News release

At approximately 10:32 a.m., a privately registered Quest Kodiak on approach to YLW, advised the air traffic control tower of a potential mechanical issue.

As a safety precaution, emergency response teams were dispatched for the standby.

The aircraft landed safely at approximately 10:37 a.m. There was no disruption to scheduled flight service at YLW.

At approximately 10:41 a.m., a privately owned Cessa Citation advised the air traffic control tower of an issue with overheating brakes, while taxiing to the runway.

Kelowna International Airport’s Aircraft Rescue Firefighting team was dispatched to assist the aircraft and cool the brakes.

Passengers are being deplaned and the aircraft will be towed to the hangar for inspection. There was no disruption to scheduled flight service at YLW.

At approximately 0840h a North Cariboo Air aircraft, operating on behalf of Pacific Coastal Airlines on approach to YLW from Victoria, advised the air traffic control tower that there were indications that there could be issues with the landing gear.

As a safety precaution, emergency response teams have been dispatched for the standby. Additional information will be provided as soon as it’s available.

Update 10:00 a.m.

The aircraft landed safely at approximately 0955. There was no disruption to scheduled flight service at YLW.

At approximately 0730h today, a private Cessna Citation aircraft, which departed from the Vernon Regional Airport, advised the Kelowna International Airport (YLW) air traffic control tower that there were indications that there could be issues with the landing gear.

The aircraft was diverted to YLW and as a safety precaution, emergency response teams were dispatched for the standby. The aircraft landed safely at approximately 0744. There was no disruption to scheduled flight service at YLW.

Kelowna International Airport (YLW) is introducing an app-based contactless payment option for airport parking. Customers at YLW can now use the PayByPhone mobile app to pay for parking at meters located along the front curb, across from the terminal.

Kelowna International Airport (YLW) has released its final passenger numbers for 2020, with figures showing more than 700,000 passengers travelled through the airport last year.

In 2020, passengers totalled 737,447, a 64 per cent decrease or 1,294,572 fewer passengers than in 2019 -- passenger levels not seen since 1997. YLW remains optimistic that travellers will return to the skies in the future when it’s safe to do so; however, the airport does not expect to see pre-pandemic passenger numbers return until 2024, at the earliest.

Kelowna International Airport (YLW) is preparing for an essential holiday travel season to help those who need to travel this winter, get where they need to go. 

Typically, during the holiday season, YLW would see over 100,000 passengers through the terminal over a three-week period. While traffic through the airport will be reduced, passengers are advised to plan ahead and understand travel restrictions and requirements to ensure a safe and healthy trip.  

On Sunday, October 25, 2020, Kelowna International Airport (YLW) celebrated the arrival of ultra-low-cost carrier Swoop and its inaugural non-stop flight between YLW and Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ).

This fall and winter Swoop will provide non-stop service from YLW to YYZ four times per week. Flights depart from Kelowna on Sundays, Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays operating with modern Boeing 737-800 aircraft. Service with Swoop is scheduled to operate from October 25, 2020 to April 24, 2021.

Today, Kelowna International Airport (YLW), along with 27 airports across Canada, kicked off Canadian Airports Safety Week, an airport-led initiative to promote healthy and safe work practices among airport employees.