Kamloops, Canada
Vantage Group manages Kamloops Airport (YKA), an important travel hub for leisure and business and an economic engine in Western Canada.
Since welcoming Kamloops Airport to the network, Vantage has overseen some $60 million (CAD) in capital improvement projects, including a terminal expansion and renovation, runway extension, and upgrades to airfield lighting and navigational aids.
With an award-winning ski resort, championship golf courses, and a growing wine industry, Kamloops is a destination of choice in Western Canada. Through strong airline relationships, Vantage has broadened air service to include charter transborder and low-cost carrier flight operations, stimulating the local tourism sector.
A recent economic impact study detailed Kamloops Airport’s value as a passenger gateway and jobs creator for the region it serves.
Economic activity generated by the airport annually (CAD)
Direct, indirect, and induced jobs created, generating more than $27.8 million in annual wages (CAD)
Jobs created in the hospitality sector
Increase in passenger numbers since 2004
Kamloops Airport plays a number of important roles in the community it serves.
With one ticket and one stop, passengers can access hundreds of destinations across North America and around the world, on flights operated by Air Canada and WestJet through hub airports in Vancouver and Calgary.
Through a strategic marketing alliance with local chambers of commerce and tourism associations, Vantage, and YKA are lending expertise and resources to destination marketing campaigns, putting Kamloops and its many attractions on the map.
YKA is a critical base for emergency wildfire response across British Columbia, with an expanded BC Wildfire Management campus on airport property.
Vantage is leading the proactive development of airport-adjacent land for both aviation and non-aviation activities. Recent rezoning has opened options for light industrial, commercial, and accommodation development in the area, diversifying revenue and generating economic growth.
In 2025, Kamloops Airport achieved Biosphere Certified status, an internationally recognized designation awarded by the Responsible Tourism Institute for excellence in sustainable development, environmental stewardship, and community collaboration. The certification recognizes initiatives across YKA’s operations, including energy-efficient LED upgrades on the airfield and in terminal buildings, occupancy sensors that reduce energy use, the Airports & Robots youth program delivered in partnership with School District 73, and barrier-free design and inclusive practices that welcome all travelers. Kamloops Airport is a vital gateway for B.C.’s interior, and this milestone reflects the YKA team’s dedication to responsible growth and a more sustainable future for aviation in British Columbia, an achievement made possible through the support of local partners, stakeholders, and organizations like the Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association (TOTA).
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