News release

Aircraft Incident at YLW

Indicator light malfunction

At approximately 4 p.m. on August 7, 2014 the pilot of a private aircraft on approach to YLW advised the air traffic control tower that the landing gear indicator light was not illuminating the green light that indicates that the wheel is fully locked.

Kelowna Airport's Aircraft Rescue Firefighters, Kelowna Fire Department, BC Ambulance and RCMP were on scene for the four alarm standby. The aircraft with three people on board landed safely at 4:10 p.m. without incident.

YLW releases total passenger numbers for 2020

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.

Know before you go: Tips for essential travel this winter

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.  

Celebrating Swoop’s inaugural flight to Toronto

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.

Keeping safety top of mind for Airports Safety Week

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.

CATSA to begin temperature screening at YLW

Starting on September 23, 2020, Canadian Air Transport Security Authority (CATSA) screeners will begin temperature screening all passengers before they depart from Kelowna International Airport (YLW). This is in addition to the health screening questions and the wearing of face coverings already required for all travellers.

Travel safely and with confidence at YLW

Kelowna International Airport (YLW) has implemented a series of new health and safety initiatives at YLW to ensure the public can feel confident when travelling through the airport, and know what to expect before they arrive.

YLW advises travellers to self-monitor

Kelowna International Airport (YLW) was advised by WestJet and the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) that a guest who flew on March 17 from Calgary to Kelowna on flight WS 3343 has tested positive for COVID-19.

YLW supports health agencies’ virus protocols

Updated March 16, 2020

Today, Kelowna International Airport (YLW) was advised by the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) that a guest who flew on March 10 on WestJet flight WS 3326 from Vancouver International Airport (YVR) to YLW has tested positive for COVID-19. All passengers of flight WS 3326 disembarked in Kelowna.

YLW is sharing this information to keep the community informed about the possibility of virus transmission.

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