Zama Lake Airport

Replacement and Redundancy. The primary reason for the closure of the old Zama Lake Airport was the construction and commissioning of a new, superior airport nearby: Zama Airport (IATA: ZMA, ICAO: CFT9). The new airport, operated by oil and gas company Apache Canada (now a subsidiary of Paramount Resources), features a longer, paved runway (4,507 ft) with modern lighting systems (ARCAL), making it capable of handling larger aircraft more safely and reliably in all weather conditions. The old gravel strip became obsolete and economically unviable to maintain once the new facility was fully operational, leading to the consolidation of all regional air traffic at CFT9.

The site is abandoned. As of the latest satellite imagery, the physical runway of the old Zama Lake Airport is still clearly visible as a gravel/dirt strip just north of the Zama City townsite. However, it is unmaintained, with vegetation beginning to encroach on its surface. There are no remaining airport buildings, lighting, or navigational aids at the site. It is not used for any formal aviation or commercial purposes and is considered permanently closed and unusable for aircraft.

The Zama Lake Airport was a critical piece of infrastructure for the development of the Zama Lake oil and gas fields, a remote and significant hydrocarbon-producing area in northwestern Alberta. Established to serve the burgeoning industry, its primary role was logistical support. It handled regular charter flights transporting workers, executives, and technicians to and from the remote sites. It was also used for moving essential equipment, supplies, and for medical and other emergency evacuations. The airport primarily served smaller charter aircraft, such as the Beechcraft King Air, de Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter, and various piston-engine planes, which were essential for connecting the isolated community and industrial operations with major centers like Grande Prairie and Edmonton.

Effectively zero. There are no known plans or prospects for reopening the old Zama Lake Airport. The existence of the modern, well-maintained, and actively operated Zama Airport (CFT9) makes the old airstrip completely redundant. All regional air service needs for the community and the oil and gas industry are fully met by the new airport. Re-investing in the old site would serve no practical or economic purpose.