soaring to new heights

In 2023, Kelowna International Airport (YLW), one of Canada’s 10 busiest airports and a key economic driver for our community and region, recorded over two million passengers and embarked on a $108-million-dollar terminal building expansion—the largest infrastructure project in the airport's history. Once complete, the project—which is fully self-funded with no impact to taxation—will double the size of the existing departures lounge, expand the security screening area, and improve the airport facilities to provide an enhanced travel experience.

In partnership with the Province, the YMCA of Southern BC and KF Aerospace, the City and YLW also opened the 86-space Kelowna Airport YMCA Child Care Centre. The project, which aligns with the City’s 2040 Official Community Plan to provide accessible, affordable and inclusive spaces to meet the needs of citizens living or working in the Gateway, received $3.8 million in ChildCareBC New Spaces funding from the Province.

Projects like this are investments in our city’s and region’s future. As an economic hub, the capacity of YLW is vital to support flights to move people and goods throughout the Okanagan and beyond. Between 2024 and 2033, YLW will invest approximately $422 million in upgrades to airport infrastructure to better meet the needs of our growing region.

Read the 2023 Annual Report to learn more.