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Kelowna International Airport (YLW) is a mid-sized international airport serving the Okanagan Valley in British Columbia, Canada. Located about 11 km northeast of downtown Kelowna, it opened in 1946 and has grown into one of Canada's busiest airports, handling over 2 million passengers annually in peak years. It is a key gateway to the Okanagan wine region and nearby ski resorts such as Big White and Silver Star.
💡 Local Tip
Use the free cell phone waiting lot just off Airport Way to wait for arriving passengers without paying parking fees; it's a trick frequent visitors use to avoid the short-term parking charges.
🚖 Getting There
The airport is easily accessible via Highway 97, about a 15-20 minute drive from downtown Kelowna. Taxis and ride-sharing services (Uber) are available at the terminal, with a taxi to downtown costing around $35-$40. Rental car counters are located inside the terminal, and a free cell phone waiting lot is available for pick-ups.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What airlines fly to Kelowna International Airport?
A: Major Canadian carriers like Air Canada, WestJet, and Flair Airlines serve YLW, along with seasonal US and international airlines offering flights to destinations such as Seattle, Las Vegas, Phoenix, and Mexico.
Q: How far is Kelowna airport from downtown?
A: The airport is approximately 11 km (7 miles) northeast of downtown Kelowna, a drive of about 15-20 minutes depending on traffic.
Q: Is there public transportation from the airport?
A: BC Transit Route 23 provides bus service between the airport and downtown Kelowna, but it runs infrequently. Taxis, ride-sharing, and rental cars are more convenient options.
Q: What is the closest ski resort to the airport?
A: Big White Ski Resort is about a 45-minute drive from YLW, while Silver Star Mountain Resort is roughly an hour away.
AI-generated content · Generated Sep 27, 2026 · deepseek-v4.1-flash