Flight pre-registration opens for evacuated North Slave residents

Those returning to Yellowknife, Dettah, Ndil and the Ingraham Trail next week can now pre-register for return flights home.

In a press release Saturday afternoon, the territorial government announced that "pre-registration" is the first step to developing passenger lists for re-entry. After that, the territory will book aircraftbased on need in various locations.

The press release states that officials are still identifying a list of "flight hubs" across Alberta based on need. Evacuees can also pre-register for flights from Whitehorse and Winnipeg.

Flights back to Yellowknife are expected to begin as early as Wednesday, Sept. 6 and are planned to continue for five days, as long as there are no changes in the evacuation order being lifted.

Once an evacuee's flight information is available, the territory says that information will be sent to them via email or text at least 24 hours ahead of their flight. Evacuees can also expect information on getting to their assigned airport from an evacuation centre.

Evacuees can pre-register online here or over the phone at 1-888-383-4830.

Given the limited services that will be available in the city as residents return, evacuees from South Slave communities are asked to remain where they are rather than travel to Yellowknife.