Kelowna International Airport remains busy.
With the first six months of 2014 complete, passenger numbers at the airport have reached a new record showing 780,651 flying through the terminal, compared to 729,175 in 2013.
This puts the first half of the year more than seven per cent ahead of the same period in 2013.
“We are really pleased with these numbers,” said Jenelle Hynes, business development and community relations specialist.
“With this increase in passengers comes some strain on our service provider resources. Like many of the larger airports across Canada and the U.S., we are seeing longer wait times going through security at specific peak times.”
Travellers familiar with YLW might expect a quick check-in on-line from their home computer, drop their bag off with the airline and then head through security 15 minutes before departure time; but that can sometimes lead to disappointment and missed flights, says Hynes.
Domestic airlines state passengers should check-in a minimum of 45 minutes before the flight. Boarding times are usually 25 to 30 minutes before the flight time, and then add in a 10 to 20-minute line-up through security during peak travel times of the day when there are multiple flights leaving at the same time.
Passengers are now experiencing travel stress and in some cases are too late to board their flight,” said Hynes.
“An easy way to avoid the pre-boarding travel stress is to arrive 90 minutes before flights within Canada and two hours before flights to the U.S. and Mexico, and then head through security to the departures area as soon as possible.”
