Kelowna International Airport Canada Prepares For Record Breaking Fall In The Winter Travel Season

Published on September 24, 2025

Kelowna International Airport (YLW) is preparing for a record-breaking autumn successful nan wintertime recreation season, pinch important increases successful formation offerings and rider capacity. In 2025, airlines has added complete 2,000 flights to YLW, marking a 16% summation successful work compared to nan erstwhile year. This description reflects nan airport’s committedness to enhancing connectivity for travelers successful the Okanagan region. Notably, Porter Airlines has continued its regular work betwixt Kelowna and Toronto passim nan winter, expanding capacity. Additionally, Pacific Coastal Airlines has expanded its intra-British Columbia flights, and work to has increased, pinch destinations for illustration Puerto Vallarta, Cancun, and Los Cabos now much accessible.

Kelowna Airport (YLW) stands retired arsenic nan champion prime for travelers seeking a convenient and businesslike gateway to British Columbia’s Okanagan Valley. Its modern facilities, speedy processing times, and fantabulous customer work guarantee a seamless acquisition from check-in to boarding. Unlike larger airports, Kelowna offers shorter information lines, minimizing hold times and enhancing convenience. The airport’s easy accessibility, pinch various crushed proscription options, makes it perfect for some leisure and business travelers.

Expanded Non-Stop Sun Destinations

This winter, YLW is offering much nonstop flights to sun destinations than ever before. With nan summation of Los Angeles, nan airdrome now provides non-stop work to 7 celebrated wintertime getaways. Alaska Airlines will run regular flights betwixt Kelowna and Los Angeles from December 18, 2025, to March 18, 2026. Other destinations see Cancun, Puerto Vallarta, Mazatlán, Los Cabos, Phoenix, and Las Vegas, pinch flights operated by WestJet and Sunwing.

Record Passenger Growth

YLW has knowledgeable important maturation successful rider numbers, surpassing 2 cardinal travelers successful 2023, an summation of complete 18% from nan erstwhile year. This surge successful postulation underscores nan airport’s domiciled arsenic a captious economical driver for nan region. In 2025, nan airdrome is connected way to transcend 2 cardinal passengers again, pinch much than 1.3 cardinal travelers passing done successful nan first 8 months of nan year. 

Ongoing Terminal Expansion

To accommodate nan increasing number of passengers, YLW is undergoing a important terminal description project. The expansive project, funded done airdrome revenues and betterment fees, is nan largest infrastructure improvement successful nan airport’s 78-year history. The description includes a 60,000-square-foot summation to nan terminal building, doubling nan size of nan departure lounge, enlarging nan information screening area, and adding a caller parkade and a Sutton Place Hotel adjacent to nan terminal.

Tips for Travelers

As nan engaged recreation play approaches, YLW encourages travelers to scheme up and utilize disposable resources to heighten their airdrome experience. Passengers are advised to cheque formation schedules and parking readiness successful advance, particularly during highest recreation times. The airport’s website provides up-to-date accusation connected arrivals, departures, and services to assistance travelers successful readying their journeys.

Boosting Regional Tourism

The description of formation options and accrued rider capacity astatine YLW are expected to person a affirmative effect connected location tourism. With much nonstop flights to various destinations, travelers person greater elasticity and convenience successful readying their trips. This accessibility is anticipated to pull much visitors to nan Okanagan region, benefiting section businesses and contributing to nan area’s economical growth.

Looking Ahead

As YLW continues to grow its services and infrastructure, nan airdrome is well-positioned to meet nan increasing request for aerial recreation successful nan Okanagan region. Travelers tin look guardant to accrued connectivity, enhanced facilities, and a much seamless recreation acquisition successful nan coming years. Additionally, Kelowna’s scenic location provides travelers pinch stunning views of nan surrounding mountains and vineyards, creating an unforgettable commencement to immoderate journey. Whether 1 is flying domestically aliases internationally, Kelowna Airport offers a stress-free and personalized recreation experience.