UPDATE: 6:51 p.m.
All flights arriving and departing from Kelowna International Airport (YLW) have been cancelled until Tuesday morning.
Flights in and out of YLW are impacted by the wildfires around the Okanagan
The White Rock Lake fire boundary has moved east to Okanagan Lake with a no-fly zone up to 10,000 feet above sea level.
Phillip Elchitz, YLW’s senior operations manager, stated that the airport is working with BC Wildfire and local government to reach an interim solution that would allow operations to resume.
“We appreciate travelers’ patience with this evolving situation. As with any adverse weather situations, travelers are reminded to check in with their airline for the most up to date flight information before coming to the airport.”
To check if your flight has been cancelled or not, check the airport’s website.
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ORIGINAL:
If you’re flying into or out of the Kelowna International Airport (YLW), you may need to check your flight status first.
Morning flights coming into and out of the Okanagan have been cancelled due to wildfires in the area.
Flights were first cancelled Sunday evening (Aug. 1) as the White Rock Lake fire boundary moved east to Lake Okanagan.
YLW’s senior operations manager Phillip Elchitz said this means there is a no-fly zone of up to 10,000 feet above sea level in the area, affecting approaches into the airport.
Arrivals from now until 1 p.m. have been cancelled, while departures until 3:15 p.m. have been cancelled.
Other flights into and out of Kelowna have been listed as on-time, but airport staff are urging passengers to check their flight status ahead of time.
To check if your flight has been cancelled or not, check the airport’s website.
The White Rock Lake fire sits at an estimated 32,000 hectares. Several evacuation orders have been issued for homes on the North Westside.
READ MORE: Kelowna International Airport flights cancelled due to White Rock Lake wildfire
@twilamam twila.amato@blackpress.ca
