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Erik Nielsen Whitehorse International Airport celebrates completion of the main runway

Friday, 5 September 2025 13:36

By Panebi Wilson @chonfmpwilson

The upgraded runway will strengthen the safety, reliability, and capacity of Canada's northern transportation infrastructure. (Panebi Wilson/CHON-FM news)

This upgraded runway is more than an infrastructure project – it’s an investment in the future of the Yukon.

By Panebi Wilson Chon-fm Pwilson
A significant milestone has been reached in the Erik Nielsen Whitehorse International Airport main runway reconstruction project. Officials from the governments of Yukon and Canada gathered to celebrate the completion of the main runway, which is set to reopen to aircraft later this month.

This achievement marks a key phase in the larger ENWIA Improvement project, backed by a $186 million federal contribution and $75.5 million from the Government of Yukon.

Earlier phases included upgrades to the apron and parallel runway, with significant drainage and electrical improvements also completed.
The upgraded runway will strengthen the safety, reliability, and capacity of Canada's northern transportation infrastructure, unlocking economic opportunities across Yukon and beyond.

According to Member of Parliament for the Yukon Brendan Hanley, this upgraded runway is more than an infrastructure project – it’s an investment in the future of the Yukon.

The Erik Nielsen Whitehorse International Airport serves approximately 400,000 passengers per year and remained operational throughout the construction period, with flights safely rerouted to the parallel runway.

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