โฐ Minimum Connection Times
Domestic โ Domestic
60
minutes
Domestic โ International
90
minutes
International โ Domestic
90
minutes
International โ International
120
minutes
Interline Connections
120
minutes
๐ข Terminal Information
Kelowna International Airport is the Okanagan's main commercial gateway and one of Canada's busiest secondary airports, with a 9,039 x 200 ft runway 16/34, full towered operations, airport-of-entry customs, Category 7 firefighting, and apron space structured separately for airline, commercial, and FBO traffic. It operates on a much larger scale than a generic regional-airport template suggests.
YLW is in the middle of its largest terminal build-out to date. The airport's own project updates show a new departures lounge and screening area opened on January 28, 2026, as part of a multi-year expansion that also adds new food options, washrooms, baggage capacity, and future CBSA and arrivals improvements.
That matters because YLW is not just a local airport for Kelowna. It is the aviation front door for the whole Okanagan Valley, handling tourism, wine-country travel, ski traffic, cargo, and growing year-round business demand in one terminal campus.
๐ Connection Tips
Kelowna International Airport achieved record-breaking traffic with 2. 13 million passengers in 2024, ranking as Canada's 10th busiest airport and BC's second-busiest, with 8 airlines providing over 60 daily flights to 21 destinations. Air Canada, WestJet, Alaska Airlines, Flair Airlines, and Porter Airlines (new in 2025) serve the facility, with WestJet expanding Toronto service to daily flights and launching new Seattle routes with Alaska Airlines. The airport features an 8,900-foot runway capable of wide-body aircraft, with terminal expansion doubling departures lounge size by late 2026 as part of a $108-million Phase 1 project.
Between 2024-2033, over $422 million in infrastructure investments include the new 6-story Sutton Place Hotel (245 rooms, completed 2028) and 7-story parkade (1,000 stalls, completed 2027). Porter Airlines' new Toronto service beginning May 2025 adds competition alongside existing Air Canada and WestJet Toronto routes, while Alaska Airlines provides seasonal Los Angeles service. Ground transportation includes on-site Avis, Budget, Enterprise, and Hertz rentals, plus comprehensive taxi, Uber, and Lyft services throughout the Okanagan Valley.
The facility serves as BC's primary wine country gateway and winter sports access point to Big White and Silver Star Mountain resorts, requiring careful weather planning during mountain conditions. Summer operations must account for high elevation (1,421 feet) and temperatures exceeding 40ยฐC affecting aircraft performance. The $422-million investment program through 2033 positions YLW for continued growth as Western Canada's premier regional hub, with efficient single-terminal operations enabling quick connections despite record passenger volumes.
โฐ Minimum Connection Times
Domestic โ Domestic
45
minutes
Domestic โ International
90
minutes
Interline Connections
120
minutes
๐ข Terminal Information
Chilko Lake (Tsylos Park Lodge) Airport (CJH), also known by its TC LID CAG3, is a specialized private aviation facility located at the north end of Chilko Lake in the Chilcotin region of British Columbia, Canada. Serving as the primary aerial gateway for the prestigious Tsylos Park Lodge, the airport acts as a critical link for international eco-tourists, fly-fishing enthusiasts, and wilderness explorers. The airfield is positioned in a dramatic mountain valley and provides a seamless entry point to one of the most remote and pristine landscapes in the Pacific Northwest.
The airport features a well-maintained 3,200-foot gravel airstrip (18/36) that is specifically designed to handle the light turboprop and piston aircraft typically used for backcountry charters. While there is no traditional passenger terminal building at the airfield itself, the 'terminal' operations are fully integrated with the nearby Tsylos Park Lodge. All guest arrivals, departures, and flight briefings are coordinated through the lodge's main reception. The facility consists of an open staging area with aircraft tie-downs and run-up pads, ensuring a functional and efficient environment for private pilots and charter crews operating in the rugged interior of BC.
Commercial services at CJH are strictly charter-based and primarily support the lodge's seasonal operations. Most travelers arrive via private aircraft or dedicated lodge charters departing from Vancouver (YVR), with the flight providing spectacular views of the Coast Mountains and the azure waters of Chilko Lake. The airport's role is fundamental to the regional wilderness economy, facilitating the movement of high-end tourists to the Chilko River, famous for its world-class grizzly bear viewing and trout fishing. Ground transportation from the airstrip is provided by the lodge's fleet of 4WD vehicles, which meet every arriving aircraft to transport guests directly to their timber-frame cabins and suites. The airfield remains a vital infrastructure asset for the sustainable development and protection of the Tsylos Provincial Park region.
๐ Connection Tips
Chilko Lake Airport (CJH) is really a lodge-access strip rather than a normal airport connection point, and that changes the whole planning model. The key operational fact is that many guests connect through Vancouver's South Terminal rather than the main YVR terminal, which means the true risk is not inside the final wilderness airstrip but in how cleanly you transition from the commercial hub to the private charter operation. That handoff should be treated like an airport transfer in its own right.
If your main flight lands at Vancouver International, build enough time to transfer to the South Terminal operation without stress. A private wilderness charter does not behave like a major-airline departure bank; if you miss it, the consequences can be much more significant than just waiting for the next flight.
At the lodge end, the airport's value is obvious: it gets you directly into a remote part of the Chilcotin where road access is long and slow. But that also means the local side is intentionally sparse. Your luggage limits, pickup, and lodge instructions matter more than terminal amenities. CJH works best when Vancouver is treated as the protected commercial hub and Chilko Lake as the final wilderness segment. The smart planning is all in the South Terminal handoff and in making sure the lodge charter is the last well-buffered step of the day.
โ Back to Kelowna International Airport