The terminal at Cameron McIntosh Airport in North Battleford has been closed to the public following an incident last week involving international travellers who landed there.
Director of Planning and Development Jennifer Niesink explained what happened at the city’s Planning Committee meeting Monday. It turned out a couple of individuals from the United States, flying from Maryland to Alaska, landed their private plane at the airport.
They had come into the terminal looking for a pilot’s lounge and spoke to Bob Anthony, the city engineer, while there. The terminal is currently being used as a “second City Hall” office space for city staff during the pandemic.
The individuals told Anthony they were going from Maryland to Alaska. Niesink said this seemed odd, given the restrictions on travel, so they called the reporting line.
The reporting line got the city in touch with a number of agencies. The word they got back was that any individuals who were allowed to travel over the border were supposed to stay with their aircraft or be quarantining, “which these two gentlemen were definitely not doing,” said Niesink.
Ultimately, the two individuals decided to “leave quite quickly,” said Niesink.
In the wake of that, the air terminal has been closed and will remain closed during the duration of the social distancing, said Niesink.
For any pilots who do land at the airport, the city has donated a trailer, which they can use as well as a portable washroom. This is being provided for pilots who need to get out of bad weather or wait on the ground for any length of time.
The airport fueling station remains open outside for pilots needing fuel. A combination lock has been put up at the airport gate as well.
Mayor Ryan Bater noted the reporting line is the one set up by the province to report individuals and businesses who were not following public health orders.
“That’s what it’s there for, I’m glad we used it,” said Bater. “I hope that the public, if they view any activity that they even think might be contrary to public health orders or other directives, that they use that reporting line because that’s what it’s there for.”
