Proudly connecting communities since 1926
Nonprofit, volunteer operated
Nonprofit, volunteer operated
Airport Guide
Learn about the history of the airport, events, news, maps, photos and more. |
Aviation Services
Here you will find information for aviators including parking, maintenance, fuel services and more. |
About Cooking Lake Airport
Canada's oldest operating public airport (founded 1926)
Operated as a non-profit - entirely by volunteers
Approximately 250 aircraft based at the airport
Fifth busiest community airport in Alberta (>30,000 aircraft movements each year)
CBSA approved international airport (CANPASS)
Two Transport Canada approved Flight Schools
Five aircraft maintenance shops
Two published RNAV instrument approaches
Economic impact is $28 million per year
Approximately 100 direct and indirect jobs derived from the airport
2,950 foot runway, 11 taxiways, 8 kilometers of roads, 4 public parking lots
24/7 aircraft refueling (100 LL)
Canada's oldest operating public airport (founded 1926)
Operated as a non-profit - entirely by volunteers
Approximately 250 aircraft based at the airport
Fifth busiest community airport in Alberta (>30,000 aircraft movements each year)
CBSA approved international airport (CANPASS)
Two Transport Canada approved Flight Schools
Five aircraft maintenance shops
Two published RNAV instrument approaches
Economic impact is $28 million per year
Approximately 100 direct and indirect jobs derived from the airport
2,950 foot runway, 11 taxiways, 8 kilometers of roads, 4 public parking lots
24/7 aircraft refueling (100 LL)
News and events
Province of Alberta announces $3.85 million for Cooking Lake Airport
Funds to be used for runway and apron rehabilitation
Funds to be used for runway and apron rehabilitation
Jim Johannsson, CLA Board of Directors; Rod Frank, Mayor Strathcona County; Mark Wiens; Nate Glubish, Minister of Innovation; Danielle Smith, Premier of Alberta; Don Fraser, CLA Board of Directors; Brad Spencer, CLA Board of Directors; Kim Fraser, CLA Board of Directors
On July 17, 2025 Premier Danielle Smith and Nate Glubish, Minister of Technology and Innovation presented a $3.85 million cheque to the Cooking Lake Airport for rehabilitation of the airport's aging runway and apron areas. The runway and apron were last paved by Alberta Transportation back in 1983. The pavements have been very well cared for over the years, but the years have finally caught up to them and it's now time for them to be resurfaced.
Cooking Lake Airport is one of the busiest community airports in Alberta and the oldest operating public airport in all of Canada.
The airport currently serves a variety of users including flight training, search & rescue, medical transport, pipeline inspection, corporate flights, recreation, and more.
Cooking Lake Airport is one of the busiest community airports in Alberta and the oldest operating public airport in all of Canada.
The airport currently serves a variety of users including flight training, search & rescue, medical transport, pipeline inspection, corporate flights, recreation, and more.
Featured news clips
Flashback to 1937 - Inaugural airmail flight to the Yukon
The summer of 2024 marked the 87th anniversary of the inaugural airmail flight from Cooking Lake Airport to the Yukon. The flight left Cooking Lake at 0815 on July 5, 1937 and arrived at Dawson City at 1230 on July 7, 1937 to deliver its' cargo of mail and good wishes. The flight made stops at Bear Lake (Grande Prairie), Fort Nelson, Nelson Forks, Lower Post (Hudson Bay Outpost on Liard River), and Whitehorse on its way to Dawson City.
For the return trip the flight departed Dawson City at 0230 on July 8, 1937 with stops in Whitehorse, Lower Post, Fort Nelson, Charlie Lake (near Fort St. John) and arrived back at Cooking Lake at 2115 after a long day of flying.
The aircraft used for the flight was a Ford Trimotor on floats CF-BEP (one of only 3 ever built in a seaplane configuration) and operated by United Air Transport, owned by Grant McConachie. In 1939, CF-BEP was badly damaged in a runway mishap with a Hawker Hurricane at Vancouver. The only part of the aircraft that remains today is a "blow pot" which was used to warm the engine in the winter, and is on display in the Yukon Transportation Museum.
The summer of 2024 marked the 87th anniversary of the inaugural airmail flight from Cooking Lake Airport to the Yukon. The flight left Cooking Lake at 0815 on July 5, 1937 and arrived at Dawson City at 1230 on July 7, 1937 to deliver its' cargo of mail and good wishes. The flight made stops at Bear Lake (Grande Prairie), Fort Nelson, Nelson Forks, Lower Post (Hudson Bay Outpost on Liard River), and Whitehorse on its way to Dawson City.
For the return trip the flight departed Dawson City at 0230 on July 8, 1937 with stops in Whitehorse, Lower Post, Fort Nelson, Charlie Lake (near Fort St. John) and arrived back at Cooking Lake at 2115 after a long day of flying.
The aircraft used for the flight was a Ford Trimotor on floats CF-BEP (one of only 3 ever built in a seaplane configuration) and operated by United Air Transport, owned by Grant McConachie. In 1939, CF-BEP was badly damaged in a runway mishap with a Hawker Hurricane at Vancouver. The only part of the aircraft that remains today is a "blow pot" which was used to warm the engine in the winter, and is on display in the Yukon Transportation Museum.
How did Cooking Lake become the biggest volunteer operated airport in Canada?
In 1995 the Alberta Government transferred ownership of the airport to the Edmonton Airport Authority with the condition that they operate it for at least 10 years.
In 2008, the Edmonton Airport Authority decided Cooking Lake Airport was no longer core to its strategy and began the devolution of the airport. Strathcona County unexpectedly decided not to exercise its right to take over the airport.
To save the airport from closure, a group of volunteers arranged to takeover the airport and keep it open to the public.
Today, Cooking Lake Airport is the oldest operating public airport in all of Canada, the fifth busiest community airport in Alberta, and one of only 5 CBSA approved international (CANPASS) airports in the province.
In 1995 the Alberta Government transferred ownership of the airport to the Edmonton Airport Authority with the condition that they operate it for at least 10 years.
In 2008, the Edmonton Airport Authority decided Cooking Lake Airport was no longer core to its strategy and began the devolution of the airport. Strathcona County unexpectedly decided not to exercise its right to take over the airport.
To save the airport from closure, a group of volunteers arranged to takeover the airport and keep it open to the public.
Today, Cooking Lake Airport is the oldest operating public airport in all of Canada, the fifth busiest community airport in Alberta, and one of only 5 CBSA approved international (CANPASS) airports in the province.
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Members of the 408 Tactical Helicopter Squadron with their state-of-the-art Griffon helicopter
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Royal Canadian Air Cadets 287 Squadron
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Cooking Lake Airport
500, 51401 RR 221 Sherwood Park, AB T8E 1H1 |
Inquiries:
Aircraft parking: [email protected] Gate FOBs: [email protected] Operations: (780) 964-2272 |
