File photo (image credit - CFJC Today)

By Michael Reeve

NEW FLIGHT OPTIONS

New flight to Edmonton first of many initiatives at Kamloops Airport

Feb 13, 2023 | 4:19 PM

KAMLOOPS — The air travel industry has been one of the slowest to return to normal after the COVID-19 pandemic. As the Kamloops Airport rebounds, it has secured a new route, courtesy Flair Airlines which will see travelers head off to Edmonton.

“We need to keep on top of recruiting competitors airlines. It will bring down the cost for our residents to fly. But also we need more opportunities to connect throughout the world,” said Bill Sarai, President of the Kamloops Airport Authority.

Sarai was quick to mention that this is just a start at the airport and conversations are ongoing to bring more airlines whether discount or not, and more routes to YKA.

“Everything is on the table. What ever we can bring, added services and routes to Kamloops, we will do our utmost best. With additions of Tourism Kamloops, Sun Peaks, we are all on-board to increase our regions reliability on airlines,” said Sarai.

Two and Out

PETERS: Believe it or not, there is still reason to be optimistic about local media

12h ago

Looped In

LOOPED IN WITH NIKKI OMEN: June 5, 2025

Jun 05, 2025

Sound Off

SOUND OFF: Draconian laws confirm the authoritarian nature of the NDP government

Jun 05, 2025

While residents will undoubtedly benefit from more options, so too will the local economy as Kamloops will become more accessible to the world.

Tourism Kamloops CEO Monica Dickinson stated that currently 70 per cent of visitors to Kamloops come by car.

“It really builds upon four seasons as a destination — servicing summer, winter, fall and spring. It puts exceptional experiences like our world class ski, and our amazing golf and mountain biking at the forefront,” said Dickinson.

She added that Tourism Kamloops is focused on attracting more visitors to Kamloops in the shoulder seasons, spring and fall.

Sarai also mentioned working to find a way to bring a international flight into Kamloops for the first time since the early 2000s.

“But Seattle is also a great destination and has a lot of connecting flights to the rest of the world. We are also looking at Sun Peaks and our winter destinations. There are a lot of Americans that want to come skiing and they need that direct flight into Kamloops. Even though Sun Peaks is 45 minutes from our town, it is still an economic driver for our region,” said Sarai.

Flair Airlines’ first flight to Edmonton departs on June 15.