Owais Crawford
Kelowna International Airport, located in British Columbia, Canada, is referred to by the IATA code YLW. In 1946, the city of Kelowna purchased a 320-acre plot of land, previously known as the Dickson Ranch, to build the airport. The airport has grown significantly since its early days, with a recent focus on expansion to accommodate modern traffic handling standards. Celebrating its 75th anniversary in 2022, YLW has become an integral hub for aviation in the Okanagan region, attracting passengers and aviation enthusiasts alike.
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What You'll Learn
Kelowna International Airport's IATA code is YLW
The airport has a single runway and offers up to 36 commercial departures daily, serving around 248 departures per week. As of 2018, YLW is Canada's 10th busiest airport by passenger traffic, surpassing Victoria International Airport. This growth has led to the development of a Master Plan with an expected cost of $150 million to expand the airport and maintain modern traffic handling standards.
The history of Kelowna International Airport dates back to the late 1940s when it was known as Ellison Field, starting with a 3,000-foot-long grass airstrip and a small terminal building. In 1946, Kelowna residents voted to purchase the 320-acre Dickson Ranch, a tobacco farm, for $20,000 to make way for the airport. Over the years, the airport has undergone significant expansions, including the paving and extension of the runway, the addition of a new terminal building, an air traffic control tower, and an onsite weather office.
Today, the main terminal building covers approximately 76,000 square feet (7,100 square metres) and features 10 aircraft loading positions, half of which are equipped with jet bridges. The arrivals area includes three baggage carousels, accommodating both international/US and domestic arrivals. The airport also offers outdoor and short-term parking options, as well as connections to local transportation networks, such as buses and taxis, via Highway 97.
The airport's IATA code, YLW, is a unique identifier assigned by the International Air Transport Association. While the specific reason for the code being YLW is not publicly known, it is often the case that these codes are derived from the name of the airport or the city it serves, and are designed to be easily recognisable and memorable.
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The airport's location is 6.2 nautical miles from Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada
Kelowna International Airport is located 6.2 nautical miles (11.5 km or 7.1 mi) northeast of Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada. The airport is situated on Highway 97, which provides convenient access for vehicles travelling to and from the airport.
Kelowna is a city in the Okanagan Valley, in the southern interior of British Columbia. The city is named after an Okanagan word, "kiʔláwnaʔ", which refers to a grizzly bear. Kelowna is the third-largest metropolitan area in the province, after Vancouver and Victoria, and it serves as the head office of the Regional District of Central Okanagan.
The airport itself has a rich history, starting out as a 320-acre field purchased for $20,000 (nearly $300,000 in 2022 value) in 1946. The first flight took off from a grass airstrip at the north end of Kelowna in late 1947. Over the years, the airport has undergone significant expansion and development, including the addition of a new terminal building, an air traffic control tower, and an onsite weather office.
Today, Kelowna International Airport is a busy hub, offering scheduled air service to various destinations within Canada and internationally. It is currently Canada's 10th busiest airport by passenger traffic, handling up to 36 commercial departures per day, or approximately 248 departures per week. The airport has a single runway, which has been lengthened over the years to accommodate increasing air traffic. The passenger terminal has also been expanded to facilitate a larger number of passengers, with further expansion plans in the works.
The airport's location, just a short distance from Kelowna, makes it a convenient gateway to the city and the surrounding region. Its proximity to Highway 97 also facilitates easy access for travellers, contributing to its growth and popularity as a transportation hub in the area.
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YLW's runway length has expanded over time
Kelowna International Airport, also known as YLW, has a long history of expansion and development. The airport, located in British Columbia, Canada, first began as a 3,000-foot-long grass airstrip in 1947, known as Ellison Field. Over the years, YLW has undergone significant transformations, with a particular focus on expanding its runway length to accommodate increasing air traffic.
In 1958, commercial service started at YLW with Canadian Pacific Airlines offering flights to Vancouver. Two years later, in 1960, the runway was paved and extended to 5,350 feet. This extension marked the beginning of YLW's journey towards becoming a modern and well-equipped airport.
However, the most notable expansion of the runway occurred in 2008. As part of the Master Plan 2025, created by the Kelowna International Airport Advisory Committee in 2006, the single runway was lengthened to 8,900 feet (2,700 meters). This expansion was a significant undertaking, costing approximately $150 million. The plan aimed to ensure that the airport could handle modern traffic standards and keep up with the region's growing aviation demands.
Looking ahead, YLW has even more ambitious plans for the future. The Master Plan 2025 includes a proposal to further extend the runway to a length of 10,000 feet (3,000 meters) by the year 2025. This extension will enhance YLW's capabilities and allow it to accommodate larger aircraft and handle an increased volume of air traffic.
In addition to the runway expansions, YLW is also undergoing other significant developments. The airport is in the process of expanding its terminal building, aiming to double its size and increase its hourly passenger processing capacity to 900 by 2025. Furthermore, a 2,400-space parkade, new hotel accommodations, and safety and sustainability upgrades are also in the works. These enhancements are part of YLW's multi-year expansion plan, with an estimated investment of over $422 million between 2024 and 2033.
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The airport has a glass rotunda with a fountain and sculpture
The Kelowna International Airport in British Columbia, Canada, is a bustling hub with a unique artistic focal point—a glass rotunda that showcases a captivating fountain and an exquisite cylindrical glass sculpture titled "Escape from Stella Polaris". This sculpture is a true masterpiece, drawing travellers' attention and offering a glimpse of beauty and artistry amidst the airport's busy atmosphere.
The glass rotunda serves as more than just an architectural feature; it is a celebration of art and culture. The "Escape from Stella Polaris" sculpture, with its intricate design and captivating presence, transforms the airport's atmosphere. The rotunda, with its glass walls and open concept, allows natural light to dance off the fountain's waters, creating a serene ambiance for travellers to enjoy.
The airport's commitment to showcasing art doesn't stop there. The Kelowna Art Gallery operates a satellite site within the airport, bringing a diverse range of artistic expressions to travellers and visitors. This dedication to art and culture enhances the airport's overall experience, offering more than just a transit space but a destination that enriches the community and showcases the creativity that Kelowna has to offer.
As travellers move through the airport, they can take a moment to appreciate the mezzanine level's small observation area, offering a unique perspective of the airport's inner workings. The rotunda, with its fountain and sculpture, becomes a central gathering place, a meeting point for travellers and a memorable landmark for those passing through.
The airport's recent expansion plans, outlined in the Master Plan 2025, demonstrate a continued commitment to growth and modern traffic handling standards. As the airport expands its capacity to accommodate more passengers and flights, the glass rotunda with its fountain and sculpture remains a constant, welcoming travellers with a sense of elegance and artistry that sets Kelowna International Airport apart from others.
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YLW was once called Ellison Field
Kelowna International Airport (YLW) in British Columbia, Canada, was once called Ellison Field. In 1946, Kelowna residents voted in favour of purchasing the 320-acre Dickson Ranch, a tobacco farm, for $20,000 (nearly $300,000 in 2022 currency). This land would become what is now known as Kelowna International Airport.
In late 1947, an aircraft took off from a 3,000-foot-long grass airstrip with a small terminal building at the north end of Kelowna. This was the first flight to take off from what was then called Ellison Field. Over the years, the airport has undergone significant expansion and development to accommodate increasing air traffic and passengers.
By 1958, commercial service to Vancouver was introduced by Canadian Pacific Airlines. In the 1960s, the runway was paved and extended to 5,350 feet, and a new terminal building, an air traffic control tower, and an onsite weather office were constructed. During the late 1960s to the mid-1980s, Pacific Western Airlines was the primary passenger air carrier serving the airport, offering nonstop and direct flights to various destinations in Canada.
The airport has continued to expand and modernize its facilities to keep up with growing demand. In 2006, the Kelowna International Airport Advisory Committee created the Master Plan 2025, outlining a $150 million expansion project. The runway was lengthened to 8,900 feet by 2008 and is planned to extend further to 10,000 feet by 2025. The passenger terminal has also been expanded, with plans to nearly double its size to accommodate up to 900 passengers per hour by 2025.
YLW has experienced unprecedented growth and, in 2018, became Canada's 10th busiest airport by passenger traffic, surpassing the Victoria International Airport. Celebrating its 75th anniversary in 2022, YLW continues to be a significant aviation hub in the region, serving multiple destinations across Canada, the United States, and Mexico.
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Frequently asked questions
YLW is the International Air Transport Association (IATA) code for Kelowna Airport.
YLW is derived from the airport's International Air Transport Association (IATA) code.
The name YLW was derived from the airport's location in Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada. The airport first began as a 3,000-foot grass airstrip called Ellison Field in 1947.
Kelowna Airport is also known as Kelowna International Airport (KIA). The airport is located in Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada, and is the tenth busiest airport in the country.
