The Yellowknife Airport, closed to commercial flights since the wildfire evacuation, is expected to reopen on Wednesday, Sept. 6, according to Jeffrey Edison, acting assistant deputy minister with the Department of Infrastructure.
The return flights for evacuees will continue beyond Wednesday, and the department has also been working with staff, companies and organizations to prepare for the re-establishment of commercial flights, said Edison.
However, reopening Wednesday is subject to several variables, such as the availability of airport and contract staff and security considerations.
SA国际影视传媒淎s an example on WednesdaySA国际影视传媒� thereSA国际影视传媒檚 only one commercial flight scheduled and thatSA国际影视传媒檚 not till 5 p.m. on Wednesday afternoon,SA国际影视传媒� said Edison, SA国际影视传媒淪o that in itself has allowed us to say we will remove the restrictions and weSA国际影视传媒檒l consider (the airport) open.SA国际影视传媒�
Edison also said that the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority (CATSA) has given an exemption for the NWT evacuation flights, whereby people can depart without being screened, but that exemption will not apply for commercial flights.
SA国际影视传媒淲e need the CATSA security people in place. We do have some staff already there. We have staff that are flying in today. We have more staff arriving tomorrow,SA国际影视传媒� he said on Monday. SA国际影视传媒淲e should be in good shape, and they say that theySA国际影视传媒檒l be ready to go Wednesday at noon.SA国际影视传媒�
Air Canada informed SA国际影视传媒 that it has been in contact with authorities throughout the wildfire crisis.
SA国际影视传媒淲e are currently finalizing the plan to help people return home, taking into account the current need for airlift to the city and our existing capacities,SA国际影视传媒� Air Canada stated. SA国际影视传媒淲e are also making sure that the prices will be under control and will not vary with the sudden surge in demand.SA国际影视传媒�
The airline added that itSA国际影视传媒檚 in discussions with the GNWT to ensure essential workers can return ahead of YellowknifeSA国际影视传媒檚 official reopening.
According to Tami Johnson, communications manager with the GNWT Department of Infrastructure, essential staff and companies relevant to repatriation flights and/or resuming commercial operations have been added to the SA国际影视传媒渆ssential list,SA国际影视传媒� and workers are reportedly making their way back to Yellowknife.
SA国际影视传媒淵ellowknife Airport retained its operational workforce throughout the pandemic and has remained functional throughout in support the wildfire activities,SA国际影视传媒� said Johnson. SA国际影视传媒淎irfield maintenance and electrical staff continued to maintain the airfield and a full staff of air rescue firefighters continue to be on site.SA国际影视传媒�
