Kelowna airport closed to clear airspace for firefighting efforts
Posted August 18, 2023 2:04 pm.
Last Updated August 18, 2023 4:27 pm.
All incoming and departing commercial flights at Kelowna International Airport (YLW) have been cancelled Friday to clear airspace for aerial firefighting efforts.
The airspace surrounding Kelowna International Airport has been closed to allow aerial fire-fighting activity for the wildfires in the Kelowna area. All arriving and departing flights have been cancelled until further notice. Updates will be provided at https://t.co/gpupdwsW84.
— Kelowna International Airport (@ylwkelowna) August 18, 2023
YLW acting chief executive Shayne Dyrdal says if you had a flight planned, you should contact your airline to check the status.
“As we have more information as to when commercial aircraft might be able to fly again, we will provide more info, but right now the priority is just on safety for the community,” she said.
Dyrdal says the cancellation of lfights at the airport may be extended.
“As this is an evolving situation, we are unable to give a timeline of when the airspace will reopen,” the airport posted.
Please check in with your airline for the most up to date flight information before coming to the airport. As this is an evolving situation we are unable to give a timeline of when the airspace will reopen. Passenger updates will be posted at https://t.co/gpupdwsoiw
— Kelowna International Airport (@ylwkelowna) August 18, 2023
Some airlines have already responded to the closure. WestJet and Pacific Coastal Airlines both say they are offering passengers flexible and change policies.
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