1940’s
In 1944, Yellowknife’s first airport was established with a single airstrip constructed by Canadian Pacific Airlines, running parallel to Long Lake. At the time, no road connected the town to the airport, which was 5 km away. Instead, passengers were shuttled by floatplane between the town and the airstrip.
In 1946, the Department of Transportation took over airport operations and developed two gravel runways at the site, which remains the location of the airport today.
1950-80’s
Major improvements began in 1954 when the Department of Transportation paved both runways. As air traffic increased, Yellowknife’s role as a key hub for the territory grew, necessitating further upgrades. A new terminal was built in 1963, followed by the addition of a control tower in 1972. Continued growth in air traffic led to further terminal expansions.
In 1995, the Government of Canada transferred the land, assets, and operations of all Transport Canada (TC) airports in the Northwest Territories (NWT), including Yellowknife Airport (YZF), to the Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT). This transfer included associated staff and resources.
Today, YZF serves as the primary aviation gateway to northern communities and is one of 26 airports in Canada designated as part of the National Airports System (NAS). These airports are considered critical to the country’s air transportation infrastructure.
Recognizing the importance of air transportation, the GNWT established the YZF Revolving Fund on July 1, 2017, to ensure financial sustainability. The airport has since adopted a business-oriented approach, focusing on development and revenue generation. All revenues collected since 2017 have been retained within the fund to support operational and capital expenses.
Looking Ahead
At YZF, we continuously plan for the future—anticipating infrastructure needs, working closely with partners and stakeholders, and strategically investing in upgrades, improvements, and expansions. Our master plan outlines long-term development goals, while the Strategic Plan sets business objectives and performance metrics over a five-year period. Through ongoing projects and initiatives, we are committed to advancing Yellowknife Airport with efficiency and fiscal responsibility.