Iqaluit airport construction could impact international flights

Construction on Iqaluit's runway could affect international flights, but there should be little impact on travellers or cargo, according to the airport manager.

Work started on Monday to finish rebuilding and paving the final third of the runway, installing new airfield lighting and expanding the apron the area where aircraft are parked, unloaded or loaded and refueled. Last summer, the first two-thirds of the runway were rebuilt and repaved as part of the $300 million airport improvement project, which includes a new terminal.

For the next three weeks, the airport's one runway will be shut down overnight only medevac flights will be allowed to take off and land.

"We have one runway here and in order to get underneath it and fix the issues with it, you have to close it," said John Hawkins, Iqaluit's airport manager.

The shutdown couldalso impact international carriers that rely on Iqaluit as a stopover for refueling and in case of emergencies on long-haul intercontinental trips, like when a passenger suffered a heart attackon a Moscow to Los Angeles flight.

Hawkins says airlines may have to carry more fuel or take a slightly different route.

"There's a bit of inconvenience," he said.

Smooth ride for passengers, cargo

Last summer's runway construction caused concerns about possible cargo delays. For 30 days, Cargojet 767 aircraft could not land because the runway was too narrow.

"As far as we know all the aircraft that currently come in here will still be able to land," said Hawkins.

He also said construction should not have a major impact on travellers.

"Depending on what part of the apron they're working on, you might get a little bit more scenic route than you're used to taking. You might not get the most direct route to the runway. But it's just a little taxi past a different area of the airport," said Hawkins.

Hawkins estimates half the cost of the airport improvement project is going into the runway repairs.

The repairs are expected to wrap up by the end of August.