Image Credit: FILE PHOTO
January 12, 2017 - 4:30 PM
KELOWNA - Kelowna International Airport hit record breaking numbers last year, with just over 1.7 million passengers flying in and out of the airport.
This past year saw a 8.7 per cent increase from 2015 - almost 140,000 more passengers, according to a Kelowna aiport media release.
“This is great news not only for YLW but also for the entire region,” airport director Sam Samaddar says in the release. “The increase in passenger traffic means an increase in tourism, a boost to the regional economy and additional support for our local businesses.”
After the record breaking month of August, which saw 160,846 passengers (a 9.1 per cent increase from the same month in 2015), it was expected 2016 would be a record breaking year.
However, December surpassed expectations, being the airport’s busiest month ever. During the holiday month,166,537 passengers flew in and out of the airport - over 13 thousand more passengers than in 2015.
Samaddar says the reason for the influx of passengers is largely due to new routes and airlines, in addition to increasing capacity on flights to popular destinations. He also attributes the Okanagan to the airport’s success.
“The Okanagan’s status as a four season destination doesn’t hurt either, with world class skiing, wineries and agri-tourism drawing travelers to the region,” he says.
A three per cent growth is expected at YLW in 2017, according to the airport’s Master Plan 2045.
YLW is the 11th busiest airport in Canada, with 60 non-stop commercial flights daily.
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News from © iNFOnews, 2017