b'46 YLW OPERATIONSHistoric Wildfires Prompt Kelowna Intl to Move Commercial Flights From Day to NightBY VICTORIA SOUKUPWith wildfires raging throughoutauthorities, air traffic controllers and multiple British Columbia last summer, tworegulatory agencies. The process required things kept Kelowna Internationalconstant give-and-take to balance the Airport (YLW) ahead of the game: goodcritical need of firefighting operations with working relationships with the provincial andthe complicated logistics of getting people, national governments, and partners such asgoods and services in and out of the Nav Canada. essentially landlocked community.More than 28,000 square kilometersThis was not our burned in Canadas far western provincefirst fire or our first during the August 2023 wildfires, makingurban interface fire, but it the worst wildfire season in Britishthe size and proximity Columbia since at least 1958. Two firesof this wildfire to our came dangerously close to Kelowna, forcingairport and our airspace residents to evacuate the city and promptingcaused more issues federal authorities to shut down the airspacethan ever before,SAM SAMADDARsurrounding the airport that served moresays Chief Executive than 2 million passengers in 2023. Officer Sam Samaddar. And much of the FACTS&FIGURESemergency processes in the past have been Stopping and re-starting commercial Project: Adapting Operations During Nearby Wildfires flights at YLW required a methodicallinear decision making, which takes longer Location: Kelowna Intl Airport, in BC approach. When the airspace was closedas one steps through the various agencies. Scope of Fires: 28,000+ sq. km.for everything but aerial firefighting activities,Thats why we circled back during the Timeline: Aug 15-25, 2023 commercial carriers first diverted their in-airprocess and asked if we could all sit down flights and then canceled all subsequenttogether to discuss what each of us needs Strategy: Work with provincial & federal authorities toand decide how to collaborate to lessen allow nighttime takeoffs & landings flights into YLW. After the airspace remained fully closed for two days, reopening tookthe impact on airport operations, while at Outreach: Provided 1 airport vehicle & 1 team tothe same time allowing the forestry and the fight fires within community about one week. Airport leaders negotiated and then executed a detailed plan withairtankers to do the vital work they need to Revenue Lost: $100,000, being recaptured withnumerous stakeholders, including firefightingdo to attack the fires.insuranceMay | June 2024AirportImprovement.com'