Us Airports: Closing Down Or Staying Open?

While there are no indications of widespread airport closures in the US, there have been a few instances of airports or runways being temporarily or permanently closed. For example, the Piney-Pinecreek Border Airport, which straddles the US-Canada border in Minnesota, closed down in December 2024 due to low usage and costly repairs. Additionally, mysterious drones caused temporary runway closures at several airports in New York, including Stewart International Airport, LaGuardia International Airport, and Newark Liberty International Airport. These closures highlight the potential impact of external factors on airport operations and the need for effective countermeasures.

Piney-Pinecreek Border Airport in Minnesota is closing

The Piney-Pinecreek Border Airport in Minnesota is closing after seven decades of operation. The airport, which straddles the US-Canada border, is one of only six general aviation airports in the US that share a border with Canada. The decision to close the airport was made due to low usage and the need for costly repairs.

The airport, located about 20 miles northwest of Roseau, initially opened in 1953 with a grass runway that stopped at the Canadian border. In 1978, the runway was expanded and paved, extending into Canada. This unique international agreement, which was most recently renewed in 2022, required spelling out operations and financial contributions between the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) and the Rural Municipality of Piney, Manitoba, which jointly owned the facility.

However, with an average of only 200 aircraft using the facility per year, the cost of maintaining the airport proved too high to justify the expense. MnDOT estimates that the airport will need about $3.8 million in short-term updates and repairs through 2028, and nearly $9.5 million in repairs over the next 20 years.

The director of the MnDOT's Office of Aeronautics, Ryan Guag, noted that nearby airports in Warroad, Roseau, Stephen, and Warren can accommodate Piney-Pinecreek pilots and support more annual aircraft operations. The final day of operations for the Piney-Pinecreek airport was December 26, 2024, bringing an end to its unique place in aviation history.

The closure of the Piney-Pinecreek Border Airport is a reminder of the challenges faced by small, rural airports in maintaining operations and infrastructure with limited resources and usage. Despite its low traffic, the airport held a special place in the hearts of the local community and aviation enthusiasts, showcasing the importance of even minor airports in connecting people and communities.

The airport is one of only six on the US-Canada border

The Piney-Pinecreek Border Airport in Minnesota is one of only six airports that straddle the US-Canada border. The airport is located in both Manitoba, Canada, and Minnesota, United States. It is jointly owned by the Minnesota Department of Transportation and the government of Piney, Manitoba. The airport is shared by the rural communities of Piney, Manitoba, and Pinecreek, Minnesota.

The airport's unique claim to fame is its runway, which straddles the border of the two countries. It first opened in 1953 with a grass runway that stopped at the Canadian border. However, in 1978, a paved runway was added, extending into Canada. This extension required extensive negotiation between local and national governments. The airport is classified as an “airport of entry” by Nav Canada and is staffed by the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA).

The Piney-Pinecreek Border Airport served as a convenient crossing point for hunters and fishermen travelling between the two countries. It also accommodated aircraft for medical emergencies, flight training, and organ transplants. Unfortunately, despite its long history, the airport faced declining usage and significant repair costs. In December 2024, it was announced that the airport would permanently close due to the high costs and the expiration of the international agreement required for its operation.

The other five airports that straddle the US-Canada border are the International Peace Garden Airport, Coronach/Scobey Border Station Airport, Coutts/Ross International Airport, Whetstone International Airport (Del Bonita/Whetstone International Airport), and Avey Field State Airport.

The airport is closing due to low usage

The Piney-Pinecreek Border Airport is closing down due to low usage. After seven decades of operation, the airport, located on the border of the US and Canada, will shut down due to declining usage and the need for costly repairs.

The airport, which opened in 1953, initially had a grass runway that stopped at the Canadian border. In 1978, a paved runway extension was added, enabling it to accommodate larger aircraft. This unique airport is one of only six general aviation airports in the US that share a border with Canada. However, with an average of only 200 aircraft using the facility annually, the airport has seen declining usage.

The Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) and the Rural Municipality of Piney in Canada, which jointly own the facility, have determined that the maintenance and future upkeep are too costly to justify keeping the lightly-used airport operational. MnDOT estimates that the airport will require approximately $3.8 million in short-term updates and repairs through 2028, with total costs over the next 20 years reaching almost $9.5 million.

The decision to close the airport was also influenced by the lack of local support. According to Ryan Gaug, the director of MnDOT's Office of Aeronautics, they reached out to pilots and aviation groups to gauge interest in keeping the airport open but found that there was not a strong user base advocating for its continued operation.

The Piney-Pinecreek Border Airport's final day of operations was December 26, 2024, bringing an end to its unique status as an international airport serving hunters, anglers, and pilots crossing the US-Canada border.

Repairs are too costly

The Piney-Pinecreek Border Airport in Minnesota, which straddles the US-Canada border, is closing down after seven decades due to the high costs of repairs and maintenance. The airport is jointly owned by the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) and the rural municipality of Piney in Manitoba, Canada.

MnDOT estimates that the airport will require approximately $3.8 million in short-term updates and repairs through 2028, and nearly $9.5 million in the next 20 years. The cost of these repairs would have been shared with Piney, but with only around 200 aircraft using the facility annually, the price proved too high to justify the expense.

The airport's unique location means that it requires an international agreement spelling out operations and financial contributions, mostly split between MnDOT and Piney, as well as maintenance and capital improvement plans. This agreement is set to expire, and without it, the airport cannot continue operations.

The Canadian government was unable to provide financial assistance for the much-needed repairs, and with declining usage, the decision was made to close the airport. The closure of the Piney-Pinecreek Border Airport highlights the challenges of maintaining small, unique airports with low usage, especially when faced with significant repair and maintenance costs.

Drone sightings have closed runways in New York

Drone sightings have caused quite a stir in the United States, with reports of mysterious drones spotted across multiple states, including New York. The sightings have led to temporary runway closures at some airports, including New York's Stewart International Airport, which closed its runways for about an hour on the night of December 13, 2024.

In response to the drone sightings, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced temporary flight restrictions, banning drone flying for unapproved aircraft in 22 New Jersey cities until January 17, 2025. These restrictions were put in place due to security concerns while investigations into the drone sightings were ongoing.

The drone sightings have prompted reactions from various officials and agencies. New York Governor Kathy Hochul directed the New York State Intelligence Center to actively investigate the drone sightings and coordinate with federal law enforcement. She also urged Congress to grant the state the power to deal directly with the drones. Senator Chuck Schumer of New York called for Congress to provide local police with more tools to address the drone issue.

The Biden administration has stated that there is no indication of any national security or public safety risks posed by the drones. White House National Security spokesperson John Kirby assured the public that the sightings were likely a combination of lawful commercial drones, hobbyist drones, law enforcement drones, manned aircraft, helicopters, and even stars mistakenly identified as drones. The FBI and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) echoed these sentiments, stating that they had found no evidence of malicious activity or any threat to national security.

While the exact nature and origin of the drones remain unknown, there has been much speculation. John Ferguson, CEO of Saxon Aerospace, a drone manufacturer in Kansas, suggested that the drones could be searching for gas leaks or pockets of radiation. He based this theory on the fact that the drones were flown at night, indicating a possible intent to detect something on the ground. However, other experts have refuted this claim, stating that the sightings were likely cases of mistaken identity, with people mistaking planes or stars for drones.

The mystery surrounding the drone sightings has led to an increase in conspiracy theories, with some speculating that the drones are being used to detect radioactive material or that they are linked to a covert operation by global elites to stage a fake alien invasion. Despite these theories, federal officials have maintained that there is no cause for alarm and that they are working diligently to address the situation and provide the public with accurate information.

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