โฐ Minimum Connection Times
Domestic โ Domestic
45
minutes
Domestic โ International
90
minutes
Interline Connections
120
minutes
๐ข Terminal Information
Airport serving Old Crow.
๐ Connection Tips
Old Crow Airport serves the remote Gwich'in First Nation community of Old Crow in Canada's far northern Yukon Territory, representing the northernmost community in the Yukon and one of Canada's most isolated settlements. This Arctic airport operates through Air Canada connections, providing absolutely essential connectivity for the Gwich'in people while supporting traditional subsistence activities, community services, and cultural preservation in this pristine Arctic environment. The airport serves a community deeply connected to traditional caribou hunting, fishing, and land-based activities that define Gwich'in culture and survival in the Arctic. Weather conditions in this extreme northern location present some of the most challenging aviation conditions in North America. Winter brings brutal cold with temperatures often plunging below -50ยฐC, fierce Arctic winds, heavy snow, and months of complete polar darkness that can shut down operations entirely. Spring offers gradually improving conditions but includes rapid weather changes and challenging operational requirements. Summer provides the primary flying window with continuous daylight, though sudden Arctic storms, wildlife activity, and operational challenges persist throughout the brief season. Ground transportation is extremely limited, consisting of community vehicles, boats during the brief ice-free period on the Porcupine River, snowmobiles, and traditional transportation methods essential to Gwich'in lifestyle. The terminal building is basic but vital, engineered to withstand extreme Arctic conditions while serving the essential transportation needs of this traditional community. Security procedures are minimal given the community size and remote location, though standard identification remains required. Flight schedules are entirely dependent on extreme Arctic weather conditions and community needs, requiring maximum flexibility in all travel arrangements. Medical facilities are limited to basic community health services, with serious medical emergencies requiring immediate evacuation to Whitehorse or other southern centers. The airport serves as an absolutely critical lifeline for this traditional Gwich'in community in Canada's pristine Arctic wilderness.
โฐ Minimum Connection Times
Domestic โ Domestic
30
minutes
Domestic โ International
60
minutes
Interline Connections
90
minutes
๐ข Terminal Information
Great Bear Lake Airport (DAS), also identified by its ICAO code CFF4, is a specialized private aviation facility located on the remote shores of Great Bear Lake in the Northwest Territories, Canada. Situated on the Dease Arm of the lake, the airport is primarily owned and operated by Plummer's Great Bear Lake Lodge, one of the world's premier destinations for trophy lake trout fishing. As a private facility, the airport serves as the exclusive entry point for guests arriving on all-inclusive fly-in adventures, bypassing the need for long and difficult overland travel through the Arctic wilderness.
The airport's physical infrastructure is centered around a single well-maintained gravel runway that measures approximately 1,584 meters (5,200 feet) in length. This substantial runway is capable of accommodating large regional turboprops and specialized bush planes, making it one of the most capable private strips in the northern territories. The airfield is also uniquely positioned to support amphibious operations, frequently serving as a base for Turbine Otter float planes that transport guests to even more remote fishing outposts across the vast expanse of the lake.
While the airport does not feature a traditional public passenger terminal, the 'arrival experience' is seamlessly integrated into the operations of Plummer's Lodge. Arriving guests are typically met on the runway by lodge staff and transported a short distance to the main clubhouse, which functions as the central hub for check-in, dining, and guest services. The lodge facilities provide a high level of comfort in a rugged environment, including a gift shop, internet access, and professional lounge areas, offering a stark contrast to the surrounding Arctic tundra.
Strategically, DAS is an essential node for the high-end tourism industry in the Northwest Territories. It facilitates the transport of specialized technical equipment, fresh gourmet supplies, and international travelers from around the globe. The approach to the runway offers spectacular views of the crystal-clear waters of Great Bear Lake and the surrounding pristine wilderness. Due to its private and remote status, all flight operations must be coordinated directly with the lodge management, and there are no public refueling or maintenance services available for transient aircraft.
๐ Connection Tips
Great Bear Lake Airport (DAS) is a private aviation facility on the remote Dease Arm of Great Bear Lake, Canada. It is primarily operated by Plummerโs Great Bear Lake Lodge, and there are no scheduled public commercial services; all arrivals are part of fly-in fishing and wilderness packages. Your primary connection point will almost always be Yellowknife Airport (YZF), from where the lodge coordinates charters using regional turboprops or bush planes like the Turbine Otter. A critical tip: guests are usually required to arrive in Yellowknife at least one day before their flight to the lodge to account for Arctic weather delays. Upon landing at the 5,200-foot gravel runway at DAS, you will be met by lodge staff and transported by boat or light vehicle to the clubhouse. There is no public terminal, car rentals, or taxis; all transport is provided by the lodge. For more remote outposts, the airport serves as a base for floatplane transfers. Packing is restricted; use soft-sided duffel bags to fit in small aircraft cargo pods. Weather is the most significant factor; fog, high winds, and early-season ice can lead to multi-day delays, so building a flexible 'buffer' into your return travel from Yellowknife is essential. While the lodge provides satellite internet, mobile coverage is non-existent at the airstrip. Self-sufficiency for personal needs is required once you leave Yellowknife.
โ Back to Old Crow Airport