Diversified aboriginal cultures, abundant natural resources, and unique climate and landforms are emblematic of the arctic region in Canada. Due to the inaccessible location and severely harsh climate conditions, air transportation is the most common means of getting supplies in and providing people mobility. According to Transport Canada, eighty percent of remote northern airports are using gravel runways, but severe issues arise while maintaining their operations, such as rutting, frost action, segregation, etc. Therefore, gravel runways require considerable upkeep to ensure that safe conditions are maintained for aircraft landing and taking off. This study herein focuses on investigating the operation and maintenance procedures at a remote representative airport in the arctic region. Data for air traffic characteristics, climate conditions, and current maintenance and repair practices were collected and analyzed. Field tests on the distress, roughness, friction, density, and bearing strength were conducted to evaluate the runway surface conditions. Lab characterizations of the on-site gravel materials, including gradation, compaction, and bearing strength, were also performed to compare some of the in-situ test results and identify issues in the maintenance activities. Finally, based on the analysis results, this study provides comments and recommendations to improve gravel runway operation and maintenance in the arctic region of Canada in the future.