The province announced Tuesday it's investing $1 million into rehabilitating the airport's apron – the area where planes are parked, boarded and refuelled.

The money will come from the B.C. Air Access Program.

MLA, for Kelowna Lake Country Norm Letnick said, " This $1 million investment in Kelowna's airport is only a fraction of the $24 million that we have committed to enhancing airport access throughout B.C.," said Letnick. 

The work we're doing here is in concert with our other initiatives like our five-year, $5 million commitment to the Aerospace Industries Association of Canada's Pacific Division, which will help develop B.C.'s aerospace industry, attract investments, expand our trade network and, ultimately, grow our tourism sector," he added.

"As tourism numbers for B.C. and the Okanagan continue to set records, we're making sure the first impression many visitors will have – the airport – is a good one," Premier Christy Clark said.

Kelowna Mayor Colin Basran said rehabilitating the main apron allows YLW to "accommodate increased air service and larger, heavier aircraft, translating directly to additional jobs and economic prosperity for the region."

The B.C. Air Access Program is part of B.C. on the Move, the Province's 10-year transportation plan. Over the next three years the ministry and its partners are investing over $4.6 billion in priority transportation investments as part of this plan.