YLW details expansion plans for $69M investment set to begin next spring

Kelowna city council has approved the provisional budget for 2020 and it includes a massive investment at Kelowna International Airport.

The airport will invest $69.9-million over the next three years beginning in March of 2020 as part of its “Soaring Beyond 2.5 Million Passengers” program.

While the investment was approved in Kelowna’s budget deliberations, the $69.9-million investment will be entirely funded through airport fees and will have no impact on local taxes.

Those fees include a $5 increase to $25 per departing passengers effective March 1, 2020.

As part of the expansion, YLW will complete the following projects:

• Expand the terminal by doubling the size of the existing departures area, expand security screening, and provide more retail, food and beverage options
• Addition of essential airside equipment, including equipment to clear snow from the apron, taxiways and runway
• Design of apron expansion to accommodate larger and more aircraft
• Design for upgrades to airside lighting and supporting infrastructure
• Consultation on a self-serve bag drop

In 2018, passengers totaled a record-breaking 2,080,372, a 31% increase or more than 486,700 passengers since 2015, becoming the 10th busiest airport in Canada.

By 2045, YLW is expected to serve 3.5 million passengers annually.