The NWT saw 77,788 aircraft movements in 2023, according to the airports that Statistics Canada tracks. That reflects a 4.1 per cent decrease from the 81,117 take offs and landings logged in 2022.

However, the number of passengers grew to 687,381 in 2023, an 11.8 per cent increase over 615,086 passengers in 2023, indicating fuller flights. July brought the most activity with 8,499 aircraft movements across the territory. Despite the wildfire evacuations in numerous communities in the southern NWT last August, the figures from that month held strong at 8,478, no doubt boosted by aircraft involved in firefighting efforts.

In Yellowknife, there were 53,519 take offs and landings in 2023, a 21.7 per cent increase compared to 2022. Norman Wells experienced an even larger increase with 9,282 aircraft movements in 2023, which signified an approximate 39.3 per cent rise in activity compared to 6,663 take offs and landings in 2022, although that figure wasn't precise due to incomplete reporting during a couple of months.

Inuvik's jump in activity was a little more modest at 12.3 per cent, to 10,086 in 2023 compared to 8,978 the year prior. Hay River's 4,901 aircraft movements last year were a 9.9 per cent reduction from the 5,441 take offs and landings logged in 2022. Meanwhile, no data was available from Fort Smith last year.

Statistics Canada's figures from 2022 indicated 5,057 aircraft movements in the South Slave community. The first couple of months of 2024 at the NWT's busiest airport brought an upswing compared to 2023 with January showing 3,359 take offs and landings and February coming in at 4,074. The previous year, January stood at 3,286 while February came in at 3,161.

Inuvik runway extension In December

NAV Canada released a brief update on construction activity to extend the runway at Inuvik's Mike Zubko Airport by 914 metres (3,000 feet). Both ends of the runway will be paved an additional 457 metres (1,500 feet) to lengthen the runway to a total of 2,743 metres (9,000 feet). There will also be drainage upgrades, improvements to the taxiway and apron maintenance. The Department of National Defence is putting $230 million towards the initiative. The anticipated completion date is Nov. 25, 2027, according to NAV Canada.

Baggage fees take off

Canadian North jacked up the rate it charges for second and subsequent checked bags in late May. The rate for a second bag rose to $86.25 while the charge for third bags is $138. Bags weighing in excess of 22.7 kg (50 lbs.) now cost $172.50. Passengers can check a maximum of three bags, although if the flight is full, second and third bags will be transported on another flight. Canadian North remains one of the shrinking number of airlines in the country to offer no charge for the first checked bag. The fee for the second bag is waived for those paying for the highest level of airfare.

Fact file

Fact file