News release

Renovations to the Kid’s Zone are now underway to revitalize the space and transform it into an active play area for kids of all ages. The new Kid’s Zone will feature a tree-fort inspired play structure with a slide, and a cozy space for reading.

Other features include:

Today, Kelowna International Airport (YLW) hosted a multi-agency training exercise simulating an aircraft crash. More than 20 agencies were involved in this mock emergency to practice major incident skills and find improvements to the agencies’ current response plans. Flights at YLW were not impacted by the exercise.

Upgrades to improve the customer experience at Tim Hortons are now underway at Kelowna International Airport (YLW). The Tim Hortons located in the terminal before security screening will undergo improvements to revitalize the restaurant experience with new lighting, flooring, open-concept seating, and a re-designed counter and queueing area. Construction is anticipated to be complete by mid-October.

At approximately 2:06 p.m. YLW was notified of a possible suspicious item on board a WestJet flight departing from the airport.

As a safety precaution, emergency crews were dispatched to respond to the incident. The threat was deemed non-credible and normal operations of the airport have resumed.

Today, Kelowna International Airport (YLW) celebrated the inaugural flight to McCarran International Airport (LAS) in Las Vegas with ultra-low-cost carrier Swoop.

To kick off the celebrations, Power 104 and Beach 103 were live on-location to announce the winners to the Swoopcase Party contest, where nine pre-selected couples arrived at the airport with bags-packed for a chance to win one of two trips to Las Vegas. As a twist, all nine couples won and boarded Swoop’s inaugural Las Vegas flight from Kelowna.

Electric vehicle (EV) drivers can now get a fast charge at Kelowna International Airport, as well as 10 other strategic locations across the Okanagan and Kootenays, as FortisBC adds 12 new Direct Current Fast Charge (DCFC) stations to its EV charging network with the help of Natural Resources Canada and community partners. 

Today, Kelowna International Airport (YLW) celebrated the arrival of ultra-low-cost carrier Swoop and its inaugural non-stop flight between YLW and Winnipeg Richardson International Airport (YWG).

Service to Winnipeg marks the first of two destinations with Swoop operating out of YLW. Next month, Swoop will launch twice-weekly non-stop service from YLW to McCarran International Airport (LAS) in Las Vegas.

Kelowna International Airport (YLW) is pleased to announce new service to Las Vegas!

Swoop will provide non-stop service from YLW to McCarran International Airport (LAS), starting June 27, 2019. Flights will operate Thursdays and Sundays until October 24, 2019.

“We are excited to announce a second destination with Swoop,” said Sam Samaddar, Airport Director. “We’ve heard from the community that they want more non-stop destinations from Kelowna. We’re pleased to have Swoop offer non-stop service to Las Vegas, which is the Okanagan’s single largest US market for travel.”

Kelowna International Airport (YLW) is anticipating another busy spring break, with more than 100,000 passengers expected over the next three weeks. Passengers are advised to plan in advance and prepare for longer than normal wait times at the airport to reduce travel-related stress.

YLW anticipates increased, but steady traffic flow from March 15 through April 1. 

To help make your travel experience as easy as possible:

Consider alternate transportation to the airport

Kelowna International Airport (YLW) is hosting its annual Spring Travel Show Saturday, March 9 from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Guests can meet with airlines, travel agents, hotels and resorts to get helpful travel tips and information on popular destinations.

“This year, we have a fantastic lineup of new airlines and participants attending our travel show,” said Sam Samaddar, Airport Director. “With over $10,000 in prizes to be won, there’s no better time to attend to learn about the destinations available to the community.”