KelownaÏ㽶ÊÓƵֱ²¥™s airport terminal may be small compared to major big-city airports, but apparently, itÏ㽶ÊÓƵֱ²¥™s big enough to confuse passengers about where to board their planes.
According to a report going to Kelowna city council Monday, feedback from airport stakeholders says passengers have trouble navigating the airside corridorÏ㽶ÊÓƵֱ²¥”which leads directly from YLWÏ㽶ÊÓƵֱ²¥™s departure gates to the planesÏ㽶ÊÓƵֱ²¥”they often get lost, they leave the secure area accidentally and they even board the wrong planes at times.
The feedback, part of a report by airport director Sam Samadaar, also says the location of the oversize baggage area, as well as the arrivals area, is congested, better signs are needed to direct passengers to security and the washrooms, more storage space is needed, the departure lounge is congested, noisy and confusing for passengers and more wheelchair storage space is needed at departure gates.
As part of a new master plan for the airport to take it to 2045, YLW is looking to expand the existing terminalÏ㽶ÊÓƵֱ²¥”including the departure loungeÏ㽶ÊÓƵֱ²¥”and make other improvements as part of a multi-phase project dubbed Soaring Beyond 2.5 Million Passengers.
Other work planned for the first phase of improvements would include separate new baggage carousels for international flights, an expanded pre-board screening area and another departure gate.
The airport is currently the 11th busiest in Canada, with 1.9 million passengers served in 2017.
The airport is owned and operated by the City of Kelowna and is financially self-supporting, with improvement over the last 10 years paid for, in large part, by the airport improvement fee charged on every departing ticket.
Other key findings of the 2045 master plan include:
Ï㽶ÊÓƵֱ²¥¢ Passenger volume is predicted to increase to 3.6 million by 2045
Ï㽶ÊÓƵֱ²¥¢ The current runway capacity and length are insufficient to meet future demand
Ï㽶ÊÓƵֱ²¥¢ The airport apron for parking planes will require five new plane parking stands by 2035 and one new terminal gate by 2045
Ï㽶ÊÓƵֱ²¥¢ Aircraft movements are forecast to increase 50 per cent, mainly from the airlines that use the airport
Ï㽶ÊÓƵֱ²¥¢ Current roadways and parking facilities at YLW require reconfiguration and expansion
Ï㽶ÊÓƵֱ²¥¢ Additional land will be required for the airport in future
A survey conducted for the master plan says more direct flights and flights overseas are the top priority of respondents, just edging out the need for more parking and shuttle services and better accessibility. More food and beverage choices ranked third and improvement to the arrivals and baggage claim areas came in fourth.
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