Yellowknife (Dec 24/03) - The most important flight of the year will soon pass through the Yellowknife airport.

No, it is not merely a 747 stopover or even a visit from Paul Martin -- Yellowknife airport officials are preparing for a stopover by Santa Claus, says the airport manager.

Michel Lafrance says preparations are underway should Santa require a stopover during his long Christmas Eve flight.

"We're preparing a landing strip along the runway," Lafrance says.

With the airport being located directly on polar and high latitude flight routes, Lafrance says Yellowknife is the perfect stopover for Santa and his reindeer.

"And we are one of the few places left that has a lichen patch for the reindeer to refuel," Lafrance notes.

To ensure Santa finds his way through the Northern darkness, Lafrance says staff are taking extra precautions.

"We will keep the airport lights on -- just in case -- for Santa," he says.

And should the sleigh descend from the night sky Dec. 24, Santa also need not worry about a late-night snack either. "We will have tea and bannock ready for him," Lafrance says with a smile.

"Staff will ensure the sleigh is de-iced for its journey."

Excitement is high as staff prepare for Santa's lightning-quick visit. "We'll have to get him going on his merry way rather quickly," Lafrance says.

Across Canada, NORAD will be tracking Santa's journey, too.

The North American air defence system, jointly run by Canadian and American armed forces, wants to make sure Santa's flight is without incident in these troubled times.

Once Santa leaves the Territories for the rest of the North American portion of his journey, Canadian air force pilots flying CF-18 Hornet fighter jets from 4 Wing Cold Lake, Alta., will escort Santa out of Canadian airspace to continue his journey.

Children wanting to watch Santa's journey on radar can check out the Web site www.noradsanta.org for real time updates and photos of the flight in progress.