The reliability of the West Kootenay Regional Airport so far in 2026 is “on par” with last year, according to its manager.
Danny Clarke told city council on Monday that there have been 33 flight cancellations this year, the same number at this time in 2025. Between April 7 and 20, all but one of the 11 scheduled Air Canada flights to Vancouver were successful. One flight was cancelled due to weather.
Clarke said passenger loads have seen a “consistent” though not drastic increase, and now average 50 per cent or better, which is also about the same as last year.
Clarke previously told council that the city’s application to use a GPS-based landing system is tied up in a 200-day Transport Canada review. He predicted federal approval for the system is still at least 16 to 18 months away. If the city is successful, planes would use a lower-ceiling landing approach and have a much better chance of landing in bad weather.
Meanwhile, city council has given its blessing to apply to Transport Canada’s airport capital assistance program for $700,000 to buy a new runway sweeper. Clarke said if the grant doesn’t cover the entire cost, they’ll have to discuss other funding options.
