Wawa Airport

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.{{Cite news |date=November 20, 1968 |title=Wawa Airport Awaits Costs |page=4 |work=The Sault Star |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sault-star/135958382/ |access-date=November 28, 2023}} {{Open access}} The licensing for the airstrip was tentatively approved for {{cvt|3300| ft}} of the available {{cvt|4600|ft}} 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.{{Cite news |date=May 28, 1969 |title=Wawa Airport Gets Initial OK |page=7 |work=The Sault Star |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sault-star/135959381/ |access-date=November 28, 2023}} {{Open access}}

On October 1, 1974, Michipicoten Township Council passed a resolution to expand the runway from the licensed {{cvt|3300|ft}} to a minimum of {{cvt|4000|ft}}.{{Cite news |last=Lawson |first=Isabel |date=October 3, 1974 |title=Strip extension approved |page=30 |work=The Sault Star |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sault-star/135959900/ |access-date=November 28, 2023}} {{Open access}}

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.{{Cite news |last=Lawson |first=Isabel |date=August 12, 1975 |title=Ribbon cutting opens Wawa airport |page=6 |work=The Sault Star |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sault-star/135933392/ |access-date=November 28, 2023 |archive-date=November 29, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231129043510/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sault-star/135933392/ |url-status=live }} {{Open access}}

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.{{Cite news |last=Lawson |first=Isabel |date=April 7, 1977 |title=NorOntair to Wawa improves |page=22 |work=The Sault Star |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sault-star/135960371/ |access-date=November 28, 2023}} {{Open access}}{{Cite news |date=July 21, 1978 |title=Airstrip opened Thursday |page=6 |work=The Sault Star |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sault-star/135960383/ |access-date=November 28, 2023 |archive-date=December 7, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231207234505/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sault-star/135960383/ |url-status=live }} {{Open access}}

A terminal for the airport opened in September 1980.{{Cite news |last=Davis |first=Penny |date=January 19, 1981 |title=Wawa's year one of many new beginnings |page=11 |work=The Sault Star |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sault-star/135961574/ |access-date=November 28, 2023 |archive-date=December 7, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231207234505/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sault-star/135961574/ |url-status=live }}

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.{{Cite news |last=White |first=Camilla |date=January 24, 1996 |title=NorOntair shutdown will cost Wawa $600,000 per year, report says |page=1 |work=The Sault Star |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sault-star/135962181/ |access-date=November 28, 2023 |archive-date=December 7, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231207234505/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sault-star/135962181/ |url-status=live }} {{Open access}}{{Cite news |last=Brooks |first=Joan |date=June 11, 1996 |title=Wawa Airport booms with Bearskin |page=20 |work=The Sault Star |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sault-star/135962277/ |access-date=November 28, 2023 |archive-date=December 7, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231207234506/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sault-star/135962277/ |url-status=live }} {{Open access}}

The runway temporarily closed from September 2, 1997, to October 6 due to maintenance repairs, which began in July 1997.{{Cite news |last=White |first=Camilla |date=July 31, 1997 |title=Runway being repaired |page=14 |work=The Sault Star |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sault-star/135962420/ |access-date=November 28, 2023 |archive-date=December 7, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231207234505/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sault-star/135962420/ |url-status=live }} {{Open access}}

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.{{Cite news |last=Brooks |first=Joan |date=June 5, 1999 |title=Mississauga-based Air Georgian to deliver air services to Wawa |page=34 |work=The Sault Star |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sault-star/135962779/ |access-date=November 28, 2023 |archive-date=December 7, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231207234509/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sault-star/135962779/ |url-status=live }} {{Open access}}{{Cite news |last=White-Kirkpatrick |first=Camilla |date=February 2, 2001 |title=Wawa may see regular air service grounded; contract expires Feb. 10 |page=20 |work=The Sault Star |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sault-star/135962916/ |access-date=November 28, 2023 |archive-date=December 7, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231207234505/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sault-star/135962916/ |url-status=live }} {{Open access}}

• On July 18, 1980, a private helicopter crashed shortly after takeoff. One man was injured.{{Cite news |date=July 23, 1980 |title=Man survives 'copter crash |page=22 |work=The Sault Star |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sault-star/135961285/ |access-date=November 28, 2023 |archive-date=December 7, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231207234505/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sault-star/135961285/ |url-status=live }} {{Open access}}
• On November 27, 2023, a medical transport 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.{{Cite web |last=MacDonald |first=Darren |date=November 27, 2023 |title=No injuries after plane destroyed in airport crash in Wawa, Ont. |url=https://northernontario.ctvnews.ca/plane-destroyed-in-runway-crash-in-wawa-ont-1.6662770 |access-date=November 28, 2023 |website=ctvnews.ca |archive-date=December 7, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231207235006/https://northernontario.ctvnews.ca/plane-destroyed-in-runway-crash-in-wawa-ont-1.6662770 |url-status=live }}

{{reflist}}

{{Can-arpt-wx|CYXZ|Wawa Airport}}

{{List of airports in Canada}}

{{authority control}}

Category:Registered aerodromes in Algoma District