A general aviation airport is a public airport that doesn't have scheduled commercial service or has less than 2,500 passenger boardings per year.

In general, these airports can be utilized for a variety of purposes including flight instruction, personal flying, business travel, law enforcement, medevac operations, agricultural support, and diversion points for pilots in distress

Minnesota has 126 general aviation airports, six of which are operated by the Metropolitan Airports Commission. However, that number is about to drop by one due to a decision made in part by the Minnesota Department of Transportation.

The Minnesota Department of Transportation Announces Airport Closure

Since 1949, the Piney-Pinecreek Border Airport (48Y), located just west of Highway 89 about 20 miles northwest of Roseau, has operated under an international agreement between MnDOT and the rural municipality of Piney, Manitoba, Canada.

The Minnesota Department of Transportation recently announced that the Piney-Pinecreek Border Airport will permanently close on Friday, December 27.

The reason the decision was made is because the general aviation airport has had very low usage and it faced large maintenance expenses, including runway, apron, and terminal reconstruction.

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The international agreement required to operate the airport expires on Thursday, December 26, and neither MnDOT nor the rural municipality of Piney, Manitoba, Canada wish to renew the agreement.

While that airport will be closing, there are still several other airports nearby that serve the Northwest Minnesota general aviation community, including:

  • Warroad Memorial International Airport (RRT)
  • Roseau Municipal Airport (ROX)
  • Stephen Municipal Airport (D41)
  • Warren Municipal Airport (D37)

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The Minnesota Department of Transportation notes that all the airports above have more annual aircraft operations and support existing-based aircraft.

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