Kelowna International Airport - YLW

Name

Kelowna International Airport - YLW

Legal name

City of Kelowna

Website

https://ylw.kelowna.ca

Company type

Private

Founded year

1946

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Airport Operations

NAICS

Airport Operations (48811), Other Airport Operations (488119)

SIC

Airports, Flying Fields & Airport Terminal Services (4581)

akta.pro primary industry

Airport Ground Transport Terminals (Rail/Bus/Coach) (THAIALAG)

akta.pro secondary industry

Airport Full-Service Hotels (THAGAAAB)

Keywords

• Commercial airport operations
• Air passenger services
• Aviation infrastructure
• Airport parking services
• Airline route development

Headquarters

HQ city

Kelowna

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Infrastructure, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Airport Improvement Fee: Each departing passenger pays a fee collected by airlines on behalf of YLW, used to fund capital projects for airport infrastructure construction and improvements.
2. Landing Fees: Landing fees based on the weight of airplanes landing at YLW, paid by airlines. Fees help recover costs associated with operating and maintaining airside infrastructure.
3. Terminal Fees: Terminal fees based on number of seats on aircraft, paid by airlines. Fees help recover costs associated with operating the terminal building.
4. Non-aeronautical Revenues: Revenues from parking, car rentals, leases, food and beverage sales, and advertising.
5. Terminal Building Advertising: Advertising opportunities in arrivals and departures areas targeting two million annual passengers plus accompanying family and friends.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Kelowna International Airport (YLW) operates a commercial regional airport offering scheduled passenger air travel with 80+ daily non-stop flights to 21 direct destinations via eight airline partners, alongside terminal facilities for parking, dining, retail, and accessibility services. The airport collects landing fees, terminal fees, and Airport Improvement Fees from airlines and passengers, while generating non-aeronautical revenue from parking, car rentals, concessions, advertising, and ground transportation operations.

Product overview

Kelowna International Airport (YLW) is a municipal airport offering comprehensive passenger services including air travel (over 80 daily non-stop commercial flights to 21 direct routes), parking facilities (short-term, long-term, valet, and Gold Pass options), dining and retail (award-winning Ellison Field Taphouse, Vintners Exchange, White Spot, Tim Hortons, Subway, Okanagan Gifts), and passenger amenities (free Wi-Fi, Family Adventure Zone, Parenting Room, Accessibility Services). The airport operates major infrastructure projects including the ATB Expansion (Phase 1 completing 2026) and Environmental Sustainability Program (Level 3 ACA accredited). Additional services include Airport Ambassador Program with therapy dogs, Farm to Flight produce program, YMCA Child Care Centre, and aviation navigation through RNP-AR technology. The airport serves as an economic hub with development opportunities and supports aviation education through the YLW Scholarship Fund.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Farm to Flight: Program providing travellers with fresh, quality Okanagan fruit they can take on airplanes to destinations across Canada.

Products and services

• Parking Services Comprehensive parking facilities for passengers, visitors, and staff including Short-Term Lot (167 spaces), Long-Term Lot A (462 spaces), Staff and Aircrew Lot (430 spaces), Valet Parking, Gold Pass (six-month prepaid subscription), and a Drop&Go service for peak capacity periods. Features TIBA Mobile Access app for touchless entry/exit.
• RNP-AR Navigation Approach Services Required Navigation Performance Authorization Required flight approaches enabling precise satellite-guided aircraft navigation through mountainous terrain. Provides airlines with reliable approach capability in challenging weather conditions, reducing weather-related delays and diversions while improving fuel efficiency and reducing emissions.
• Airport Improvement Fee (AIF) Per-passenger fee of $25 charged to each departing (non-connecting) passenger, collected by airlines on behalf of YLW. Funds capital projects for airport infrastructure construction and improvements.
• Landing and Terminal Fees Usage-based fees charged to airlines: landing fees based on aircraft weight and terminal fees based on seat count. These fees help recover costs associated with operating and maintaining airside infrastructure and the terminal building.
• Terminal Building Advertising Advertising opportunities in the terminal arrivals and departures areas reaching two million annual passengers plus accompanying family and friends. Managed by Pattison Outdoor advertising with regional sales contact Ed Kremenik, BC Regional Sale Manager.
• Commercial Land Development Opportunities Commercial land development opportunities at YLW including West Lands (retail/commercial/hospitality, 0.5-4 acres) and East Lands (aviation/industrial, 1-40 acres). Offers competitive lease rates, long runway access, and proximity to Highway 97 and downtown Kelowna.
• Wildlife Management Program Year-round aviation safety service monitoring and managing wildlife risks to aviation through deterrents, habitat management, staff training, and community partnerships to reduce bird and animal strikes.
• Environmental Sustainability Program Comprehensive environmental management program including GHG Reduction Policy targeting 50% reduction in Scope 1 & 2 emissions per passenger by 2030, carbon neutrality by 2030, and net-zero by 2040. Includes renewable diesel transition, vehicle electrification, LED lighting upgrades, geo-exchange field, and solar PV installation.
• Accessibility Services Comprehensive accessibility services for passengers with disabilities including accessible parking, automatic doors, covered loading bridges, accessible washrooms, Mobilift and passenger loading ramps, elevators, lowered check-in counters, security escort passes, priority check-in kiosks, and animal relief areas before and after security. Includes autism travel resources developed with Canucks Autism Network.
• Solar E-Bike Hub Solar-powered e-bike charging hub providing lock-up parking and electric charging for up to eight bikes or scooters, with bike repair tool station and air pump. Features onboard battery pack and backup grid connection for year-round use, supporting active commuting and connection to Okanagan Rail Trail.
• New Departures Lounge and Security Screening Area New departures lounge and security screening facility opened on January 28, 2026 as part of the Airport Terminal Building Expansion Phase 1. Includes expanded departures lounge, new security screening area, direct access to south gates, and improved wayfinding.
• Operations and Emergency Services Building (OESB) New Operations and Emergency Services Building completed in fall 2025, housing Airport Operations Specialists/Firefighters, Mechanics, Management and associated equipment. Fully electric building with in-ground heating, insulated bay doors, and solar PV installation. Also home to KF Centre for Excellence.

Quantifiable outcome

• 2,315,432 passengers served in 2025 (all-time high), up from 737,447 in 2020 during pandemic
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration5 records

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• #NotInMyCitycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Partnership to raise awareness about human trafficking and sexual exploitation of youth in the Okanagan. YLW implemented mandatory training program for employees; more than 1,400 employees have completed this training. Partnership connects YLW with local RCMP and Child Advocacy Centre.
• NAV CANADAcoreTechnology or IntegrationPartnership to implement RNP-AR (Required Navigation Performance Authorization Required) navigation approaches for precise aircraft navigation through mountainous terrain. Introduced additional RNP-AR approach in March 2024 for runway 34 south arrivals.
• Canucks Autism NetworkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to develop autism travel resource kits assisting families and individuals living with autism prepare for air travel. Resources include tips, storybooks, checklists, and airport maps.
• Vancouver International AirportminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with YVR to jointly develop autism travel resources for families and individuals living with autism.
• YMCA of Southern BCcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to operate Kelowna Airport YMCA Child Care Centre on YLW campus. Province provided $3.8 million funding with $2.5 million additional for expansion. Centre provides 86 spaces for infant/toddler and 3-5 year old care.
• KF AerospacecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with KF Aerospace as one of the partners in the Kelowna Airport YMCA Child Care Centre project. KF Aerospace is also YLW's oldest tenant with multiple hangars.
• SSP CanadacoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSSP Canada operates food and beverage concepts at YLW including Tim Hortons, White Spot, Subway, and Ellison Field Taphouse. Partnership brings local Okanagan flavour to airport travelers.
• BC Ale TrailminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with BC Ale Trail for Ellison Field Taphouse featuring rotating local craft beer lineup with direct connection to Okanagan breweries and wineries.
• EquansminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerPartnership for green cleaning program where all cleaning products meet Green Seal or EcoLogo standards.
• The Sutton Place HotelscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for six-storey, 245-room Sutton Place Hotel Kelowna and seven-storey 1,000-stall parkade adjacent to new terminal building. Hotel expected completion 2028, parkade 2027.
• BC Aviation CouncilminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership through YLW Scholarship Fund supporting aviation and aerospace students in the Okanagan region. BCAC administers scholarship applications.
• Pattison OutdoorcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAdvertising partner managing terminal building advertising in arrivals and departures areas reaching two million annual passengers. Contact: Ed Kremenik, BC Regional Sale Manager.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Regional players

• Reno-Tahoe International Airport: US mountain west regional airport (~4M passengers) serving a tourism catchment (skiing, Lake Tahoe). Comparable function as a regional gateway for leisure and outdoor recreation travel, with similar challenges around seasonality and catchment concentration.
• Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport: US mountain west tourism-dependent airport (~2.5M passengers) serving Yellowstone/Montana ski destinations. Comparable in reliance on leisure travel, seasonal demand, and rapid post-pandemic growth trajectory.
• Spokane International Airport: US Pacific Northwest regional airport (~4M passengers) serving a similar geographic role in eastern Washington/Idaho. Comparable mid-sized regional catchment with tourism and business demand mix, providing useful cross-border benchmarking.

Broad incumbents

• Calgary International Airport: Major Canadian hub airport (~18M passengers) and WestJet's primary base. YLW offers direct Calgary service as one of its top routes, and the two airports are functionally linked through WestJet's network strategy.
• Vancouver International Airport: Canada's second-busiest airport and BC's primary gateway with 25M+ passengers. YLW has a formal partnership with YVR (autism travel resources) and YVR is the dominant alternative for Okanagan travelers seeking international connectivity, making it the most significant broad incumbent peer.
• Edmonton International Airport: Larger Canadian airport authority (8M+ passengers annually) operating as a regional hub. Overlaps with YLW on WestJet service and serves as a connecting point for Okanagan travelers, making it a broad incumbent peer in the Western Canadian airport landscape.

Direct peers

• Abbotsford International Airport: BC-based regional airport serving the Fraser Valley with comparable low-cost carrier (Flair) presence and growing passenger volumes. Directly comparable in role as an alternative to YVR within British Columbia's airport system.
• Saskatoon John G. Diefenbaker International Airport: Mid-sized Canadian regional airport with similar passenger throughput (~1.5-2M annually) and comparable role serving a single regional catchment. Operates with a similar mix of WestJet, Air Canada, and regional carriers.
• Victoria International Airport: Canadian regional airport of similar scale (~2M passengers annually) serving Vancouver Island with comparable role as a secondary BC gateway. Similar municipal/regional ownership structure, multi-airline service model, and tourism/business mix make it the closest functional peer to YLW.
• Quebec City Jean Lesage International Airport: Canadian regional hub with comparable passenger volume (~2M annually) and similar function as a secondary gateway within its province. Operates a comparable multi-airline scheduled service model with a strong leisure/business mix.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/ylwkelowna
• Facebookfacebook.com/ylw.kelownaairport
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/kelowna-international-airport-ylw
• Instagraminstagram.com/ylwkelowna

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Kelowna International Airport - YLW