YLW airport update Saturday: Christmas Eve travel crush
UPDATE: Dec. 24, 2022
While the cancellations and delays continue for flights in and out of the Kelowna and Vancouver airports, there is at least one positive so far today.
Vancouver International Airport (YVR) said on Twitter it was experiencing “major increases in aircraft movement” over recent days.
“We are expecting to operate 93 per cent of originally scheduled flights with 65,000+ passengers travelling through the airport,” the tweet at around 8:30 a.m. on Christmas Eve said.
Kelowna International Airport has yet to post its daily update, but its flight board is showing delays and cancellations for WestJet, Air Canada and other flights.
Click here for more from the Kelowna Airport.
Click here for more from the Vancouver Airport.
YVR UPDATE (08:10 AM) We are seeing major increases in aircraft movement over recent days and passengers are getting safely on their way for the holidays. We are expecting to operate 93% of originally scheduled flights with 65,000+ passengers travelling through the airport.
— YVR (@yvrairport) December 24, 2022
UPDATE: Dec. 23, 2022
Kelowna International Airport is expecting another busy — and perhaps frustrating — day for travellers.
As of 8 a.m. Friday, Dec. 23, there had been 26 flight cancellations and 10 delays, for both arrivals and departures.
About 7,000 people are expected to use the airport today, about 2,000 more than a typical day.
YLW says passengers should expect continued delays and cancellations in the coming days.
With most flights to Vancouver cancelled, YLW has partnered with a local company, Cheers! Okanagan Tours, to provide shuttle bus service between the Kelowna and Vancouver airports for the next few days.
“If road conditions allow, the shuttle will be running on Dec 24 and 25. More information is available on ylw.kelowna.ca/holidaytravel,” a news release from the airport stated.
WestJet announced earlier today it has cancelled all flights in and out of the Vancouver airport, along with the airports in Abbotsford, Victoria, Nanaimo and Comox until late this afternoon due to a storm at the coast.
The proactive cancellations have impacted 126 flights at the five airports.
YLW travel update for Dec. 23 – https://t.co/2UT6mo1xCI
— Kelowna International Airport (@ylwkelowna) December 23, 2022
UPDATE: 5:30 p.m.
Dec. 22, 2022
It has been another trying day for air travellers at the Kelowna Airport (YLW), which continues to experience delays and cancellations.
As of 1 p.m. Thursday (Dec. 22), there had been eight cancellations and 19 delays for flights arriving and departing out of YLW.
“There are currently incoming weather systems forecasted in the Okanagan (snow), and at our connecting airports, which could impact flights in and out of YLW,” a news release stated. “Some airlines have already cancelled flights for tomorrow (Dec.23) to/from Vancouver and Victoria. Passengers should expect continued delays and cancellations in the coming days.”
About 130 flights have been cancelled since Sunday (see list below).
The Kelowna Airport was expecting more than 7,000 arriving and departing passengers today, about 2,000 more than a typical day.
Additional information:
Sunday, Dec 18: Total cancellations – 44 (total, includes both arrivals and departures)
Monday, Dec 19: Total cancellations – 10 (total, includes both arrivals and departures)
Tuesday, Dec 20: Total cancellations – 55 (total, includes both arrivals and departures)
Wednesday, Dec 21: Total cancellations – 14 (total, includes both arrivals and departures)
Thursday, Dec 22: Cancellations as of 1 p.m. – 8 (includes both arrivals and departures)
Friday, Dec 23: Cancellations (as of 1 p.m., Thursday) – 7 (includes both arrivals and departures)