
Kamloops Airport. (Photo via Colton Davies)
There was another slight increase in passenger numbers at Kamloops Airport in the second quarter of 2024, compared to the same three month period last year.
New data released Friday shows there were 73,544 passengers between April and June, up slightly from the 72,519 last season.
“Passenger numbers for [the second quarter] reflect slightly slower than planned recovery from pre-pandemic passenger traffic at YKA, largely reflecting the loss of twice daily service to Vancouver by WestJet Link that took effect in May,” YKA Managing Director Ed Ratuski said.
“As compared to this period last year, both WestJet Encore and Air Canada Express and Pacific Coastal have maintained or increased frequencies where possible to meet the peak summer traffic demand.”
There were 26,074 passengers at YKA in April, 23,997 in May, and 23,473 in June. While May and June’s numbers were lower than 2023 levels, the overall passenger numbers though the first half of this year – 163,132 – are ahead of the 153,386 passengers at this stage in 2023.

Passenger numbers at Kamloops Airport in the second quarter of 2024. (Photo via Kamloops Airport)
In all, there were 311,696 passengers at Kamloops Airport through 2023, about 50,000 shy of the record of 361,586 set in 2019, before COVID-19 reared its ugly head, causing numbers to drop significantly in 2020 and 2021 because of restrictions on non-essential travel.
Ratuski previously told Radio NL that 2024 could be a record year once again, if everything goes according to plan. That includes no setbacks caused by staffing shortages, no significant impacts brought on by airline work stoppages, and no severe wildfire season as was seen last year.
“It is within the realm to do that for 2024,” Ratuski said in January. “With the traffic numbers and the forecast, if they come through the way they were, it is a good possibility.”
Ratuski is asking passengers to monitor their flight status for schedule changes during the summer travel season this year.
“Ensure airlines have your mobile contact information, and when making new travel arrangements, to allow sufficient connection times to allow time for potential delays,” Ratuski added.
“We also encourage all passengers to complete their check-in online to decrease processing and wait times at the airport.”