Fort Norman Water Aerodrome

The primary reason for closure was redundancy and economic non-viability following the establishment and full operational capacity of the nearby land-based Tulita Airport (IATA: ZFN, ICAO: CYVQ). The land airport provides more reliable, year-round service with larger, faster aircraft (like the Dash 8), which can operate in a wider range of weather conditions. In contrast, the water aerodrome was seasonal (usable only during ice-free months) and limited to smaller floatplanes. As scheduled passenger and cargo services consolidated at the land airport, the demand and economic justification for maintaining an officially registered water aerodrome with dedicated facilities disappeared.

The site is no longer a registered aerodrome with Transport Canada. The physical location is simply a section of the Mackenzie River adjacent to the community of Tulita. Any official infrastructure specifically for the aerodrome, such as designated docks, fueling stations, or windsocks, has been removed. While the river itself remains physically accessible and can be used by private or charter floatplanes for landings and takeoffs (subject to Canadian Aviation Regulations), it holds no official status and offers no dedicated aviation services. All of the community's air transportation needs are now met by the Tulita Airport (CYVQ).

For decades, the water aerodrome on the Mackenzie River was the principal air link for the community of Fort Norman (now Tulita). It was a critical piece of infrastructure in the Canadian North, supporting essential services and economic activity. Operations primarily involved bush planes like the de Havilland Beaver, Otter, and Cessna 185 on floats. The aerodrome was vital for:
- **Community Access:** Providing transportation for residents, mail, and supplies.
- **Resource Exploration:** Supporting oil and gas exploration in the significant Norman Wells region, as well as mineral prospecting throughout the Mackenzie Mountains.
- **Government Services:** Facilitating access for the RCMP, healthcare professionals, and geological survey teams.
- **Tourism:** Serving as a base for charter flights taking tourists to remote fishing and hunting lodges.
It was a classic northern bush flying base, representing an era before the development of extensive all-weather road and airport infrastructure.

There are no known plans or prospects to reopen the facility as an officially registered water aerodrome. The existence of the modern, fully serviced land-based airport makes a dedicated water aerodrome redundant for the community's needs. The significant cost of re-establishing and maintaining facilities to official standards, coupled with the lack of demand, makes reopening economically infeasible.