ROSEAU, Minn. — The Piney-Pinecreek Border Airport, notable for its runway that spans the U.S.-Canada border, is set to permanently close its doors on Friday after 70 years of service. Located near Roseau, Minnesota, and Piney, Manitoba, the airport has been a vital passage for travelers, particularly those heading to Canada for hunting and fishing excursions.
The Minnesota Department of Transportation announced earlier this month that the airport has experienced minimal traffic and substantial maintenance costs, including necessary repairs to the runway, apron, and terminal. The international agreement governing the airport’s operation is set to expire on December 26, and neither airport owner intends to pursue a renewal.
Since its inception in 1953 with a grass runway, Piney-Pinecreek Airport added a paved runway in 1978, making it unique among the six airports that border the two countries. Under the terms of the international agreement, airport staff previously enjoyed the benefit of crossing the border for work without undergoing the standard customs checks.
