Work underway to clear out mould at Iqaluit airport

After heavy rainfall in July, mould grew in a section of Iqaluit airport’s roof, the GN said Aug.5. A temporary screening area will be set up in the airport through most of the month of August while crews repair the building. (FILE PHOTO)

Weeks of heavy rainfall in Iqaluit have created problems at the city’s airport — mould formed on the airport’s roof, forcing the closure of the building’s security area, the Government of Nunavut said Aug. 5.

So beginning Aug. 5, the airport’s security area will be closed temporary for remediation work, the GN.

The mould was discovered inside the ceiling cavity, the GN said, and does not pose any safety or health risks to people, airport staff, or travellers.

The affected area has been sealed off and evacuation ventilation will be installed to prevent any indoor air quality problems during the renovation work.

In the meantime, passengers flying from Iqaluit to Ottawa or Montreal will be screened in a temporary security room before boarding.

That means passengers should expect some congestion in that area, which will be temporarily shared by the security line-up, oversize baggage screening and Canadian North’s operations.

Repairs should be completed by Aug. 19, the GN said.