News release

Tonight, the first Air Canada redeye flight will depart from Kelowna International Airport (YLW) to Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ).

The debut flight will depart Kelowna at 10:55 p.m. and land in Toronto at 6:00 a.m. Sunday morning, just in time to catch one of more than 430 Air Canada-operated and airline partner flights to destinations around the globe, including over 96 daily destinations throughout  eastern Canada, the United States and Europe.

Today, Sunwing Airlines announced expanded service to Mexico for YLW passengers this winter. Starting on December 15, 2018, weekly direct service from Kelowna (YLW) to Los Cabos (SJD) will operate Saturdays until April 20, 2019.

“We are excited for additional direct service to Los Cabos for YLW passengers,” said Sam Samaddar, Airport Director. “We’ve heard from passengers that they want to see more service to sunny destinations, and this is just one way we’re working to make this a reality.”

Today, Kelowna International Airport (YLW) welcomed one of the largest aircrafts to land at the airport, the Boeing 747 Special Performance (747SP).

The aircraft arrived non-stop from Shannon, Ireland to Kelowna for light maintenance at KF Aerospace.

“The arrival of the 747SP is a great opportunity to demonstrate YLW’s ability to accommodate larger aircraft on the airport campus,” said Sam Samaddar, Airport Director. “We know that our region has increasing demands for air service and the ability to land planes this size opens up lots of doors for us going forward.”

Pacific Coastal Airlines has improved its B.C. connectivity for YLW passengers with its recent autumn service announcement. Kelowna (YLW) to Cranbrook (YXC) service has been increased to seven days a week and the Kelowna to Victoria (YYJ) route will now have an early morning departure allowing for a full business day in Victoria, as well as better connections to the wider B.C. market. Additionally, the airline has added a late evening departure from Kelowna to Victoria on Fridays. The new flight schedule will begin Sept. 4.

Flair Air has announced additional flights for the 2018 summer season with new service from Kelowna to Calgary. Additional service has also been added on the Kelowna to Edmonton route, bumping it up to daily non-stop service.

“We’re excited about the additional flights that Flair Air will be providing,” said Phillip Elchitz, YLW’s Senior Airport Operations Manager. “The timing couldn’t be better with passengers starting to think about where they’d like to adventure this summer.”

The Kelowna International Airport (YLW) is renovating the White Spot kitchen from April 3 to June 27.

“The state-of-the-art kitchen renovations at White Spot will greatly improve capacity and speed of service,” said Sam Samaddar, Airport Director. “This renovation is part of a partnership with Skyway Group to improve service delivery to our customers.”

During the renovations, a Triple O’s food truck, donated by the White Spot Restaurant Company based in Vancouver, will be on site serving a limited hot food menu.

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 16 through April 2.  To help make your travel experience as easy as possible, follow the below travel tips:

Kelowna International Airport (YLW) is hosting the annual Spring Travel Show this Saturday, March 3 from 11:00am-3:00pm. The event takes place in the YLW terminal building and will feature more than 25 exhibitors including airlines, travel agencies, travel medical clinics and more.

Kelowna International Airport (YLW) served 1,893,470 passengers in 2017, an increase of 9.3 per cent since the previous year. This increase represents over 161,000 additional travellers!

August became YLW’s busiest month ever with 179,153 passengers passing through the doors, followed closely by December with 177,131 passengers.

Kelowna International Airport (YLW) is anticipating another busy holiday season, with over 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, in order to reduce travel-related stress.

YLW anticipates increased, but steady traffic flow from Dec. 18 through Jan. 7. The busiest travel days of the season will be Dec. 22 through Dec. 27. To help make your travel experience as easy as possible, follow the below travel tips: