News release

The annual callout to Thompson Okanagan Artists to have the opportunity for a presence at Kelowna International Airport (YLW) in 2017 runs from January 1 to 31st. 

All artists who live and work in the Thompson Okanagan area, from Kamloops to Osoyoos, are welcome to submit their work for the art kiosk in the YLW departures lounge.  The kiosk, branded “Spirit of the Okanagan,” is managed by Suk’wtemsqilxw West Kelowna Arts Council (SWAC).

At approximately 2:00 p.m., 225 litres of jet fuel were spilled on Apron 1 at Kelowna International Airport (YLW), during fueling operations on WestJet flight 2164.

YLW initiated the Emergency Response Plan to contain the spill which has now been successfully cleaned up by YLW’s Operations Team.

For additional details on WestJet flight 2164, please contact WestJet’s media relations team at [email protected] (cc [email protected]).

The numbers are in and they’re even better than expected! Kelowna International Airport (YLW) served 1,732,113 passengers in 2016, an increase of 8.7 per cent since last year. That represents nearly 140,000 additional travellers!

December proved to be YLW’s busiest month ever, with 166,537 passengers, surpassing the record-breaking month of August.

With more than 100,000 passengers expected through the doors, this holiday travel season promises to be another active one at the Kelowna International Airport (YLW). Travelling during the holidays can be stressful, so be sure to plan in advance and prepare for longer than normal wait times at the airport.

YLW anticipates increased, but steady traffic flow from Dec. 17 through Jan. 3. The busiest travel days of the season will be Dec. 26, 2016 through Jan. 3, 2017. To breeze through the airport this season, follow the below travel tips:

On Nov. 21, the final Kelowna International Airport (YLW) Master Plan 2045 was approved and adopted by Kelowna City Council.

In March 2015, YLW engaged SNC-Lavalin and its consultants to update the existing Master Plan 2025. The integrated team developed the new Master Plan 2045 in support of YLW’s vision to become the best mid-sized airport in North America.

Kelowna International Airport (YLW)’s annual Winter Travel Event will take place on Saturday, Oct. 22, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Guests will be able to meet with air carriers, travel agents, hotels and resorts to get helpful travel tips and information on popular direct destinations, including Cuba, Mexico and the Yukon.

“We’re always happy to host this event,” said Sam Samaddar, YLW Airport Director. “It’s a great opportunity for locals to learn about new travel options from YLW and win some amazing prizes.”

New destinations, new airlines and growing passenger numbers have made 2013 a record-breaking year for Kelowna International Airport (YLW).

“This has been a tremendous year for the YLW community,” says Airport Director Sam Samaddar.  “We have a record number of airlines serving our region to a record number of destinations and we had each of the 12 months reach record breaking numbers.”

The City of Kelowna has entered in to a five-year lease agreement with Monaghan Golf Group, for the lease and operation of Shadow Ridge Golf Course, located at 3770 Bulman Road. Course operations will be passed on to the new operator on November 1, 2016 at the end of the golf season. The City acquired the property in January 2016, in support of the long-term land use strategy for the Kelowna International Airport (YLW).

Kelowna International Airport (YLW) and Skyway Group have teamed with De Simone Farms Ltd., a local produce distributor, to provide travellers with fresh, quality fruit they can take on the airplane to anywhere in Canada.

The new program, Farm to Flight, offers various in-season fruits, available for passenger purchase in YLW’s Departures Lounge gift shop, past airport security screening.