โฐ Minimum Connection Times
Domestic โ Domestic
45
minutes
Domestic โ International
90
minutes
Interline Connections
120
minutes
๐ข Terminal Information
Portage-la-Prairie / Southport Airport serves Manitoba's wheat heartland from the historic RCAF Station opened December 1940 for Commonwealth Air Training Plan operations that trained thousands of Allied pilots during World War II, initially delayed when construction problems forced No. 14 Elementary Flying Training School to establish at Winnipeg's Stevenson Field before moving here December 4, 1940. Built by Claydon Construction for $450,000 under Assistant Engineer E.H. Fleishman, this facility operated 25 de Havilland Tiger Moths through Central Manitoba Flying Training School Limitedโa Winnipeg Flying Club charterโuntil July 3, 1942, when operations transferred to Assiniboia allowing No. 7 Air Observers School to expand across the entire site.
The airport features infrastructure evolved from wartime facilities including the original double-hangar (224 x 160 feet), standard hangar, and twelve buildings supporting AOS training where pupils underwent 12-week regimens in air navigation, aerial photography, reconnaissance, observation, mapping, and description beginning April 28, 1941. Terminal facilities now serve Southport Aerospace Centre Inc.'s commercial-industrial operations after military cutbacks closed CFB Portage la Prairie in September 1992, transforming from NATO pilot training center (1950s) through Canadian Forces base (1966) to modern civilian aerospace hub.
Operational characteristics center on diverse aviation activities from agricultural operations supporting surrounding wheat farms to aerospace training and commercial services, utilizing the strategic location in Manitoba's agricultural corridor where prairie wheat production sustains the regional economy. The facility handles general aviation, charter operations, aerospace education through 3CFFTS (3 Canadian Forces Flying Training School) contract training, and industrial operations supporting both agricultural and aerospace sectors throughout south-central Manitoba.
Strategic importance encompasses preserving the legacy of Commonwealth Air Training Plan operations that made Canada the 'Aerodrome of Democracy' training 131,553 aircrew including 49,808 pilots from Britain, Australia, New Zealand, and Allied nations, maintaining aviation connectivity for Portage la Prairie's 13,000 residents in Manitoba's agricultural heartland, supporting modern aerospace industry development through Southport Aerospace Centre's transformation of military infrastructure for civilian innovation, and honoring the memory of young airmen who trained here before facing combat skies over Europe where many never returned to see Manitoba's golden wheat fields again.
๐ Connection Tips
Portage la Prairie Southport Airport operates as a major commercial-industrial aviation center in Manitoba, built on the foundation of the former Canadian Forces Base Portage la Prairie. The airport's strategic location between Winnipeg and Saskatchewan makes it ideal for fuel stops and training operations. The facility's transition from military to civilian use maintains sophisticated infrastructure supporting flight training, cargo operations, and general aviation activities. Specific apron management requires careful attention: no itinerant aircraft on Apron I, with itinerant aircraft parking south of Hangar 5 on Apron II, while jet and large aircraft use the concrete pad on Apron II's south side.
The airport serves at 884 feet elevation within the Winnipeg Flight Information Region, requiring coordination with Winnipeg Center for traffic management. The facility features four runways (2/20, 9/27, 13L/31R, and 13R/31L) with Runway 09/27 weight-restricted to 15,500 pounds, providing versatility for various aircraft operations. Industrial tenants provide maintenance, avionics, and specialized aviation services. Ground transportation to Portage la Prairie requires advance planning, with rental cars and taxi services available but limited on weekends.
Light aircraft utilize tie-downs on Apron II's north side. Weather planning relies on Winnipeg James Armstrong Richardson International Airport METAR, located 40 nautical miles away, due to the absence of local weather reporting. Southport Aerospace Centre Inc. manages the airport with operational hours 14-24Z excluding holidays, offering overtime service by NOTAM. Winter operations require careful planning due to Manitoba's harsh conditions, with snow removal prioritized on active runways based on operational requirements.
โฐ Minimum Connection Times
Domestic โ Domestic
45
minutes
Domestic โ International
90
minutes
Interline Connections
60
minutes
๐ข Terminal Information
Conklin (Leismer) Airport (CFM), also identified by its ICAO code CET2, is a registered aerodrome located in Alberta, Canada. This airport plays a crucial role in supporting the region's oil and gas industry, particularly for operations related to the Leismer oil sands project. Primarily serving charter and private flights, it facilitates the transport of personnel and supplies to and from remote work sites, contributing significantly to the logistical network of Northern Alberta's energy sector.
As a small airport without scheduled commercial service, CFM does not feature a traditional passenger terminal with extensive retail or dining options. However, it does operate a Fixed-Base Operator (FBO) named Leismer Aerodrome Ltd., which provides essential amenities and services. These FBO services typically include a pilot lounge, a flight planning area, and potentially basic comforts like free coffee. While detailed specifics on passenger facilities are limited, the focus is on efficient processing and support for general and corporate aviation movements.
Operational aspects at Conklin (Leismer) Airport include a paved runway, designated 09/27, measuring 5251 feet in length, equipped with an Omni-Directional Approach Lighting System. Fuel (JA-1) is available on-site. The airport operates under Prior Permission Required (PPR) conditions, meaning users must obtain permission before landing. Communication is managed via an Aerodrome Traffic Frequency (ATF) / UNICOM, and a Peripheral Station (PAL) Edmonton Center frequency. These operational details highlight its role as a specialized aviation facility catering to the specific needs of the region's industrial activities.
๐ Connection Tips
Conklin (Leismer) Airport (CFM) is a private industrial aerodrome rather than a public passenger airport, so connection planning here belongs entirely in the realm of company logistics. If your trip involves CFM, the practical hub is Edmonton or Calgary, and the final movement to Leismer is a controlled charter or project flight, not a normal airline transfer. That means no meaningful airline-style recovery exists at the airfield itself if timing changes.
The main implication is simple: protect the commercial itinerary at YEG or YYC and treat the Conklin segment as the last, highly specific movement of the day. If a worker transfer, contractor rotation, or project charter is involved, confirm the departure details through the operations team rather than assuming public flight patterns or airport services. This is a site-support airfield, so the schedule is driven by project needs, not by general passenger convenience.
On arrival, the airport process is part of corporate access control, not casual landside movement. You should already know who is meeting you, what transport is taking you to camp or site, and how the plan changes if the inbound airline is late. CFM works best when the whole trip is stitched together before departure: commercial hub protected, company charter confirmed, local transfer assigned, and enough buffer in Alberta that a late inbound does not break the only workable connection to the project airfield.
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