Kelowna International Airport (CYLW)
Large airport · Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada
Airport data
| Name | Kelowna International Airport |
|---|---|
| ICAO | CYLW |
| IATA | YLW |
| Elevation | 1,421 ft (433 m) above mean sea level |
| Coordinates | N 49°57'22" W 119°22'41" 49.95610, -119.37800 |
| Location | Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada |
| Scheduled service | Yes |
Runways
| Runway | Length | Width | Surface | Lighted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 16/34 | 8,900 ft (2713 m) | 200 ft | ASP | Yes |
Kelowna International Airport at a glance
Kelowna International Airport is a large airport in Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada, known to airline systems as YLW. The field elevation of 1,421 ft (433 m) is the number every arriving pilot dials against QNH — circuit heights and initial approach altitudes at CYLW are all figured from it. The airport handles scheduled commercial service, so expect controlled procedures, published approaches and commercial traffic in the pattern.
The single runway, 16/34, offers 8,900 ft (2713 m) of asp surface, with runway lighting for night operations. Runway numbers give magnetic orientation: runway 16 points roughly 160° magnetic.
For the weather side of planning, the live METAR and TAF page for CYLW shows the current observation decoded line by line — wind on an instrument dial, visibility, cloud layers and the resulting flight rules — refreshed continuously from official sources.
Nearest airports to Kelowna International Airport
Distances are great-circle, measured from the field reference point — planning distances along airways or roads will run longer.
| Airport | Code | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Vernon Regional Airport | CYVK | 32 km (17 NM) |
| Penticton Airport | CYYF | 57 km (31 NM) |
| Shuswap Regional Airport | CZAM | 81 km (44 NM) |
| Kamloops John Moose Fulton Field Regional Airport | CYKA | 113 km (61 NM) |
| Grand Forks Airport | CZGF | 125 km (68 NM) |
Flight-planning notes for Kelowna International Airport
Density altitude is the quiet performance-killer at any field: on a hot day the 1,421 ft field elevation of Kelowna International Airport can translate into a substantially higher density altitude, stretching take-off rolls and flattening climb rates — run the numbers rather than trusting the feel of a standard day. Expect published instrument procedures, controlled airspace and clearance requirements; slots and handling may apply to general aviation traffic.
This entry is one of 250 airports and airfields we list for Canada — the country index on the airports hub links the rest. Coordinates above are given in both DMS and decimal degrees so they can go straight into a GPS, a flight planner or a chart plot without conversion.
Where this data comes from
The reference layer behind this page builds on the OurAirports dataset — a public-domain, community-maintained register of the world's airports that many flight planners and apps rely on — with equity records preserved from documented historical listings where the dataset is silent. Figures are carried as published: elevations as surveyed, coordinates as filed, runway dimensions as recorded. Nothing is estimated to fill a gap, and the whole layer regenerates from source on every site build, so corrections upstream arrive here automatically.
Frequently asked questions about Kelowna International Airport
What is the ICAO code of Kelowna International Airport?
The ICAO identifier of Kelowna International Airport is CYLW, and its IATA code is YLW. The ICAO code is the one used in flight plans, METAR reports and aeronautical charts.
How high is Kelowna International Airport above sea level?
Kelowna International Airport sits at an elevation of 1,421 feet (433 metres) above mean sea level. Field elevation is the reference for pattern altitudes and for setting the altimeter on the ground.
Where exactly is Kelowna International Airport located?
The airport lies at 49.9561, -119.3780 — in Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada, in the northern hemisphere. The closest listed field is Vernon Regional Airport, about 32 km away.
Does CYLW publish METAR weather reports?
Where the station reports, the current METAR and TAF for CYLW appear on its live weather page on this site, refreshed continuously from the US NWS Aviation Weather Center feed.
How long is the runway at Kelowna International Airport?
Kelowna International Airport has one runway. The longest, 16/34, measures 8,900 ft (2713 m) with a ASP surface.