Passenger numbers at Kelowna International Airport (YLW) are on a steady incline for 2010. The passenger count is currently 2.64 per cent ahead of 2009 and less than one per cent behind the all-time high numbers achieved in 2008.
“We are really pleased with this growth,” says Airport Director Sam Samaddar. “This past month was our busiest July in history, with 122,965 passengers – a 5.42 per cent increase over July 2008’s 116,638 passengers. Currently, we are sitting at 811,725 passengers which is right on target to meet the 1.6 million passengers by 2015.”
YLW is working towards its Drive to 1.6 Million Passenger Program and a phased approach to expanding the airport terminal to better serve the needs of increased passengers. The Drive to 1.6 program includes a new trans-boarder departures facility, upgrade to the outbound baggage system, new domestic arrivals and departures in the concours which will all take place between 2011 and 2016.
Drawings for the expansion program are expected to be unveiled by December 2010.
To accommodate the busy terminal and better serve customers, YLW has added customer service initiatives over the last few months such as the courtesy ride from the long-term lot to the terminal in a golf cart, the Junior Airport Ambassador volunteer program and free Wifi.
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