The Piney-Pinecreek Border Airport, located near Roseau, Minnesota, and Piney, Manitoba, will close permanently on December 26, 2024. This unique airport, featuring a runway straddling the US–Canada border, has operated for 70 years but has faced declining usage and high maintenance costs.
Open since 1953 with a grass runway, the airport was later updated with a paved runway added in 1978. It stands out as one of only six airports globally to straddle the US-Canada border, but is the only one equipped with such infrastructure. Throughout its history, the airport primarily served Americans traveling to Canada for activities like hunting and fishing.
According to the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT), the Piney-Pinecreek Border Airport has seen very low usage, with only around 200 aircraft operations annually. This stark statistic compelled officials to evaluate the airport's viability amid rising maintenance expenses. Estimates indicate the airport will require approximately $3.8 million in repairs by 2028 and around $9.5 million over the next two decades, including significant runway reconstruction and terminal upgrades.
"The international agreement required to operate the airport expires on Dec. 26 and will not be renewed by either airport owner," reported The Minnesota Star Tribune. This agreement allowed staff to cross the border without the usual customs procedures, facilitating seamless operations and providing unique service to travelers for decades.
With declining traffic and increasing operational costs, the MnDOT stated, "The airport had very low use and faced large maintenance expenses including runway, apron and terminal reconstruction." This statement reflects broader trends impacting small regional airports across North America, where commercial air travel has increasingly consolidated around larger hubs, leaving smaller facilities struggling to justify their existence.
This closure will mark the end of what has been described as not just another airport, but a bridge between two nations. The Piney-Pinecreek Border Airport's unique features and its long term of service have rendered it historically significant, allowing for international travel across one of the world’s few border-spanning airports.
Despite its limitations, the Piney-Pinecreek facility once offered much-needed access for travelers between the two countries. The airport became synonymous with cross-border fishing and hunting trips, signifying reliance on its services for specific outdoor pursuits.
Yet, the low volume of air traffic revealed the growing impracticality of sustaining the airport. With sustained underutilization and maintenance demands, the decision to close the airport seems to echo voices heard across other struggling airports. One might wonder, what does the future hold for similar facilities?
Moving forward, locals will have to pivot to alternative airports nearby, as Piney-Pinecreek will no longer function as their gateway to Canada. Surrounded by other airports, the closure might not cause immediate issues, but it does signify the waning viability of small regional airports.
While other facilities still serve roles within local communities, the winding down of Piney-Pinecreek Border Airport brings about questions on sustainability strategies for underutilized airports. Communities must now explore alternate solutions to maintain access and connectivity to surrounding regions.
The end of operations at the Piney-Pinecreek Border Airport concludes not just its story, but also serves as a broader commentary on the challenges faced by smaller airports overall. The legacy of this unique facility will remain as the end of this chapter reflects changing dynamics within the aviation industry.