The airport was built during WWII in 1942 by the US Air Force to connect airfields with the Alaska Highway and to provide a series of airfields and navigational aids between Edmonton and Northway AK, just over the border from the Yukon. After the war, Canada bought all the facilities that were constructed by the US.
Three airlines fly to Fort St John with more than 20 passenger flights a day to/from various destinations. Many other commercial, private and helicopter flights keep the skies busy here. Every two years the airport hosts the FSJ Airshow in July. Canada's Snowbirds have been frequent guests.
An urban legend that a Boeing 747 could land at this airport has been confirmed with the provisio "if it had to".
The Northern Lights Raceway drag strip shares various parts of the old taxiways at the west side of the airport.
Parking at the roadside is safe. Cache is a jam jar with room for very small trade items.