โฐ Minimum Connection Times
Domestic โ Domestic
45
minutes
Domestic โ International
90
minutes
Interline Connections
120
minutes
๐ข Terminal Information
Kenora Airport serves as the premier aviation gateway to Ontario's legendary Lake of the Woods region where Hudson's Bay Company established Old Fort Island trading post in 1790, creating the foundation for a community that evolved from fur trading center to gold mining boom town (1890-1891) when 20 mines operated within 24 kilometers of Rat Portage (Kenora's original name). Located 7 kilometers northeast of the city center at 1,344 feet elevation, this upgraded facility operates with a substantial 5,800-foot asphalt runway supporting amphibious aircraft, chartered flights, and specialized services delivering passengers directly to fly-in fishing lodges scattered across the region's 10,000+ pristine lakes and rivers.
The airport features modern terminal infrastructure handling 10,000-15,000 passengers annually, recognized as a 2018 WestJet Innovation & Excellence Award finalist, while operating as a Canada Border Services Agency airport of entry for general aviation aircraft up to 15 passengers. Terminal facilities coordinate seamlessly with charter operators providing amphibious Cessna Caravan services accessing remote locations throughout Lake of the Woods' magnificent expanse of 14,000 islands and 65,000 miles of shoreline, making this legendary 'Walleye Capital of the World' accessible to anglers pursuing trophy walleye, northern pike, lake trout, bass, and muskie.
Operational characteristics center on supporting the tourism economy built around world-class sport fishing where Indigenous peoples sustained themselves for millennia on sturgeon, walleye, and pike before European fur traders arrived in the late 1700s. The facility serves seasonal peaks during fishing tournaments, cultural celebrations, and outdoor recreation activities while maintaining year-round connectivity for the 15,000 residents of this border community positioned on the historic Canadian Pacific Railway route that sparked dramatic growth after 1880s railroad construction.
Strategic importance encompasses preserving aviation access to this historic fur trading crossroads where gold mining produced 75% of the region's 180,000 ounces from local mines, supporting the modern tourism industry generating millions in economic activity through fishing expeditions and wilderness experiences, maintaining critical connectivity for remote First Nations communities throughout northwestern Ontario, and ensuring access to one of North America's most pristine freshwater ecosystems where sustainable fishing practices preserve the legendary walleye populations that have sustained both Indigenous communities and international sport fishing for generations.
๐ Connection Tips
Kenora Airport serves as the premier aviation gateway to Ontario's magnificent Lake of the Woods region, positioned 9.3 kilometers east-northeast of this historic border community at 1,344 feet elevation. Operating with a substantial 5,800-foot asphalt runway and classified as a Canada Border Services Agency airport of entry for general aviation aircraft up to 15 passengers, the facility provides essential access to one of the world's most renowned fishing destinations. Ground transportation connects to Kenora's downtown core, positioned strategically on the historic fur trading route where Hudson's Bay Company established Old Fort Island trading post in 1790, and the region's economy transitioned from early 20th-century gold mining that produced 75% of the area's 180,000 ounces from 13 mines around Shoal Lake.
Lake of the Woods, famously known as the 'Walleye capital of the world,' features 14,000 islands and 65,000 miles of pristine shoreline attracting anglers pursuing walleye, northern pike, lake trout, bass, muskie, and numerous other species year-round. The upgraded terminal handles 10,000-15,000 passengers annually and earned recognition as a finalist for the WestJet Innovation & Excellence Award in 2018, reflecting its importance to regional tourism.
Today's economy thrives on tourism supported by world-class fishing tournaments, cultural celebrations, farmers' markets, and outdoor recreation activities that attract visitors to experience the vast boating expanses and hiking trails throughout this pristine wilderness destination accessible primarily through aviation services. Bearskin Airlines previously operated scheduled service connecting Kenora to Thunder Bay and other regional hubs until May 2024, while the airport continues supporting extensive charter operations and specialized amphibious Cessna Caravan services delivering passengers directly to fly-in fishing lodges scattered across the region's 10,000+ fishable lakes and rivers.
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.
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