Two nations, one border, and a historic runway—Piney-Pinecreek showed how the United States and Canada could truly fly together.

The Piney-Pinecreek Border Airport was a unique airport that sat directly on the international boundary between the United States and Canada. Located between Pinecreek, Minnesota (USA) and Piney, Manitoba (Canada), it was the only paved runway in the world that crossed the U.S.-Canada border. This small airport mainly served private pilots, hunters, and tourists who traveled between the two countries. What made it even more special was that both U.S. and Canadian customs officials were available on-site, allowing passengers to clear immigration on either side. The airport first opened in 1953 with a grass runway, and in 1978, it was upgraded with a paved runway that officially extended into both countries.

After serving the aviation community for more than 70 years, the Piney-Pinecreek airport was permanently closed on December 27, 2024. The closure was due to several reasons: very low usage with only around 200 flights per year, high maintenance costs with estimates of $3.8 million required for upgrades, and the expiration of the international agreement between Minnesota’s Department of Transportation and the Rural Municipality of Piney. Officials decided not to renew the agreement, making it difficult to justify keeping the airport open. The location of the airport was near the junction of Minnesota State Highway 89 and Manitoba Highway 89, and it was managed jointly by both U.S. and Canadian authorities. While it is no longer in operation, the Piney-Pinecreek Border Airport remains a symbol of cross-border cooperation and a rare piece of aviation history that many will remember.