Pangnirtung looks at new airport
$175-million project would increase freight opportunities, enhance public safety
Karen K. Ho
Northern News Services
Monday, September 14, 2015
PANNIQTUUQ/PANGNIRTUNG
Pangnirtung is looking at a $175-million airport and runway relocation.
A study ordered by the hamlet populated by about 1,500 people during a Aug. 17 council meeting points to the top of a mountain about 10 kilometres from the community as an ideal location for a new runway.
The current runway, about 900 metres long, bisects the community.
"Our airport runway is directly in the centre of the community and we cannot extend the airstrip," said Lena Qappik, council clerk for the hamlet. "It is a danger to the community and the passengers, including the flights that come in."
A cemetery is right across from the current runway, and at the end of it is a deep-water fjord.
Adamee Komoartok, an observer/communicator with Community Aerodrome Radio Stations, has extensive experience in the area and said the current runway is too short for aircraft.
"If something should go wrong, it's a very dangerous location," he said. "People live 200 to 250 feet on both sides of the runway with a high school right there too."
The runway also tends to experience strong, gusting crosswinds, he added.
Qappik said the new runway would allow bigger flights to come in that can hold more freight.
"The flights that are coming in do not bring the whole freight into town," she said. "They have to limit the freight because of the short airstrip. If we get a new airport location, we will be able to get more freight in, more passengers into Pangnirtung and hopefully lower cost of food and lower airfares."
In 2007, Komoartok was on a Twin Otter flight ran through landing scenarios from different directions on the proposed new site.
"There were no obstacles," he said.
The site is fairly flat with a lot of room for a runway and has better wind conditions, he said.
"It would allow our community to grow closer, using the old runway for houses and not be divided," said Komoartok.
Qappik said benefits of the new runway would be allowing more freight to come in, lower food costs, more seat availability for passengers and local jobs created during construction of the access road and runway. The airport would also accommodate the Hercules and AVRO RJ85 crafts.
"I can't estimate on how many jobs but I'm pretty sure they'll need drivers, labourers and anything else that's needed to start on the road going up the mountain," said Qappik.
The project will first need Government of Nunavut approval to go through. From there, the federal government will need to approve funding to make it a reality.
