Kelowna International Airport (YLW) has announced the next phase of its capital development program to meet unprecedented levels of passenger growth.
Kelowna City Council approved $67.3 million for the construction of YLW’s expansion, its largest expansion to date. As part of the Soaring Beyond 2.5 Million Passengers program, YLW will invest the most ever in its 72-year history – $69.9 million back into the airport over the next three years. Funded through Airport Improvement Fees, this capital development program has no impact on taxation.
In 2018, passengers totaled a record-breaking 2,080,372, a 31 per cent increase or more than 486,700 passengers since 2015—becoming the 10th busiest airport in Canada.
“With this investment, we can begin construction in the spring of 2020 to better serve more passengers,” said Sam Samaddar, airport director.
As part of the expansion, YLW will complete the following projects:
- Expand the terminal by doubling the size of the existing departures area, expand security screening, and provide more retail, food and beverage options.
- Addition of essential airside equipment, including equipment to clear snow from the apron, taxiways and runway.
- Design of apron expansion to accommodate larger and more aircraft.
- Design for upgrades to airside lighting and supporting infrastructure.
- Consultation on a self-serve bag drop.
Starting in March 2020, terminal expansion construction is expected to begin and continue until 2023.
