Watch North Pole Ice Airport

North Pole Ice Airport was a television documentary series produced by Darlow Smithson Productions that aired in 2012. The series followed the story of how the Arctic Research Station in Ny-Ålesund, Svalbard operated and maintained the world's northernmost airport on an ice runway.

The lead character of the show was Richard Hawley, a pilot who had been flying over the Arctic for over 30 years. He led a team of pilots, engineers, and support staff that work in the extreme conditions of the Arctic Circle. The show focused on the challenges they faced while operating the airport and how they overcame them.

Viewers were given an in-depth look at the operation of the airport and the teamwork required to keep it running. The show also highlights the environmental challenges of operating in such a fragile ecosystem. The team needed to balance the needs of the local scientific community with their need to maintain the airport, whilst ensuring they did not cause too much harm to the environment.

Throughout the series, viewers were taken on a journey into the lives of the staff at the research station. The team worked together in harsh conditions to ensure the safety and success of their mission. From coordinating air traffic and refueling planes to dealing with polar bear sightings, the daily tasks of the airport staff were anything but ordinary.

One of the most compelling aspects of the show was the interactions between the local community and the airport. Viewers were introduced to the Svalbard community and how it dealt with the environmental and safety concerns of having an airport on its doorstep. The impact of the airport on the local economy was also explored, as it provided vital support to the scientific community.

As well as being a fascinating look at the day-to-day operation of a remote airport, North Pole Ice Airport was an insightful exploration of the Arctic environment. The show discussed the impact of the reduced polar ice caps, how it could affect the surrounding area and how the airport team dealt with any issues that arose. The show did an excellent job of demonstrating the importance of this research station and why it should be preserved.

Throughout the entire season, the show was slickly produced with a fantastic narrative. The producers managed to display the camaraderie of the team whilst also portraying the incredible bravery and resilience required in such extreme environmental conditions. The show featured stunning cinematography that provided viewers with a visual feast of the ice-covered Arctic Circle.

Overall, North Pole Ice Airport was a gripping and educational television series. It offered viewers an amazing glimpse into the daily running of the Arctic research station and the challenges that its staff faced. The show had been critically hailed for its engaging storytelling, excellent cinematography, and for bringing a new level of attention to the challenges of operating in one of the world's most fragile environments.

North Pole Ice Airport is a series that ran for 1 seasons (3 episodes) between December 7, 2012 and on Darlow Smithson Productions