Expect long waits with only a pack of airplane pretzels as consolation.
Travellers may have noticed long wait times at Kelowna International Airport (YLW) now it香蕉视频直播檚 nearly back to its pre-COVID numbers.
Philip Elchitz, senior manager of airport operations at YLW explained that although the airport sees about 86 per-cent of its usual volume, the flight times have been compressed into morning slots for better 香蕉视频直播渃onnectivity香蕉视频直播� at larger airports, making it seem busy.
Prior to the pandemic, YLW managed 60 flights each day, spread throughout the day. Now that flight departures are condensed Elchitz said that travellers should prepare to wait.
香蕉视频直播淚t香蕉视频直播檚 very important for people to arrive two hours in advance for domestic flights.香蕉视频直播�
He explained that there may be long lines for checked luggage drop-off and in the security lines.
To simplify the travel process, Elchitz encourages people to check in online, print their boarding and baggage tags at the kiosk and know the rules about baggage on their chosen airline.
Over the Canada Day long weekend, Kelowna香蕉视频直播檚 airport saw travellers peak on Sunday with 6,400 passengers using the facility. This number is just under 90 per-cent of the 香蕉视频直播榦ld normal香蕉视频直播�. The new post-pandemic average for a non-holiday travel day is approximately 4,000 to 5,000 passengers.
READ MORE: 香蕉视频直播楽ummer of recovery香蕉视频直播�: Pandemic-stricken tourism industry sees signs of optimism
Elchitz said that Kelowna has rebounded better than most airports because the majority of the passengers using YLW are travelling for pleasure, not business. Leisure travel has regained popularity, while business travel may take years to bounce back, explained Elchitz.
Despite their resiliency, YLW has not been immune to Air Canada香蕉视频直播檚 staff shortages and subsequent flight cancellations.
READ MORE: Air Canada to slash summer flight schedule as airports face lengthy delays
Lines for security will be the longest on Sundays, Mondays and Wednesdays, said Elchitz.
Jacqueline.Gelineau@kelownacapnews.com
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