International Flights Resume at YLW

Kelowna International Airport (YLW) announced that it will regain its international status for flights to and from Kelowna effective November 30. 

“Although our international status will be reinstated Nov. 30, it will take some time to have international flights operating again out of YLW. Some airlines have had to push back previously scheduled routes until 2022, due to the uncertainty of timing of YLW’s international status,” said Sam Samaddar, Airport Director. “We are thrilled to be able to once again connect passengers internationally and welcome visitors to our region, and are working closely with airlines to have these routes in place as soon as possible.”

Currently YLW is anticipating the return of the following routes in the near future:

• Alaska – Seattle – Dec. 16, 2021

• Sunwing – Varadero – January 2022

• WestJet – Phoenix, Los Cabos, Puerto Vallarta, Cancun – January 2022

These routes are subject to change.

What passengers need to know about international flights:

• COVID testing requirements

  • When departing YLW:

    • As of Oct. 30, all passengers, 12 years of age and older, are required to be fully vaccinated in order to board domestic or international flights. For more information on this mandate, please visit travel.gc.caopen_in_new or ylw.kelowna.ca/covid-19

    • Passengers are encouraged to talk to their airline to understand what the COVID-19 testing requirements are to enter their destination country.

    • The Whitecap RSC testing facility is available for any passenger who requires a COVID-19 antigen or molecular test (PCR test) prior to travel. Passengers wishing to access this testing can do so, for a fee and by appointment only, by visiting whitecapcovidtesting.com/kelownaopen_in_new or by open_in_newcalling 604-966-3777

  • When arriving in Canada:

    • Passengers can use ArriveCAN to provide mandatory travel information before and after your entry into Canada.

  • More information about Government of Canada requirements can be found at travel.gc.ca/Travel-Covidopen_in_new

  • For more information about what to expect when travelling through YLW, visit: ylw.kelowna.ca/HealthyTravel