After nearly two-and-a-half years of construction, the new Kelowna International Airport (YLW) departures lounge is now open to the public.
Travellers flocked to YLW in droves on Jan. 28, getting a chance to use the new amenities for the first time.
The opening of the new lounge represents a key milestone in the Airport Terminal Building expansion project, the first phase of which is set to complete later this year. In total, it adds 5,590 square metres of new space to the terminal building.
“This terminal expansion is an important milestone for Kelowna and the Okanagan,” said Kelowna Mayor Tom Dyas on Wednesday, Jan. 21, when the opening of the lounge was announced. “YLW is a critical gateway that supports jobs, tourism, and economic growth, and this investment will help ensure we can continue welcoming more visitors and connecting our community to opportunities across Canada and beyond.”
The upgrades represent a $108 million investment funded by airport users. Additionally, the project will have no impact on Kelowna taxpayers, said the City.
New features include:
- An expanded departures lounge that has direct connections to several gates to the airstrip;
- A new security screening area that utilizes CATSA CT scanning technology;
- More food and beverage options with the opening of the pre-security Ellison Field Taphouse and Vintners Exchange in the departures area;
- Navigation displays around the terminal.
Additional amenities include a new washroom concourse, pet relief station and new ‘grab-and-go’ food & beverage options.
On top of the upgrade, YLW is looking at renovating 1,200 square metres of its existing terminal.