A unique airport on the US-Canada border in northern Minnesota is set to close after 70 years of operation. The Piney-Pinecreek Border Airport, which has a paved runway crossing the border, will shut down at the end of December.
The airport was built in 1953 to speed up customs processing for air travelers and served hunters and anglers flying to Canada. It is the only airport on the US-Canada border with a paved runway.
Declining usage and significant repair costs have led to the decision to close the airport, according to Ryan Gaug, director of the Minnesota Department of Transportation aeronautics office. The short-term cost to bring the facility up to safety standards is estimated at $3.8 million.
Piney-Pinecreek was operated in collaboration with the Rural Municipality of Piney, Manitoba, but due to financial constraints, the Canadian government could not afford its share of planned improvement costs. Local resident Marlin Elton, who served on the airport commission and helped maintain the facility for 30 years, expressed sadness at the closure, saying it will affect primarily pilots who use the airport.
The decision was made after MnDOT reached out to pilots and aviation groups, finding a weak user base and lack of local support. The final day of operations is set for December 26.
Source: https://www.mprnews.org/story/2024/12/22/unique-northern-minnesota-border-airport-closing-after-70-years