Unique Airport on U.S.-Canada Border Closes After 70 Years
PINEY, Minn./PINEY, Man. (AP) — The Piney-Pinecreek Border Airport, with its distinctive feature of a runway straddling the U.S.-Canada border, is set to close permanently on December 26 after seven decades of operation.
Tucked away near Roseau, Minnesota, and Piney, Manitoba, this small airport has been a unique gateway between the two nations. However, the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) recently announced its closure, citing low usage and significant maintenance costs.
The MnDOT stated, "The airport has very low use and faces substantial maintenance costs, including reconstructing the runway, apron, and terminal. The international agreement required to operate the airport expires on December 26 and will not be renewed by its owners."
Inaugurated in 1953 with a grass runway, the airport added a paved runway in 1978. It is one of six airports that cross the border but is the only one with a paved runway. Often used by Americans for hunting and fishing trips in Canada, the airport hosted a unique blend of American and Canadian culture.
Under the international agreement, airport staff could cross the border without the typical customs process, facilitating the smooth operation of the airport.
While the closure marks the end of an era for this symbolic piece of aviation history, it leaves behind memories of the individuals and communities it served over the years.
