Kelowna airport sets new record with 2.1 million passengers in 2024

Kelowna International Airport has set a new record for passengers in a single year.

In 2024, the Kelowna airport had 2,133,582 passengers, according to a press release from the City of Kelowna.

“This record-breaking number of passengers marks a significant milestone for YLW and the entire Okanagan Valley,” mayor Tom Dyas said in the release. “The growth in routes, destinations, and passenger volumes is a vital economic driver for our community, bringing more visitors to support local businesses while also providing residents with more convenient and efficient travel options.”

It also set a new monthly record with 211,493 passengers in December, beating the August 2018 record of 201,485.

“We are incredibly proud of the progress we have made in 2024 and are excited about the opportunities that lie ahead in 2025,” airport CEO Sam Samaddar said in the release. “Our focus remains on continual improvements to better serve our passengers, being a strong community partner and contributing to the economic growth of the region.”

READ MORE: Tourism boost in Thompson-Okanagan a silver lining to declining Canadian dollar

There have been numerous new flights added to YLW including WestJet’s announcement about three daily flights to Seattle and Alaska. Porter Airlines will also being flying from Kelowna to Toronto in May 2025.

The new passenger records reflect the fact that U.S. seat capacity was up 75 per cent and international seat capacity increased by 30 per cent from 2023.

“We are grateful for the collaborative efforts of our community and industry partners, whose contributions have been vital to our success in 2024,” said Samaddar. “Thank you to our passengers and the Okanagan community for their continued support.”

Kelowna’s airport is the tenth busiest airport in Canada and the second busiest in B.C.

There are $422 million upgrades planned for the airport between now and 2033. The upgrade funds come from airport revenue and airport improvement fees, not City tax dollars.