By Greg Fry

Wildfires hurt passenger numbers at YKA in 2017

Jan 12, 2018 | 11:40 AM

KAMLOOPS — Last summer’s devastating wildfires put a dent in passenger numbers at Kamloops Airport in 2017.

Managing Director Heather McCarley says numbers dropped 2.5 per cent from just over 322,000 in 2016 to just over 314,000 last year.

“It is a slight decrease. We saw just under 8,000 fewer passengers in 2016 though our province experienced the worst fire season in recent history and smoke from those fires did affect flights at Kamloops Airport. Particularly in July, August, and September so we saw a decline in passengers during this time.”

She says the year ended off on a good note though with “significant activity through November and December with approximately 5,100 additional passengers during these months compared to last year.”

McCarley says she’s feeling optimistic looking ahead to 2018 too.

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“We’re looking forward to building on this momentum and certainly over the summer when we launch our new non-stop service to Toronto with Air Canada Rouge and that begins in June.”