Airline service is essential for connecting travellers to our destination. Tourism Kelowna works with the Kelowna International Airport (YLW) to support its activities and market to travellers in destinations within and beyond Canada. Below, you'll find a round-up of some recent news from YLW.
YLW Opens New Operations & Emergency Services Building
In mid-March 2026, YLW announced the opening of its new Operations & Emergency Services Building, a critical piece of infrastructure that brings the airport's operations and emergency services teams, along with associated equipment, under one roof, improving day-to-day efficiencies and emergency response coordination. Read the full press release here.
YLW Welcomed 2.3 Million Passengers in 2025
YLW reached a new milestone, welcoming a record-breaking 2,315,432 passengers in 2025. YLW also reached a record high for monthly passenger volumes with over 220,578 passengers travelling through the airport in December 2025, surpassing the previous record set only in August 2025 of 216,480 passengers. Read the full news release here.
YLW's Economic Impact Surpasses $2 Billion
In early 2026, YLW released the findings of its Economic Impact Study showing the airport's contributions to the local, regional, and provincial economy. The study highlights that in 2024, YLW supported 9,210 full-time jobs and generated a total economic output of over 2 billion dollars. According to the report, of YLW's 2.13 million passengers in 2024, 40 per cent were identified as non-resident visitors recreating in the Kelowna area. Read the full news release and access the full study here.
YLW's New Departures Lounge Set to Welcome Travellers
YLW's new departures lounge and security screening checkpoint opened to travellers on January 28, 2026. The expansion, which adds 5,590 square metres of new space to the terminal building, marks a major milestone for YLW's largest infrastructure project to date and for the future of air travel in the Okanagan. Read the full news release here.
Porter Launches New Route Connecting Kelowna and Ottawa
YLW and Porter Airlines announced the launch of a new direct route between Kelowna and Ottawa, with service beginning on May 13, 2026. The route will offer five weekly round-trip flights, connecting the Okanagan Valley with the nation's capital and Eastern Canada like never before. Connecting flights to Halifax and St. John's will be available, providing more connecting options for eastern Canadian residents to explore the Okanagan Valley, and vice versa. Read the full news release here.
YLW Honoured for Advancing Sustainability in Aviation
YLW was recognized on the international stage at the Airports Council International (ACI) North America & ACI World Annual General Assembly, Conference and Exhibition 2025 for achieving Level 3 of the Airport Carbon Accreditation (ACA) Program, an internationally recognized framework for managing and reducing airport carbon emissions. Read the full news release here.
SSP Canada Brings Okanagan Flavour to YLW
SSP Canada, a division of SSP Group, a leading operator of food and beverage brands in travel locations worldwide, opened two new dining concepts at YLW: Okanagan Vintners Exchange Gastrobar and Ellision Field Taphouse Kitchen & Bar. The openings reflect SSP Canada's commitment to bringing a true taste of place to airport environments, celebrating the flavours, producers, and community spirit of the Okanagan while meeting the needs of today's travellers. Read the full news release here.
