CYZH
Slave Lake, Alberta
OUR STORY
Airport History
From its beginnings in the mid-1960s to its role today as essential regional infrastructure, Slave Lake Airport has grown alongside the communities and industries it serves.
Growing with the region
The airport’s story reaches back to the mid-1960s. Over the decades, changes in ownership, governance and infrastructure shaped the airport into the certified regional facility that operates today. Each major improvement strengthened the airport’s ability to support emergency response, industry, public services and private aviation across the Lesser Slave Lake region.
Milestones
Mid-1960s
The airport’s history begins, establishing an aviation connection for Slave Lake and the surrounding region.
1976
The original Air Terminal Building is constructed.
1995
Provincial ownership transfers to the Town of Slave Lake.
1999
The Slave Lake Airport Services Commission begins operating the airport on January 1.
2000
A 550-foot runway extension and partial parallel taxiway expand airside capacity.
2010
The current Air Terminal Building opens.
2016
100% LED aerodrome lighting. The airport completed a full LED conversion designed to the TP 312, 5th Edition lighting standards introduced in September 2015. Slave Lake Airport is understood to have been the first Canadian airport to implement those new lighting requirements and, unofficially, the first airport in North America with 100% LED aerodrome lighting. The project received $347,850 through the Alberta Community Partnership grant program.
2018
Runway 10/28 rehabilitation and overlay. Work began September 15, the runway returned to service September 28, and the project was complete October 23. The final project cost was $1,807,939.44, with $1,709,716.29 in net eligible costs and a 75% Community Airport Program grant of $1,282,287.22 through Alberta’s Strategic Transportation Infrastructure Program.
2021
Powered access gates and perimeter fencing. The airport completed its powered-gate installation and perimeter-fencing project at a cost of $245,655, funded from the airport’s capital reserve.
2025
60th Anniversary Fly-In. Approximately 700 people attended a community celebration featuring RCMP, air-ambulance and wildfire aircraft, a Black Hawk helicopter, other helicopters and private aircraft. The event also included live music, food trucks and children’s activities.
RECOGNITION OF SERVICE · 1995–2019
Ken Skahl — 24 Years of Dedicated Service
Ken Skahl served Slave Lake Airport for 24 years, from 1995 to 2019, and was the airport’s first manager following the Province’s transfer of the facility to the Town of Slave Lake. He guided the airport through the formative years of local ownership and the transition to operation by the Slave Lake Airport Services Commission in 1999. Ken was instrumental in achieving certified-airport status and establishing the regulatory foundation required to operate safely and meet federal requirements, including developing the airport’s core manuals, procedures and operational systems from the ground up. His tenure spanned major improvements to the runway, taxiway, terminal and airfield-lighting systems, while the airport strengthened its essential regional role in medevac and emergency services, wildfire suppression, industry and private aviation. His leadership and long-standing commitment helped shape the professional, safety-focused airport CYZH is today.
Community ownership and governance
The 1995 transfer from provincial ownership marked an important transition. Since January 1, 1999, the Slave Lake Airport Services Commission has operated the airport on behalf of the Town of Slave Lake and the Municipal District of Lesser Slave River No. 124.
This regional governance model reflects the airport’s importance beyond a single community and supports coordinated planning for aviation infrastructure, emergency readiness and economic activity.
An essential regional airport
Today, CYZH supports medevac and emergency operations, wildfire response, forestry, industry, private aviation, general aviation, charter flights and visiting aircraft. Although there are no scheduled passenger flights, the airport remains vital to the safety, resilience and economy of the region.
Help us preserve the story
Additional archival photographs and verified historical details can be added as they become available. If you have material that may help document the airport’s history, please contact Airport Operations.
Slave Lake Airport Services Commission · Building 6 Airport Road · Slave Lake, Alberta · Airport Operations: 780-849-3089 · Contact & Location · info@slavelakeairport.ca