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By Victor Kaisar

YKA LINK

Kamloops Airport partners with numerous tourism agencies to try and bolster offerings at YKA

Jun 17, 2025 | 10:15 AM

KAMLOOPS — Kamloops Airport (YKA) has partnered with a number of tourism agencies as part of a new effort to try and bring in new flights to Fulton Field.

The YKA LINK (Leveraging Investment, Networking, and Knowledge) initiative is a partnership between the airport, the Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association (TOTA), Tourism Kamloops, Tourism Sun Peaks, the Thompson Nicola Regional District (TNRD), and Destination BC.

It is aiming to be a catalyst for coordinated marketing and route development to position Kamloops Airport as the central gateway to one of the most diverse travel corridors in British Columbia with access to the North Thompson and Nicola Valleys as well as the Shuswap and the Cariboo.

YKA Managing Director, Jim Moroz, says the initiative was introduced in early June at the BC Aviation Council (BCAC) conference in Kamloops to “drive destination awareness and strategic, long-term development of air service” in the area.

“We introduced this initiative to get one voice and we believe our voice is stronger and the chance of being heard when we’re all aligned are higher,” he told CFJC Today. “The feedback we’re getting from airlines when we they see a unified voice is empowering. Its definitely helpful for the area.”

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According to a news release, the four key goals of YKA LINK are to enhance regional visibility, support experience development, advance regional collaboration, and attract new air service. Essentially, its aiming to try and position Kamloops Airport as the central gateway to one of the most diverse travel corridors in British Columbia.

Ellen Walker-Matthews, the CEO of TOTA, says increased air access into Kamloops is a vital step forward for tourism across the Southern Interior.

“Every new flight brings greater opportunity, not only for Kamloops but for communities across our region to connect with visitors, strengthen our visitor economy, and showcase the authentic experiences that define British Columbia’s interior,” she said. “Enhanced connectivity through YKA supports year-round travel, fosters economic resilience, and plays a critical role in attracting both leisure and business travelers to our diverse and growing tourism landscape.”

While Kamloops Airport lags behind in flights when compared to nearby Kelowna Airport, Moroz said YKA is uniquely positioned to serve as a central hub for the Interior. He said it offers seamless access to ski resorts, wilderness parks, Indigenous tourism sites, and other cultural destinations. He also noted there is a growing demand for both leisure and corporate travel in the area.

“Visitors don’t recognize municipal borders and neither should our strategies,” Moroz said. “So, if its good for Sun Peaks its good for the area and if its good for the Thompson-Nicola, its good for Kamloops.”

“We’re one in this strategic development and we think that working together is better than working alone and we’re excited to see what it becomes.”