News & Resources
The latest Thompson Okanagan tourism industry news from TOTA, tourism businesses, and communities.
New Air Canada Flights to Vancouver Airport from Brisbane & Quebec City
Air Canada is resuming direct flights from Vancouver International Airport - YVR to Brisbane starting this July! The service will operate four times a week year-round. The return of the Brisbane flights is part of an expansion of Air Canada’s flights to the South Pacific as governments begin easing travel restrictions.
Air Canada continues to strengthen its presence in Quebec City by providing additional travel options to Quebecers with new seasonal service routes being offered to Calgary and Vancouver. In May, Air Canada operated its first non-stop service between Quebec City and Vancouver. These new seasonal domestic routes will operate until the end of October.
Air Canada is resuming direct flights from Vancouver International Airport - YVR to Brisbane starting this July! The service will operate four times a week year-round. The return of the Brisbane flights is part of an expansion of Air Canada’s flights to the South Pacific as governments begin easing travel restrictions.
Air Canada continues to strengthen its presence in Quebec City by providing additional travel options to Quebecers with new seasonal service routes being offered to Calgary and Vancouver. In May, Air Canada operated its first non-stop service between Quebec City and Vancouver. These new seasonal domestic routes will operate until the end of October.
Lynx Air Launches Affordable Air Travel Routes to/from Kelowna
Kelowna International Airport welcomed Lynx Air this week, after launching in March 2022. Lynx is currently operating two flights a week from Kelowna to each of Calgary and Vancouver, with fares as low as $39* to and from Kelowna.
As of June 29, Lynx will increase its service to Calgary to three flights per week, taking the airline's total flights in and out of Kelowna to 10 flights and 1,890 seats per week.
To commemorate Lynx's growing presence in Kelowna, the airline has launched a limited-time seat sale and is offering up to 50 per cent off all base fares to and from Kelowna. The sale will end on May 4 at 10:59 PT.
For details and to reserve discounted seats, please visit FlyLynx.com.
Kelowna International Airport welcomed Lynx Air this week, after launching in March 2022. Lynx is currently operating two flights a week from Kelowna to each of Calgary and Vancouver, with fares as low as $39* to and from Kelowna.
As of June 29, Lynx will increase its service to Calgary to three flights per week, taking the airline's total flights in and out of Kelowna to 10 flights and 1,890 seats per week.
To commemorate Lynx's growing presence in Kelowna, the airline has launched a limited-time seat sale and is offering up to 50 per cent off all base fares to and from Kelowna. The sale will end on May 4 at 10:59 PT.
For details and to reserve discounted seats, please visit FlyLynx.com.
Swoop Airlines Announces Air Bridge between Kelowna & Abbotsford
Swoop has added new flights between Abbotsford (YXX) and Kelowna (YLW) for travellers in immediate need of transportation or those travelling to assist in the recovery efforts and emergency response.
These flights are being offered for $79 to $99 all-in, from November 22nd to December 15. Flights are available 4x weekly until December 15, and 3x weekly from December 16 to January 9.
Swoop has added new flights between Abbotsford (YXX) and Kelowna (YLW) for travellers in immediate need of transportation or those travelling to assist in the recovery efforts and emergency response.
These flights are being offered for $79 to $99 all-in, from November 22nd to December 15th. They have also increased flights between Edmonton (YEG) and Abbotsford with fares starting at $49 all-in.
Flights are available 4x weekly until December 15, and 3x weekly from December 16 to January 9.
For up-to-date information on the Abbotsford International Airport (YXX) please visit www.abbotsfordairport.ca.
Flair Adding New Routes from YLW in Spring 2022 | Kelowna International Airport
Starting May 16, 2022 Flair will have three flights a week to both Vancouver and Victoria from YLW, Kelowna International Airport. Flair’s Spring 2022 schedule will expand from twelve aircraft to sixteen, delivering 33% schedule growth.
Starting May 16, 2022 Flair will have three flights a week to both Vancouver and Victoria from YLW, Kelowna International Airport. Flair’s Spring 2022 schedule will expand from twelve aircraft to sixteen, delivering 33% schedule growth.
Flair is adding new 737 MAX aircraft as it strives to achieve the lowest cost per seat mile of any Canadian airline. The aircraft deliver fuel savings and reduce the airline’s CO2 emissions by 14%. Lower per passenger emissions are a vital step in lowering Flair’s carbon footprint as it works to become Canada’s greenest and most sustainable airline.
All routes and schedule details can be viewed at flyflair.com
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. It will take some time to have international flights operating again out of YLW. Some airlines pushed back previously scheduled routes until 2022, due to the uncertainty of timing of YLW’s international status. 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
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
Swoop releases winter flying schedule, including flights between Kelowna International Airport and Toronto Pearson Airport
From Oct. 25, 2020 to Apr. 24, 2021, Swoop will connect Toronto and Kelowna with up to 4x weekly with service on Monday, Thursdays, Fridays and Sundays.
Swoop has released its winter schedule, announcing that the ultra-low fare airline will begin flights between the Kelowna International Airport and Toronto Pearson International Airport on October 25, 2020.
From Oct. 25, 2020 to Apr. 24, 2021, Swoop will connect Toronto and Kelowna with up to 4x weekly with service on Monday, Thursdays, Fridays and Sundays.
“We are very pleased to see Swoop return to YLW for the winter travel season,” says Sam Samaddar, Director, Kelowna International Airport. “This ultra-low fare airline has great opportunities for Kelowna residents to visit family and friends or enjoy a winter getaway with four weekly flights to Toronto served by good arrival and departure times.”
With safety as its number one priority, Swoop has implemented a robust set of measures to safeguard a safe and healthy travel and work environment for its travellers and crew. This includes stricter boarding processes allowing for shorter queue wait times, traveller screening measures, increased sanitization, and enforcing face masks to be worn for the duration of the flight.
“Our winter schedule is in response to a growing rebound in travel, as we know travellers are eager to plan their next getaway,” says Charles Duncan, President, Swoop. “We remain committed as ever to making affordable air travel accessible for Canadians who are looking to reconnect with family and friends over the holidays or are looking for a change in scenery this winter.”
“It is time to travel again, and that can be done responsibly and safely,” states Duncan. “We are focusing our efforts on encouraging travel with our ability to provide ultra-low fares to price-sensitive travellers.”
“Together with our airline and agency partners, we remain committed to providing a safe, hygienic and efficient travel experience, so passengers can travel with confidence through Toronto Pearson,” says Craig Bradbrook, Chief Operating Officer, Greater Toronto Airports Authority.
The announcement reflects the next step in Swoop’s recovery plans. The airline has remained operational throughout the pandemic, adjusting its network to reflect fluctuating demand.
Traveller demand, travel advisories, and health and safety conditions will be monitored over the coming weeks and months, which may cause adjustments to this schedule. For added flexibility, Swoop travellers have the option to purchase ModiFly, which grants them a one-time date and time change to their booking.
For more information, please visit FlySwoop.com.
About Swoop
Established in 2018, Swoop is Canada’s leading ultra-low-cost airline, independently operated as part of the WestJet Group of companies, offering point-to-point scheduled service to 23 seasonal and year-round destinations in Canada, the U.S., Mexico and the Caribbean. Swoop offers completely unbundled products and services, creating the unique opportunity for travellers to control their costs and customize their experience by purchasing only the extras they desire.
Swoop operates a modern fleet of nine Boeing 737-800 aircraft, equipped with in-seat power and Wi-Fi connectivity. Swoop’s mobile app allows travellers to quickly and easily book flights, manage bookings, check-in, view boarding passes, track flights and access Wi-Fi service in-flight. For more details on Swoop, visit FlySwoop.com.