Cost of flying out of Kelowna going up in March

The second Airport Improvement Fee increase will hit people flying out of Kelowna International Airport as of March 1, 2020.

After processing 2.1 million passengers a couple of years earlier than expected in 2018, higher fees are needed to cover the cost of major facility expansions, Kelowna city council was told yesterday, Nov. 4.

Passengers had been charged $15 per flight out of the city for many years. That was boosted by $5 in March of this year with another $5 increase planned for next year. The second hike was approved by council yesterday.

The airport had developed a Soaring Beyond 2.5 Million Passengers plan for expansions that will allow more comfortable handling of that many passengers.

The expansion plans call for $220 million in spending through to 2029.

About half of that will be spent to improve and expand the terminal and add bridges while much of the rest will be less visible in the form of equipment, pavement and a new airport operations building.

Carriers will also be hit with two per cent increases to landing and terminal fees.

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