WABUSH, Newfoundland and Labrador — Flights out of Wabush Airport are set to resume on Wednesday morning after a temporary suspension on Tuesday caused by a lack of firefighting services required by Transport Canada.
Flights Grounded Over Firefighting Service Requirements
Earlier this week, flights carrying more than 19 passengers were unable to land at the Wabush Airport.
The issue arose because the airport did not have the firefighting and crash rescue services needed to meet its newly updated Transport Canada designation.
Transport Canada had reduced firefighting services at the airport in 2020, resulting in a lower operational classification. However, when the agency reinstated a higher designation this week—requiring full firefighting capability—the airport was unable to comply immediately.
MP Philip Earle: “Flights Will Resume Wednesday”
By Tuesday evening, Labrador MP Philip Earle told CBC News that a temporary solution had been reached.
“We will see flights resume at the Wabush Airport on Wednesday,” Earle said.
“This is a very, very important matter to me and to the people in western Labrador, who depend on that airport.”
Earle described the situation as “unfortunate but resolvable”, emphasizing that officials worked quickly to restore service.
Temporary Designation Change
Earle explained that a temporary downgrade in designation was agreed upon, allowing flights to resume while giving time to restore the necessary firefighting capacity.
“That will afford us some time to get the required assets on site,” he said. “We anticipate that that will happen over the next couple weeks.”
This short-term fix enables continued operations while the airport secures the appropriate firefighting resources mandated by Transport Canada.
Flight Suspension Impacts Medical Travel
The suspension caused immediate disruption to passengers — including those traveling for critical medical appointments.
One resident, Amanda Harnum, said her family had been scheduled to fly from Wabush to St. John’s on Tuesday for her daughter’s specialist appointment. Her daughter, who was born with one kidney, had not seen her doctor in over a year.
Unable to fly from Wabush, the family had to drive six hours to Happy Valley–Goose Bay to catch a PAL Airlines flight instead.
“The airport isn’t something that can just shut down when it comes to operations. It’s a necessity to the residents here in Labrador West,” Harnum said.
“This is an essential service, and to take that away — for whatever reason — without notice is not good enough.”
Essential Service for Remote Communities
Earle said he heard from many concerned residents in Labrador West and emphasized how vital Wabush’s air connection is to the region’s daily life and well-being.
“Labrador is a big land. Wabush is a very remote location, and the air service into that community is an essential service,” he said.
“People from those communities travel out for just about everything.”
