Airport parking boost for UBCO students

• Parking deal between YLW & UBCO
• Shuttle service will run to campus
• Airport makes money during slow travel period

The City of Kelowna has announced a deal on parking for the University of British Columbia Okanagan (UBCO) campus that will help students while bolstering sagging revenues at Kelowna International Airport (YLW).

COVID-19 is still impacting travel at the airport, which is hurting their bottom line. The new partnership approval by city council means more revenue can be generated by the airport through utilizing their empty parking stalls. At the same time, the university needs more parking spaces with students returning to classes amid the easing of COVID restrictions.

This partnership will give students and staff at UBCO the opportunity to park at the airport and use a shuttle service to the campus.

The price will be $360 per semester, which is estimated to generate revenue for 2021 between $50,000 and $108,000 for the airport. This price tag is within the existing costs offered by UBCO for parking on its property. According to the parking services page on the UBC Okanagan website, parking on campus ranges from $70 to $90 per month.

The university also has a “Flex Permit” for students, faculty, and staff, which will be sold in packs of 10 days of parking via the Honk Mobile platform which is ideal for those attending campus no more than 10 days per month.

The partnership between YLW and UBCO will be implemented effective on September 20, 2021.