Wawa Airport Explained
Wawa Airport is a registered airport located 1.7NM south southwest of Wawa, Ontario, Canada. The airport serves chartered passenger flights, general aviation, and air ambulance (MEDEVAC).
History
The idea to convert the already existing gravel Algoma Ore mine airstrip into an airport was proposed in 1968 by the Wawa Chamber of Commerce. The project had funding issues leading up to the development of the airport. The Michipicoten Township Council expected the Ontario Government to pay for the total cost of the airport, but they had only paid 50% of the estimated cost, relying on the town council to fundraise money locally.[2] The licensing for the airstrip was tentatively approved for of the available on May 26, 1969, by the Canada Department of Transport, along with setting aside $1 million for the development of the project, relieving funding issues. Only 3,300 feet were issued a license due to nearby rocks and trees making a part of the airstrip unsafe.[3]
On October 1, 1974, Michipicoten Township Council passed a resolution to expand the runway from the licensed to a minimum of .[4]
Although commercial flights started flying in and out of the airport on July 17, 1975, the airport officially opened on August 11 by Premier Bill Davis. The airport originally served daily passenger flights to Sault Ste. Marie, Thunder Bay, and other small communities nearby by Air-Dale and NorOntair. A single DHC-6 Twin Otter serviced the airport.[5]
A resurfacing project began in the summer of 1977, shutting down the airport. The airport reopened on July 20, 1978. Initially expecting the project to cost $20,000, the project went over the estimate by $80,000 for a total of $100,000.[6] [7]
A terminal for the airport opened in September 1980.[8]
Worries about the airport operation arose in January 1996 after the closure of NorOntair, which expected the airport to lose $600,000 per year. The worries were resolved after Bearskin Airlines started operating regular passenger service in and out of the airport, filling in the revenue costs.[9] [10]
The runway temporarily closed from September 2, 1997, to October 6 due to maintenance repairs, which began in July 1997.[11]
Air Georgian signed a two-year contract on June 1, 1999, replacing Bearskin Airlines as the regular passenger service in and out of Wawa. Service ceased on February 10, 2001, after no attempts to renew the contract, marking the last regular passenger service to go through the airport.[12] [13]
Accidents and incidents
- On July 18, 1980, a private helicopter crashed shortly after takeoff. One man was injured.[14]
- On November 27, 2023, a MEDEVAC flight flown on a Mitsubishi MU-2 by Thunder Airlines crashed upon landing, destroying the plane. No injuries were reported, but the runway was closed for over 2 days.[15]
Notes and References
- Web site: Synoptic/Metstat Station Information . 2011-03-19 . 2012-07-07 . https://archive.today/20120707173458/http://climate.weatheroffice.gc.ca/prods_servs/metstat1_e.html . live .
- News: November 20, 1968 . Wawa Airport Awaits Costs . 4 . . November 28, 2023.
- News: May 28, 1969 . Wawa Airport Gets Initial OK . 7 . . November 28, 2023.
- News: Lawson . Isabel . October 3, 1974 . Strip extension approved . 30 . . November 28, 2023.
- News: Lawson . Isabel . August 12, 1975 . Ribbon cutting opens Wawa airport . 6 . . November 28, 2023 . November 29, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231129043510/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sault-star/135933392/ . live .
- News: Lawson . Isabel . April 7, 1977 . NorOntair to Wawa improves . 22 . . November 28, 2023.
- News: July 21, 1978 . Airstrip opened Thursday . 6 . . November 28, 2023 . December 7, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231207234505/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sault-star/135960383/ . live .
- News: Davis . Penny . January 19, 1981 . Wawa's year one of many new beginnings . 11 . . November 28, 2023 . December 7, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231207234505/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sault-star/135961574/ . live .
- News: White . Camilla . January 24, 1996 . NorOntair shutdown will cost Wawa $600,000 per year, report says . 1 . . November 28, 2023 . December 7, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231207234505/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sault-star/135962181/ . live .
- News: Brooks . Joan . June 11, 1996 . Wawa Airport booms with Bearskin . 20 . . November 28, 2023 . December 7, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231207234506/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sault-star/135962277/ . live .
- News: White . Camilla . July 31, 1997 . Runway being repaired . 14 . . November 28, 2023 . December 7, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231207234505/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sault-star/135962420/ . live .
- News: Brooks . Joan . June 5, 1999 . Mississauga-based Air Georgian to deliver air services to Wawa . 34 . . November 28, 2023 . December 7, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231207234509/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sault-star/135962779/ . live .
- News: White-Kirkpatrick . Camilla . February 2, 2001 . Wawa may see regular air service grounded; contract expires Feb. 10 . 20 . . November 28, 2023 . December 7, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231207234505/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sault-star/135962916/ . live .
- News: July 23, 1980 . Man survives 'copter crash . 22 . . November 28, 2023 . December 7, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231207234505/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sault-star/135961285/ . live .
- Web site: MacDonald . Darren . November 27, 2023 . No injuries after plane destroyed in airport crash in Wawa, Ont. . November 28, 2023 . ctvnews.ca . December 7, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231207235006/https://northernontario.ctvnews.ca/plane-destroyed-in-runway-crash-in-wawa-ont-1.6662770 . live .
