Kelowna MLA wants provincial legislature to back reopening of YLW

• Letnick highlights massive job and economic impact of airport
• Air service down by up to 90% at YLW
• Airport generated $789 million in economic output pre-pandemic

Kelowna-Lake Country MLA Norm Letnick is asking all his colleagues in the B.C. Legislature to support call to the federal government to reopen Kelowna International Airport (YLW) to travel from beyond Canada.

He made a statement in the House on Tuesday highlighting the significance of the facility and why it’s crucial to get it welcoming international flights again.

“I hope my statement today serves not only as some recognition and gratitude for the thousands of staff at YLW and airports across B.C. who have kept them running throughout this incredible challenge of COVID-19,” Letnick said.

“But [it] also serves as a call to action for this House and all members to do whatever they can to convince our federal authorities to reinstate international status to the Okanagan's airport as soon as possible.”

Letnick explained YLW has suffered greatly due to COVID-19, with air service in 2020 and most of 2021 being down by up to 90 per cent.

“The Okanagan and Kelowna probably wouldn't be the same as they are today without YLW,” he said.

Letnick said the airport serves as a key economic driver for the province.

“Prior to COVID-19, YLW's total economic impact was 4,500 jobs and $789 million in total economic output to the province of B.C.,” Letnick explained.

Local MP repeats calls to Ottawa for re-opening

Meanwhile, Kelowna-Lake Country MP Tracy Gray, has again written to the Minister of Transport calling for the re-opening of YLW to international travel. Today, she followed up previous letters sent in late July and earlier this month with additional correspondence from local business and tourism leaders. They expressed concerns about the direct economic impact the continued closure to international traffic is causing.

One of those local stakeholders who added their voice to the plea to Ottawa is Michael J. Ballingall, who wrote as President of Tourism Big White Society.

“Destination BC is spending over $3 million promoting winter ski in British Columbia, in Washington State, Oregon, and California. We can’t handle the inquiries regarding air because we have no information on when it will start up again. We believe this is killing the good business we have built together over the last 20 years. "

Previously Gray had written to the federal ministry noting the ongoing closure to international travel is costing the airport an estimated $2.5 million, "...which does not even include the ripple effects to our hospitality, tourism and manufacturing sectors here in the Okanagan.”

“Despite being one of the top ten busiest airports by passenger volume in Canada, the government has refused to re-open the airport to international travel, while at the same time re-opening less busy airports.”

Transport Canada has not indicated when YLW will be reinstated for international flights.