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Last month, airport manager Sam Samaddar said YLW’s international flight ban had cost the airport $ 2.5 million in landing fees and other revenue.
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Kelowna International Airport. PROVINCE
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The ongoing ban on international flights at Kelowna Airport amazes the city’s Chamber of Commerce.
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Chamber President Dan Rogers and Conservative MP Tracy Gray called on Transport Canada on Thursday to allow YLW to resume international travel.
“As one of the top 10 busiest airports in the country before the pandemic, we are surprised that YLW won’t be open for international travel when other airports across the country with fewer passengers have received the green light from Transport Canada,” Rogers said in a Thursday statement .
“Kelowna International Airport is a major hub in British Columbia and is having a massive economic impact in the region and province, and we need to see the federal government take immediate steps to help YLW return to the international community,” said Rogers.
Kelowna International Airport. PROVINCE
In 2019, Kelowna Airport was the 10th busiest in Canada in terms of passenger traffic. The nine busiest airports have been allowed to resume international flights, as has Quebec City Airport, which was not in the top 10 for international travel in 2019.
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Gray said she asked Federal Transport Minister Omar Alghabra in July what criteria would be used to determine which airports could resume international flights. She said Thursday she hadn’t received a response.
Last month, airport manager Sam Samaddar said YLW’s international flight ban had cost the airport $ 2.5 million in landing fees and other revenue. In a typical fall and winter, international flights accounted for around 20% of the total number of passengers at the airport.
Sam Samaddar, airport manager at Kelowna International Airport. PROVINCE
Michael J. Ballingall, senior vice president of Big White Ski Resort, says direct flights from Seattle to Kelowna benefit not only this resort but others throughout BC.
“The Seattle-Kelowna gateway with Alaska Airlines is incredibly valuable to the ski industry,” said Ballingall. “Big White, Silver Star, Revelstoke, Cat-Skiing and Heli-Skiing all take advantage of this gateway because customs are so much easier and faster than through Calgary or Vancouver.”
The Daily Courier asked Transport Canada for a comment.
