Airport Terminal Building Expansion

Kelowna International Airport (YLW) is B.C.’s second gateway airport, connecting passengers and goods to the entire Okanagan Valley. As a regional economic hub, the capacity of  YLW is vital to support flights to move people and goods throughout the Okanagan region and beyond. This critical terminal expansion project will increase capacity by making efficient use of existing and new spaces, while minimizing YLW's environmental footprint and overall costs. The Airport Terminal Building (ATB) expansion will be crucial to ensure we can continue to accept air service and help bolster the regional economy.

In fall 2022, YLW began enabling works for the ATB expansion, Phase 1. Construction began in fall 2023, with Phase 1 set to complete in 2026.  Phase 2 is anticipated to start construction in 2030.

What's been done so far:

  • 2022 - YLW began enabling works for the ATB Expansion, Phase 1, in fall 2022.
  • 2023 - Construction began in fall 2023.
  • 2026 - The new departures lounge opened to the public on January 28, 2026… an exciting milestone in the ATB Expansion project, Phase 1.

Still to come:

  • Passengers will continue to see construction activities as work on the ATB Expansion, Phase 1, continues with a scheduled completion by the end of 2026.
    • Additional amenities will include a new washroom concourse, pet relief station and new ‘grab-and-go’ food & beverage options.
  • Phase 2 is anticipated to start construction in 2030.

Phase 2 includes:

  • expanded terminal building in order to relocate the domestic arrivals area to the south, including new higher capacity baggage carousels
  • repurposed existing arrivals area to provide a larger area for international arrivals and the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA)
  • further expansion of the Departures Lounge to increase capacity
  • relocated rental car, shuttle and tourism booths