Get ready to fly from a new terminal in Rankin Inlet

Elder seating and concession space planned for building as well

The new Rankin Inlet airport is fully operational and ready for passengers, says the Government of Nunavut. (File photo)

By Jorge Antunes

Beginning Tuesday, Rankin Inlet residents could access the hamlet’s new “fully accessible, barrier-free” airport terminal, the Government of Nunavut announced.

“I am very happy that the Rankin Inlet Air Terminal is open,” said Annie Tattuinee, MLA for Rankin Inlet South, in an email Tuesday.

Travellers throughout the Kivalliq Region will experience a more modern and comfortable space during their travels, she added.

The Rankin Inlet airport is the last of six recently announced projects to come online. In November 2024, the territory said it would build new terminals in Chesterfield Inlet, Naujaat, Whale Cove, Kugluktuk and Kimmirut, in addition to the larger Rankin Inlet project.

The $85-million price tag was split between the federal government at $63.5 million and the GN at $21.5 million.

The 2,650-square-metre facility has capacity for 508 passengers.

All operations have moved to the new building, including air traffic control, Greg Belanger, a spokesperson for Transportation and Infrastructure Nunavut, wrote Tuesday in an email.

A second phase of the project is slated to begin this summer and expected to be complete by April 2028. The almost 850-square-metres in additional space will include arrival and departure gates, concession space, an elders seating area and additional public art spaces, Belanger said.

In the meantime, the GN is advising travellers to allow for a little extra time when checking in for outbound travel.

Share This Story

(7) Comments:

  1. Posted by Norman Gordon on

    Like a dungeon in there
    Can’t see aircraft arriving
    Windows are wrong side
    Who want to see a garage
    Engineer should be dismissed

    19
    13
    • Posted by Kyle S. on

      The Airport is Not a Mall, nor a site seeing view location, Not sure what Norman all needs in YRT? You thought it was going to look like the Singapore airport? Rankin is a pass through town, in and out. Where do I check-in, where’s my luggage? “Wait I want to watch Tingmaks land, Lets go!!”

      3
      11
      • Posted by Marc Augé on

        It’s generic and totally lacks character, a soul crushing representation of a sterile, McDonaldized Non-place.

        And yea, why not have a view of incoming planes? Let’s hope the extension fixes that.

        2
        2
  2. Posted by New terminal? on

    Someone please send Nunatsiaq a photo of the new terminal. Maybe they don’t realize this is the old one? Embarrassing

    14
    1

Join the Conversation

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

*