Fort Mackay Water Aerodrome

The closure was due to economic and infrastructural obsolescence. The construction of the large, all-weather Fort Mackay/Firebag Airport (CYFI) to serve the oil sands industry, coupled with major improvements to the regional road network (Highway 63), provided more reliable, year-round transportation. This eliminated the demand for a dedicated seaplane base, which was seasonal and had lower capacity.

The site is no longer a registered or operational aerodrome. The specific coordinates on the Athabasca River do not show any remaining dedicated aviation infrastructure like seaplane docks, ramps, or terminals. The riverbank has reverted to general community use, including recreational boat launches. The area is dominated by the industrial footprint of the surrounding oil sands operations.

Historically, the water aerodrome on the Athabasca River was a critical transportation hub for the remote community of Fort Mackay and the nascent oil sands industry. Before the development of extensive road and airport infrastructure, floatplanes were the primary means of transporting people, mail, medical supplies, and equipment to and from the region. It was an essential base for charter operators flying iconic Canadian bush planes like the de Havilland Beaver and Otter, connecting Fort Mackay to Fort McMurray and other remote sites.

There are no known plans or prospects for reopening a registered water aerodrome at this location. The comprehensive air services provided by Fort Mackay/Firebag Airport (CYFI) and the larger Fort McMurray International Airport (CYMM) fully meet the region's current and foreseeable aviation needs, making a dedicated seaplane base redundant.