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Remote Arctic airport serving Canada's diamond mining heartland.
Opened
1998
Location
Ekati, Canada
Ekati Airport (IATA: YOA, ICAO: CYOA) is a small, remote airport located in the Lac de Gras area of the Northwest Territories, Canada, serving the Ekati Diamond Mine operated by Arctic Canadian Diamond Company. Situated well above the Arctic Circle, the airport provides the primary means of access for mine workers and supplies, as the area has no road connections.
The airport operates primarily as a fly-in/fly-out facility supporting the mining operation, with scheduled charter flights bringing workers to and from the site. It is not a public commercial airport in the traditional sense, and passenger access is generally restricted to mine personnel and authorized visitors.
Terminals
The airport has a basic terminal facility designed to handle mine workers on rotation, with no public commercial terminal infrastructure.
Getting to & from
There is no road access to Ekati Airport; transportation beyond the airport is limited to the mine site, accessible only by air or seasonal ice roads.
Airlines here
North-Wright Airways and other regional charter carriers have operated flights to Ekati Airport, primarily serving mine employees.
Notable facts
- ›Ekati Airport serves Canada's first diamond mine, which opened in 1998.
- ›The airport is located approximately 300 km northeast of Yellowknife.
- ›It operates above the Arctic Circle in one of Canada's most remote regions.
- ›Access is largely restricted to mine workers and authorized personnel.
- ›The airport must be capable of operating in extreme cold, with temperatures dropping well below -40°C in winter.
This profile is provided for general information only. Details may be inaccurate or outdated — always verify with the airport's official website before acting on them.
