The Government of Canada will provide up to 49.5 million CAD to upgrade the runway and access road at Inuvik (Mike Zubko) Airport in the Northwest Territories.
The investment is being provided through the Arctic Infrastructure Fund (AIF) and will be delivered in partnership with the Government of the Northwest Territories. Work is scheduled to begin this autumn.
The project will create a consistent paved surface on the existing runway and replace the airport’s access road with asphalt. The upgrades are intended to improve safety and reliability while allowing the airport to accommodate heavier road traffic and increasing cargo volumes.
The federal investment builds on 230 million CAD from the Department of National Defence for the extension and modernisation of the airport’s runway. Prime Minister Mark Carney reaffirmed that funding earlier this year.
Together, the investments will support the airport’s civilian and defence roles, while improving the movement of people and goods through the region.
The Honourable Steven MacKinnon, Minister of Transport and Leader of the Government in the House of Commons said:Inuvik Airport plays a vital role in supporting communities across the Western Arctic and contributes to Canada’s broader transportation and northern priorities. This investment will strengthen the airport’s capacity to serve the region, support operational readiness, and advance Canada’s defence, security and sovereignty objectives in the North.
Inuvik Airport is a regional hub for Canada’s Western Arctic, supporting passenger services, cargo operations, emergency response and the resupply of communities across the Northwest Territories, Yukon and surrounding areas.
The airport is also designated as a Forward Operating Location for the Royal Canadian Air Force and the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD).
The improvements are intended to support year-round connectivity for Northern communities, strengthen supply chains and support emergency response operations, including medical evacuations and wildfire response.
The project is the first investment through the 1 billion CAD Arctic Infrastructure Fund, which was introduced in Canada’s 2025 Budget. The fund is intended to support dual-use transportation infrastructure serving civilian, community and defence requirements in Arctic and Northern regions.
The federal government is also providing funding for aviation infrastructure improvements in the Sahtu Region as part of its wider investment in Northern transportation infrastructure.
The Inuvik project is expected to provide opportunities for Indigenous and Northern businesses and support employment during construction, while strengthening the airport’s role in the regional transport network.
The Honourable Rebecca Alty, Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations said:Northern airports are critical gateways that connect communities, support economic development, and strengthen Canada's presence in the Arctic. As activity across the North continues to grow, investments like this one are essential to ensure the infrastructure is in place to meet increasing demand safely and efficiently.
