Fort Simpson Airport (CYFS)
Medium airport · Fort Simpson, Northwest Territories, Canada
Airport data
| Name | Fort Simpson Airport |
|---|---|
| ICAO | CYFS |
| IATA | YFS |
| Elevation | 555 ft (169 m) above mean sea level |
| Coordinates | N 61°45'37" W 121°14'13" 61.76020, -121.23700 |
| Location | Fort Simpson, Northwest Territories, Canada |
| Scheduled service | Yes |
Runways
| Runway | Length | Width | Surface | Lighted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 14/32 | 6,000 ft (1829 m) | 150 ft | ASP | Yes |
Fort Simpson Airport at a glance
Fort Simpson Airport is a medium airport in Fort Simpson, Northwest Territories, Canada, known to airline systems as YFS. The field elevation of 555 ft (169 m) is the number every arriving pilot dials against QNH — circuit heights and initial approach altitudes at CYFS are all figured from it. The airport handles scheduled commercial service, so expect controlled procedures, published approaches and commercial traffic in the pattern.
The single runway, 14/32, offers 6,000 ft (1829 m) of asp surface, with runway lighting for night operations. Runway numbers give magnetic orientation: runway 14 points roughly 140° magnetic.
For the weather side of planning, the live METAR and TAF page for CYFS shows the current observation decoded line by line — wind on an instrument dial, visibility, cloud layers and the resulting flight rules — refreshed continuously from official sources.
Nearest airports to Fort Simpson Airport
Distances are great-circle, measured from the field reference point — planning distances along airways or roads will run longer.
| Airport | Code | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Wrigley Airport | CYWY | 197 km (106 NM) |
| Fort Liard Airport | CYJF | 208 km (112 NM) |
| Hay River / Merlyn Carter Airport | CYHY | 309 km (167 NM) |
| Fort Nelson Airport | CYYE | 334 km (180 NM) |
| Yellowknife International Airport | CYZF | 362 km (195 NM) |
Flight-planning notes for Fort Simpson Airport
Density altitude is the quiet performance-killer at any field: on a hot day the 555 ft field elevation of Fort Simpson Airport can translate into a substantially higher density altitude, stretching take-off rolls and flattening climb rates — run the numbers rather than trusting the feel of a standard day. Expect published instrument procedures, controlled airspace and clearance requirements; slots and handling may apply to general aviation traffic.
This entry is one of 250 airports and airfields we list for Canada — the country index on the airports hub links the rest. Coordinates above are given in both DMS and decimal degrees so they can go straight into a GPS, a flight planner or a chart plot without conversion.
Where this data comes from
The reference layer behind this page builds on the OurAirports dataset — a public-domain, community-maintained register of the world's airports that many flight planners and apps rely on — with equity records preserved from documented historical listings where the dataset is silent. Figures are carried as published: elevations as surveyed, coordinates as filed, runway dimensions as recorded. Nothing is estimated to fill a gap, and the whole layer regenerates from source on every site build, so corrections upstream arrive here automatically.
Frequently asked questions about Fort Simpson Airport
What is the ICAO code of Fort Simpson Airport?
The ICAO identifier of Fort Simpson Airport is CYFS, and its IATA code is YFS. The ICAO code is the one used in flight plans, METAR reports and aeronautical charts.
How high is Fort Simpson Airport above sea level?
Fort Simpson Airport sits at an elevation of 555 feet (169 metres) above mean sea level. Field elevation is the reference for pattern altitudes and for setting the altimeter on the ground.
Where exactly is Fort Simpson Airport located?
The airport lies at 61.7602, -121.2370 — in Fort Simpson, Northwest Territories, Canada, in the northern hemisphere. The closest listed field is Wrigley Airport, about 197 km away.
Does CYFS publish METAR weather reports?
Where the station reports, the current METAR and TAF for CYFS appear on its live weather page on this site, refreshed continuously from the US NWS Aviation Weather Center feed.
How long is the runway at Fort Simpson Airport?
Fort Simpson Airport has one runway. The longest, 14/32, measures 6,000 ft (1829 m) with a ASP surface.