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By Corey Fischer

Busy Season Prepares For Take Off

Dec 21, 2017 | 9:29 AM

August is the busiest time of year for the Kelowna International Airport — but the Christmas-New Years period is a close second.

Airport Director Sam Samaddar says their peak travel days start this weekend.

“The assessments that we’ve done is that the 23rd and 24th and the 26th and 27th are going to be busy, busy travel days. We’re expecting over 100,000 passengers over the next three weeks,” Samaddar tells Beach Radio News.

The main advice for travellers is to get a ride to the airport as parking is limited — not to mention expensive — and to get there at least two hours before your departure time.

Samaddar says Christmas gifts can be a security issue.

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“If you are taking any presents with you on board the aircraft, we suggest you do not wrap them because if the security officers need to further inspect those items, they need to open it.”

There are a number of parking options available to travellers, including short and long-term, curbside and valet. YLW also has a new cell phone waiting area near the airport plaza.

As one of the top 11 busiest airports in Canada, YLW served 1.7 million passengers in 2016, and offers more than 60 daily non-stop commercial flights with seven airline partners.

For more information, visit ylw.kelowna.ca

by Corey Fischer

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