This page contains a Flash digital edition of a book.
Planning for


INCREASED Passenger Traffic at YLW


| BY TRACEY FREDRICKSON


E


ven the global recession hasn’t dampened the steady increase in passenger traffic at Kelowna International Airport. Between 2004 and 2009 YLW experienced extraordinary growth with passenger numbers increasing by 55 percent. A record 1.39 million passengers passed through the facility in 2008; while 2009 saw only a slight decline of 1.6 percent in passenger traffic, this was significantly less than the average 5.5 percent decline experienced by the top 32 airports in Canada. July 2010 was YLW’s busiest July ever with 122,965 passengers. August 2010 became the busiest month ever in YLW’s history with 131,914 passengers, a 4.11% increase over 2009 and a 2.89% increase over 2008. This year is expected to finish with numbers close to the 2008 record year.


All of which suggests YLW is well on target to meet the number of passengers expected to go through the facility by 2015, as reflected in its Drive to 1.6 Million Passengers Development Program. With business as brisk as it has been, YLW recently worked with consulting firms Leigh/Fisher and Office for Urbanism to ensure it is planning everything possible to accommodate the needs of its customers. This included looking at critical areas where the facility is currently operating beyond capacity, and ensuring a phased approach to development that allows for plans to be implemented – or delayed – depending on such factors as changing


consumer travel patterns or new industry regulations.


For example, with more US transborder and international flights bringing more passengers to the facility, the ability to better accommodate passengers in the Customs and Domestic combined area is key. Despite several expansions, both the International and Domestic Arrivals area is still undersized during peak periods for the volume of passengers it handles and the demand on this area will only increase. It is anticipated that the airport will need to handle 680 passengers per hour by 2015 compared to its current capacity of 480 passengers per hour. As well, new security regulations introduced earlier this year for US bound flights will require permanent modifications to the Departure Room.


To address these requirements, in 2011 the north end of the airport terminal building will be expanded to add a new Customs Primary Inspection Hall. The north end of the Departure Room will be renovated to allow for a new Trans Border Holding Room and a number of utility upgrades will be completed. With the last runway pavement upgrades now over 19 years ago the runway is long overdue for a major overlay, which will also take place next year. Other improvements planned between 2011 and 2016 include upgrades to the outbound baggage system, energy efficiency upgrades, creating an expanded


July 2010 was YLW’s busiest July ever with 122,965 passengers


Departure Room and a new domestic arrivals area to the south of the current terminal.


“We are constantly revisiting the Airport Master Plan to determine how we can meet the demands of increased passenger traffic today and in the longer term,” says Airport Director Sam Samaddar. “As we implement improvements, there will be some disruptions and we will appreciate the patience of passengers and the general public going in and out of the airport. We invite inquiries and comments at any time.”


Questions about what’s happening at YLW? Check the airport’s website, ylw.kelowna.ca


FALL 2010 | 5


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32