Cadotte Airport

The primary reason for closure was its replacement by a new, modern, and superior airport. The old Cadotte Airport (CFQ5) was a short, unpaved gravel strip in very poor condition, requiring significant and costly upgrades to remain safe and functional. Instead of investing in the old site, the federal and provincial governments, along with the Woodland Cree First Nation, funded the construction of the new Woodland Cree Airport (CERC) a few kilometers away. This new airport features a longer, paved runway and modern facilities, better serving the community's needs for reliable medevac, charter, and scheduled passenger services.

The site of the former airport is abandoned. Satellite imagery shows the runway is still visible but is heavily overgrown with grass and shrubs. It is unmaintained and unusable for any aviation purposes. The path of the runway appears to be used informally as a local road or trail for vehicles and ATVs.

The Cadotte Airport was a government-owned gravel airstrip primarily operated by Alberta Sustainable Resource Development (ASRD). Its main historical function was to support seasonal forest fire suppression efforts, serving as a forward base for water bombers and spotter aircraft. It also provided basic air access to the remote community of Cadotte Lake, which is part of the Woodland Cree First Nation. Operations were limited to smaller, STOL (Short Take-Off and Landing) capable aircraft due to the runway's short length (approx. 3,000 ft) and gravel surface. While it served as a vital link, its utility for critical services like medevac was limited by its condition and lack of lighting.

There are zero plans or prospects for reopening the old Cadotte Airport. It has been permanently and intentionally replaced by the Woodland Cree Airport (CERC), which is fully certified by Transport Canada and located approximately 10 km northwest of the old site. The new airport provides far superior capabilities and infrastructure, making the old strip completely redundant.