases of the Pendant d'Oreille Gas Field. In a time when the region was very remote with limited ground access, the airport was essential for transporting personnel, urgent supplies, and specialized equipment, thereby enabling the development of one of the province's important natural gas resources.

There are no plans or prospects for reopening the airport. Its location within a provincially protected conservation area makes any future aviation or industrial development extremely unlikely. The land's current designation is for ecological preservation, which is incompatible with the operation of an airport.