Airport Advisory Committee appointments

Three New Appointments to AAC

Kelowna City Council approved the 2015-2018 Terms of Reference and three new appointments to the Kelowna International Airport Advisory Committee at its regular meeting on Monday.

Walter Gray and Andre Blanleil, who both retired from local politics at the end of their Kelowna Council term in 2014, were appointed as the community-at-large members. Meryle Corbett was appointed as the aviation industry representative member of the Airport Advisory Committee.

The membership of the Airport Advisory Committee includes representation from communities within the region that are served by the Kelowna International Airport.

The recent appointments bring the membership of the committee to 20 members, including those from the City of Kelowna (3), Central Okanagan Regional District, City of Vernon, City of Penticton, City of Salmon Arm, District of Peachland, District of Lake Country, District of West Kelowna, Kelowna Chamber of Commerce, South Okanagan Chamber of Commerce, Summerland Chamber of Economic Development & Tourism, Vernon Chamber of Commerce, Greater Westside Board of Trade, Westbank First Nation, Central Okanagan Economic Development Commission and Tourism Kelowna.

Elected officials from member communities are appointed to the Airport Advisory Committee by their respective Local Governments and serve a four-year term.

“YLW is the largest municipally operated airport in Canada,” says Airport Director Sam Samaddar. “We are governed by Kelowna City Council. The Airport Advisory Committee is chaired by Kelowna Mayor Basran and with the representation of its members, the committee provides collaboration from the entire region which is integral to the future of Kelowna International Airport and the region’s economic prosperity.”

As one of the top 10 busiest airports in Canada, YLW’s total economic impact is 2,730 jobs and $610 million in total economic output to the province of B.C.  Serving 1.6 million passengers in 2014, YLW has begun 2015 with a slight increase of 0.1 per cent ahead of 2014 and is embarking on multiple construction projects this month, one of which is a three-year $40M outbound baggage hall expansion.

For more information about flights and services, visit ylw.kelowna.ca.