Kelowna

After several years of large passenger increases, activity at Kelowna International Airport slowed slightly in 2008.

While final figures are not available yet, Airport Manager, Sam Samaddar, says he expects to see a passenger increase of about 2% over record numbers posted in 2007.

Speaking to Kelowna Council during Wednesday's budget deliberations, Samaddar says approximately 1.38 million people went through the airport in 2008, an increase of about 200,000 over 2007.

"For 2009, we have forecast a conservative increase of 1% in revenues and 3% in passenger traffic," says Samaddar.

He says WestJet has announced new flights to Edmonton and Calgary, which is encouraging, especially during these tough economic times.

In 2008, Samaddar says the pre-board screening area, departure room and runway expansion were all complete.

The major project for 2009 is a design for the new international terminal facility.