Gravel runway could lead to bumpy ride for Cambridge Bay, officials worry – Nunatsiaq News
Dec 9, 2022
Kugluktuk, though, sees benefits as both communities plan for airport service change from jets to smaller planes
Two Nunavut communities that are set to lose jet service next year are taking different approaches to the change.
Cambridge Bay and Kugluktuk will be serviced by ATR 42-500 propeller planes next spring because Canadian North announced it is retiring its last aging Boeing 737-200 jet on April 1, 2023. Both communities have gravel runways at their airports and the 737-200 was capable of landing on that surface.
Kugluktuk Mayor Simon Kuliktana said in an interview Thursday that while the community is disappointed to lose jet service, it welcomes the move to ATR prop planes for their reliability in landing during bad weather.
In Cambridge Bay, however, business and elected leaders are concerned about the change in service’s potential impact on economic growth and development.
