Home page

Text size

E-mail this page

KUGAARUK/PELLY BAY
The Hamlet of Kugaaruk would like Canadian North to offer jet service to its community but a company official said the airport doesn't have what it takes.

Deputy mayor Canute Krejunark moved a motion during the Kitikmeot mayors meeting in Cambridge Bay, from Sept. 11 to 13, calling on Nunavut Airports to resolve any issue preventing Canadian North from providing jet service to the community.

Krejunark said the added flights would help the community get fresh and frozen food. He said he understands the runway is too narrow to get jet service.

"I wish to have a 737 back to the community because once a week ... it's nice to have it because it's a big plane and it's fast. It's good for the fresh food and the frozen stuff," he said.

Laval St. Germain, director of flight operations at Canadian North, said the issue actually has to do with the way the airport is certified.

"It's a little bit more complicated than the width of the runway. It has to also do with the approach lighting system. The approach lighting system is not designed for a airplane as big as a Boeing 737. It's designed for smaller airplanes," said St. Germain. "If we were able to have the approach lighting system changed to support a larger aircraft, then we could work around the other issues and we could basically get a permission from Transport Canada to operate in there."

He added Canadian North is allowed to fly into Kugaaruk on a charter basis only, not as a regular-scheduled flight.

St. Germain said the company has had discussions with Nunavut Airports on the issue but, months later, Canadian North is still waiting for an answer.

The Government of Nunavut declined to comment at this time.

We welcome your opinions. Click here to e-mail a letter to the editor.