Kelowna International Airport has kicked off its 75th anniversary celebrations.

sa国际传媒淔or a 75-year-old this airportsa国际传媒檚 future is looking better than ever,sa国际传媒� Mayor Colin Basran told the crowd assembled for the announcement. sa国际传媒淥ur airport as you know is a critical hub in British Columbiasa国际传媒檚 economic recovery.sa国际传媒�

The mayor also thanked Airport Director Sam Samaddar and his staff for their day-to-day efforts.

sa国际传媒淲e have the best airport staff if the country, and theresa国际传媒檚 a reason why our airport punches way above its weight class.sa国际传媒�

Samaddar expressed his excitement in celebrating the anniversary with staff, YLW tenants, partners, and Okanagan residents.

sa国际传媒淚 would especially like to thank all of the staff over the last 75 years who have built YLW into what it is today,sa国际传媒� said Samaddar. sa国际传媒淲e have been so fortunate to have such strong community and partner support.sa国际传媒�

The theme of 75 Trips Around the Sun features year-long activities including contests and giveaways as well as other events to be announced. A major highlight will be a visit by the Canadian Forces Snowbirds in the summer. Two 50-minute shows will be held over Okanagan Lake, on July 9 and 10.

KF Aerospace Founder Barry Lapointe told the crowd that in the early 1970s the vision of the Kelowna airport was not well received by the city.

sa国际传媒淭hey had to spend money out here and thatsa国际传媒檚 the last thing the city of Kelowna wanted to do was spend on something out here called an airport,sa国际传媒� said Lapointe. sa国际传媒淏ut a lot of people had the vision. W.A.C. Bennett (B.C. Premier 1952-1972), and another chap was Mayor Parkinson (Richard, 1958-1969), it was their vision that made the Kelowna airport what it is today. Itsa国际传媒檚 people like Sam and city council who can still see that vision.sa国际传媒�

Lapointe attributed Kelownasa国际传媒檚 success to having an international airport.

Read More: Kelowna International Airport looks back on 75 years

Read More: Kelownasa国际传媒檚 KF Aerospace launches passenger charter service

gary.barnes@kelownacapnews.com
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