After facing interruptions for several days, Wabush Airport is set to restart flights on Wednesday, as confirmed by PAL Airlines.
Transport Canada disclosed on Monday that flight operations were halted due to the airport’s failure to meet federal regulations concerning firefighting and rescue capabilities for commercial flights with over 19 passengers. This deficiency arose from a mechanical problem with a specific vehicle.
PAL Airlines announced via social media on Wednesday afternoon that the necessary firefighting equipment for passenger flights has been reinstated. Consequently, flights 921, 922, 833, and 834 to and from the airport will resume operations starting Wednesday.
Passengers affected by the disruptions will receive updated travel details from the airline’s reservations team regarding their flight arrangements.
Before the flights resumed on Wednesday, Labrador’s Member of Parliament expressed frustration over the repeated disruptions at the airport. However, he remained optimistic that the latest issue would be resolved promptly.
Philip Earle, the Labrador MP, voiced his disappointment with the situation, emphasizing that the airport’s operations were paused because both of its mandated fire trucks were out of service due to maintenance and parts failure. He highlighted that the necessary parts had been flown in from Edmonton and arrived in Wabush overnight.
Earle insisted on a review of the incident, stressing the need to address the ongoing frustrations experienced by constituents and ensure a swift resolution to prevent future disruptions.
In the past year, Wabush Airport has encountered various challenges. In October 2025, most airport services were briefly suspended after a federal agency altered the airport’s designation, requiring firefighting services that had been removed by Transport Canada five years earlier. Additionally, extreme weather in December resulted in flight cancellations and stranded passengers.
In January of this year, a notice limiting the airport’s centerline to 90 feet was issued, prohibiting PAL Airlines’ Q 400 aircraft, which require 100 feet, from landing. PAL Airlines coordinated a charter flight to deliver the necessary parts to Wabush, aiming to resume commercial service promptly upon the airport’s readiness.
The situation at Wabush Airport has raised concerns among advocates for Safer Airports in Canada, particularly regarding the emergency response capability at Canadian airports in the event of air traffic disasters. They advocate for enhanced resources, maintenance plans, on-site mechanics for emergency repairs, and improved firefighting equipment to bolster emergency preparedness.
Chris Bussey, co-founder and chair of Advocates for Safer Airports in Canada, emphasized the importance of proper emergency response measures at airports and highlighted ongoing discussions with stakeholders, politicians, and pilot associations to address deficiencies in emergency response readiness.
Download the free CBC News app to receive push alerts for CBC Newfoundland and Labrador and sign up for the daily headlines newsletter. Visit our landing page for more information.
