YHY · medium airport

Hay River / Merlyn Carter Airport

Hay River, Canada

Airports

YHYmedium airport

Hay River / Merlyn Carter Airport

Hay River, Canada

Explore Hay River city guide Navigate to this airport

Routes out

Destinations

CYHY

ICAO

541 ft

Elevation

TravelerPulse profile

Gateway to the Northwest Territories on Great Slave Lake.

Location

Hay River, Canada

Hay River/Merlyn Carter Airport (IATA: YHY, ICAO: CYHY) is a small regional airport serving Hay River, a town in the Northwest Territories of Canada situated on the southern shore of Great Slave Lake. The airport is named in honour of Merlyn Carter, a local aviation pioneer. The airport handles scheduled passenger service connecting Hay River to Yellowknife and other communities in the Northwest Territories, playing a vital role in a region where air travel is often the most practical means of transportation. It also supports cargo, charter, and general aviation operations essential to the surrounding communities. Operating in a subarctic environment, the airport is equipped to handle cold-weather conditions that are characteristic of the Northwest Territories, where temperatures can drop well below freezing for extended periods.

Terminals

The airport has a small, single terminal building suited to the low passenger volumes typical of a regional northern community.

Getting to & from

Ground transport between the airport and the town of Hay River is primarily by private vehicle or taxi, as no regular public transit service operates on the route.

Airlines here

Canadian North is among the carriers providing scheduled service connecting Hay River to Yellowknife and other Northwest Territories destinations.

Notable facts

›The airport is named after Merlyn Carter, a pioneer of aviation in the Northwest Territories.
›Hay River is a key hub for resupply operations to remote northern communities.
›The airport supports the annual winter road season logistics in addition to year-round air cargo.
›Located in a subarctic climate, the airport operates in extreme cold weather conditions.
›Hay River is sometimes called the 'Hub of the North' due to its transportation infrastructure.

Wikipedia

This profile is provided for general information only. Details may be inaccurate or outdated — always verify with the airport's official website before acting on them.

Gateway to Canada's subarctic wilderness along the Great Slave Lake

Hay River / Merlyn Carter Airport serves the small but strategically important town of Hay River in the Northwest Territories, a hub for transportation and commerce in Canada's subarctic north. Named in honour of local aviation pioneer Merlyn Carter, the airport supports essential connections for residents, resource industries, and travellers venturing into the remote boreal landscape. It plays a vital role in year-round access to a region where roads and other infrastructure remain limited.

Terminals

Main Terminal — A single compact terminal handling all passenger check-in, arrivals, and basic traveller services for the Hay River community.

Ground Transport

Taxi services available from local Hay River providers
Rental car options through local or regional agencies
Private vehicle pick-up and drop-off

Nearby Hotels

Ptarmigan Inn
Hay River Hotel
Caribou Motor Inn

Dining

Food options inside the terminal are minimal, reflecting the airport's small regional scale. The town of Hay River itself offers a modest selection of diners, fast food outlets, and local restaurants a short drive away. Travellers are advised to eat before arriving at the airport for departures.

Traveller Tips

Book taxis or rental vehicles in advance as options are limited in Hay River.
Dress in warm, layered clothing year-round, as subarctic temperatures can change rapidly.
Check flight schedules carefully, as service frequencies are limited and weather delays are common in winter.
Arrive early for departures, as check-in and security at small northern airports can have variable staffing hours.

Official website

AI-assisted overview, verified against public sources.

Route map (3 destinations)

Leaflet © OpenStreetMap © CARTO

Airlines serving this airport

First Air

Northwestern Air

Routes

YHY → YZF7F · AT4 AT7

YHY → YEGJ3 · J31

YHY → YSMJ3 · J31

Aircraft operating here

British Aerospace Jetstream 312 routes Aerospatiale/Alenia ATR 42-3001 routes Aerospatiale/Alenia ATR 721 routes

Hotels near YHY

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Where

Check-in

Check-out

Guests

Rooms

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