Little Red River Airport

The airport was closed because it was replaced by a new, modern facility. The old airstrip (CA-0858) was outdated, had a gravel surface, and was too short to safely accommodate the larger, more modern aircraft required for reliable medevac, passenger, and cargo services for the remote community of Fox Lake. The Government of Alberta and the Government of Canada jointly funded the new Fox Lake Airport (CYFX) to meet modern aviation standards, making the old airport redundant.

The site is completely abandoned and non-operational. High-resolution satellite imagery shows a clearly defined but deteriorating, unmaintained runway that is being slowly reclaimed by the surrounding boreal forest. There is no remaining infrastructure such as buildings or lighting, and the site is not used for any other purpose.

The Little Red River Airport was the original air link and a critical lifeline for the isolated First Nation community of Fox Lake, a part of the Little Red River Cree Nation. For decades, it was the primary means for urgent medical evacuations (medevac), the transportation of essential supplies, mail, and personnel. The airport primarily handled smaller charter and bush planes (e.g., Cessna Caravan, DHC-6 Twin Otter) capable of operating from a short, unpaved runway. Its operation was fundamental to the health, safety, and logistical support of the community's residents, connecting them to regional centers like Fort Vermilion and High Level.

There are no plans or prospects for reopening this airport. Its function has been entirely and permanently superseded by the modern Fox Lake Airport (CYFX), which is located just a few kilometers to the east. The new airport features a longer, paved runway, modern lighting, and navigation aids, and fully serves the community's current and future aviation needs. Reopening the old, obsolete strip would be redundant and economically unjustifiable.