Tuesday, September 29, 2026
The Government of Canada announced the grand opening of the Rankin Inlet air terminal building, along with federal funding of $85.5 million through the Arctic Infrastructure Fund (AIF) to support the Rankin Inlet Airfield Rehabilitation Project.
“For people in Rankin Inlet and across the Kivalliq, the airport is more than infrastructure. It connects families and communities and helps people access the food, supplies, services and opportunities they rely on. By investing in safe and reliable transportation in the North, we are strengthening communities and creating new opportunities, while also strengthening Canada’s presence and sovereignty in the Arctic,” said Rebecca Chartrand, Minister of Northern and Arctic Affairs and Minister.
This investment builds on a previously announced investment from National Trade Corridors Fund (NTCF) which funded the Rankin Inlet air terminal building. It will help the full rehabilitation of the airport’s runaway which will enhance the reliability and safety of air transportation in the Kivalliq region. As a critical gateway for northern communities, the airport plays an essential role in moving passengers, cargo, and vital supplies and services, including food and medical equipment.
The AIF funding complements the Department of National Defence’s investment to rehabilitate the runway to strengthen the airport’s capacity to support growing transportation needs while enhancing the Canadian Armed Force’s operational capabilities in Canada’s North.
Funding announced today will support:
- Enhancement of the safety, reliability, and capacity of the airport’s runway, taxiways, and apron systems, which serve the Kivalliq Region of Nunavut;
- Rehabilitation of approximately 141,000 square metres of airfield pavement, including Runway 13‑31, Taxiways A and C, and associated apron surfaces;
- Ensure on-going safe and reliable operations, extend the airfield’s service life by 15 to 20 years, and reduce long‑term maintenance needs.
Through the AIF, the Government of Canada is making targeted investments in dual-use, civilian/community and defence, and nation-building infrastructure that strengthen northern transportation corridors, improve supply chain reliability, increase economic opportunities, and support Canada’s long-term presence and operational readiness in the Arctic and the North.
“Investing in the Rankin Inlet Airport is an investment in Canada’s North, our Arctic sovereignty, and the communities that depend on reliable transportation every day. Through the Arctic Infrastructure Fund, we are strengthening critical infrastructure that serves both civilian and defence purposes, helping ensure northern transportation networks remain safe, resilient, and dependable well into the future,” said Steven MacKinnon, Minister of Transport.
Featured image: (Govenment of Canada)
