Aupaluk Airport

Aupaluk Airport lies on the eastern shore of Hudson Bay in northern Quebec, serving an Inuit community of fewer than 300 people with no road access to the outside world. The airport’s single asphalt strip handles only a handful of flights per week, mostly from Air Inuit regional turboprops out of Kuujjuaq or points south. For residents, the airport is a lifeline—bringing food, mail, medical supplies, and the occasional tourist. For visitors, it is the sole entry point to one of the most remote and least-visited corners of Canada. The terminal is small, the schedule is uncertain, and the weather often dictates the day. But that simplicity is also the appeal. Here, air travel strips away the usual stress of big airports and replaces it with a raw, practical connection between wilderness and runway.

Getting There

Aupaluk is accessible only by air. The nearest major hub is Kuujjuaq Airport, about 150 kilometres southeast, where flights from Montreal and other southern cities arrive daily. From Kuujjuaq, Air Inuit operates regularly scheduled flights to Aupaluk—typically two or three times per week depending on the season. The flight takes roughly 30 minutes in a Dash 8 or Twin Otter. There are no roads, no ferries, and no trains. Once in Aupaluk, transportation within the community is limited to a few pickup trucks and snowmobiles. Most lodges or outfitters arrange pickup if you call ahead. Because the airport is not open every day (services are limited to certain weekdays), travellers must carefully coordinate their itinerary. Flying in on a Monday afternoon, for instance, will align with the busiest time that day. Always confirm departure times 24 hours in advance, as weather cancellations are common, especially in winter when visibility can drop to a few hundred metres.

Inside the Terminal

The terminal building at Aupaluk Airport is a compact single-storey structure that handles arrivals, departures, and check-in from the same small room. Upon landing, passengers walk from the aircraft across the tarmac to the entrance. Inside, a waiting area with plastic chairs faces a counter where two or three staff handle passenger check-in and cargo. The airport is wheelchair-accessible: the entrance has a ramp, the car park has designated accessible spaces, and both the main hallway and the toilet are wide enough for mobility devices. The toilet itself is clean and basic, with no frills. There is no restaurant, no duty-free shop, and no vending machine—just a counter with a kettle and a basket of tea bags for waiting passengers. The staff are notably friendly and helpful, often assisting with luggage, giving directions, or calling ahead to a local contact. The atmosphere is calm and informal, but businesslike when a flight is imminent. Security screening is minimal: a quick bag check and a walk-through metal detector. The whole departure process, from check-in to boarding, rarely takes longer than fifteen minutes. Passengers should bring their own food and water, as none are available on site.

Aupaluk Airport and Aupaluk

Aupaluk is a tiny hamlet on the coast of Ungava Bay, part of the Nunavik region of northern Quebec. The name means “place of the red earth” in Inuktitut, referencing the red-coloured clay that lines the nearby riverbanks. The community is home to about 200 people, almost all Inuit, who rely on hunting, fishing, and trapping as a way of life. Caribou, seal, and Arctic char are staples. The landscape is stark and majestic: low-lying tundra, rocky outcrops, and vast expanses of frozen sea in winter. In summer, the ground bursts with wildflowers and mosquitoes. There are no paved roads beyond the village, and the nearest town is more than 100 kilometres away by air. People come to Aupaluk for one of two reasons: they have family there, or they are seeking an authentic Arctic experience. The village has a small hotel, a general store, and not much else—no ATM, no bank, no gas station. Tourists typically visit for wilderness camping, kayaking, or to witness the northern lights in winter. The community is known for its warmth and resilience. Visitors often remark on the deep silence that surrounds the village, broken only by wind and the occasional snowmobile. The airport itself feels like a threshold; once you step off the plane, you are truly at the end of the earth. For those who feel lost or unsure about their direction in life, this is a place that forces a kind of clarity. Without distractions, you confront the raw elements and your own thoughts. It is not a resort destination, but for the right traveller, it is unforgettable.

Practical Information

The airport operates on a restricted schedule, typically open only on weekdays and for a few hours around flight times. The busiest periods are Monday at 2 pm, Tuesday at 10 am, Wednesday at 3 pm, and Thursday at 5 pm—these correspond to scheduled Air Inuit arrivals. The airport is closed on weekends and public holidays unless a charter is arranged. Confirmed facilities include a wheelchair-accessible entrance and car park, a toilet, and a wheelchair-accessible toilet. The website for flight bookings and schedules is https://www.airinuit.com/en/destinations/aupaluk and the airport can be reached by phone at +1 819-491-7170. There are no rental cars or taxis at the airport, so arrange transport with your accommodation in advance. Bring all necessary supplies—food, water, extra clothing—as the village store has limited stock and higher prices. Cash is essential because credit cards are rarely accepted. One concrete piece of advice: call the airline the day before your flight to confirm departure, and be prepared to wait. The airport runs on northern time, where patience is part of the journey.