St. Theresa Point Airport (YST)

St. Theresa Point Airport (IATA: YST, ICAO: CYST) is an essential air facility located in northern Manitoba, Canada, serving the remote, fly-in community of the St. Theresa Point First Nation. The airport functions as a critical lifeline, providing year-round, reliable access for residents, essential services, and the transport of vital goods such as food, mail, and medical supplies. Its importance is magnified by the community's isolation, as it is not connected to the provincial road network except by a seasonal winter road system, making air travel the primary mode of transportation for much of the year.

The airport is situated adjacent to the community on the southwestern shore of Island Lake. For travelers arriving at YST, access to the community is typically arranged via local taxi services or pre-organized pickups. The airport's history is fundamentally tied to the support and development of the St. Theresa Point community, having long served as its main connection to the rest of the province and country. Operations at St. Theresa Point are entirely domestic, with no scheduled international flights. Scheduled passenger and cargo services are provided by regional carriers, primarily Perimeter Aviation and Calm Air, which offer regular flights connecting the community with larger hubs, most notably Winnipeg James Armstrong Richardson International Airport (YWG).

Reflecting its role as a functional outpost, the airport’s facilities are modest and practical. It features a single, small terminal building designed to efficiently process passengers and baggage. Inside, travelers will find basic amenities including check-in counters, a waiting area, and washrooms. There are no restaurants, retail stores, or airline lounges on-site, so visitors should plan accordingly.

For those traveling through St. Theresa Point Airport, it is advisable to arrive approximately 90 minutes before a scheduled departure to allow sufficient time for check-in and security screening, though passengers should always confirm specific timing with their airline. Ground transportation should be booked in advance, as options are limited. Given that flights in this remote northern region can be subject to delays or cancellations due to weather, travelers making onward connections from Winnipeg should build extra time into their itineraries to accommodate potential disruptions.