A new airport terminal in Kugluktuk opened is now open, allowing arriving passengers to collect their luggage inside for the first time.
The old air terminal building was constructed in 1980 and didnSA国际影视传媒檛 provide protection from the elements for travellers waiting for their unloaded baggage, but that's not the case with the new building, which opened late last month.
SA国际影视传媒淧assengers can now receive their baggage indoors, they used to have to wait outdoors up to 25 minutes or so, even in the cold,SA国际影视传媒 Kevin Niptanatiak, KugluktukSA国际影视传媒檚 senior administrative officer, told Nunavut News in a phone interview.
Niptanatiak said the new air terminal is accessible for the mobility impaired, features automatic doors, and is already making a positive impact on the community.
Residents have told Niptanatiak that the air terminal is a great way to welcome tourists, and Niptanatiak himself used the airport for the first time in the second week of July.
SA国际影视传媒淚 was very impressed, I felt like I was in a modern town,SA国际影视传媒 Niptanatiak said about his home, NunavutSA国际影视传媒檚 westernmost community.
While Niptanatiak appreciated the addition, he explained the territorial and federal governments are responsible for the upgrade, not the hamlet.
The new air terminal building cost $17.3M and took just over two years to construct, according to Transportation and Infrastructure Nunavut.
Canadian North operates scheduled flights to and from the airport seven days per week, including two daily trips to Yellowknife, connections to Cambridge Bay, and twice per week, there are connections to Ulukhaktok.
KugluktukSA国际影视传媒檚 old air terminal will be demolished once new communications systems work is completed, Transportation and Infrastructure Nunavut said.
Supply shipments of food and fuel wonSA国际影视传媒檛 be affected by the new terminal, Niptanatiak explained.
SA国际影视传媒淔ood and any other supplies and any cargo are removed from the airport to its respective location,SA国际影视传媒 Niptanatiak said. SA国际影视传媒淔or the food, itSA国际影视传媒檚 brought immediately to either the Co-op store or the Northern store and cargo is offloaded into a warehouse.SA国际影视传媒
An airport first opened in the community back in 1967, funded by the federal Department of Transportation.