Federal government investing more than $18 million in Kelowna Airport

More than $18 million in safety enhancements for Kelowna International Airport are being funded by the federal government.

That includes $7.1 million for a Combined Operations Building for staff and infrastructure needed to provide emergency and maintenance services at the airport. An Emergency Coordination Centre will be housed next to it.

Another $4.5 million is earmarked for construction of runway end safety areas at runways 16 and 34. This will allow the airport to meet federal regulations that require all Canadian airports with more than 325,000 passengers per year on scheduled commercial flights to increase the safety areas by 150 metres on each end of the runway.

“We are very appreciative to receive this funding from the federal government as it will be critical in the recovery and future growth of YLW,” Airport Director Sam Samaddar said in a news release. “Investing in this airport infrastructure now is essential for our long-term growth plan. As a regional economic hub, the capacity of YLW is vital to support flights to move people and goods throughout the Okanagan region and beyond.”

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More visible to travelers will be $2.7 million to be spent on a biosecurity testing facility to enable onsite testing for COVID-19 and future viruses.

Another $800,000 will be used to replace the roof on the terminal building while $125,000 will go towards the design of improved runway lighting.

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