A strong first quarter of the year for passenger volumes at Kamloops Airport was impacted by the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Through the first three months of the year, there were 91,683 passengers processed, an 11 per cent decline from the 101,966 in the first quarter of 2019.

“Passenger numbers started out very strong in the first quarter at levels well above last year’s record activity,” said Airport Managing Director Ed Ratuski. “However, as the reach and severity of the COVID-19 pandemic became known and associated travel restrictions took effect, passenger traffic and scheduled passenger flights rapidly declined from mid-March onward.”

March passenger volumes at YKA were down 38 per cent, at just 21,123 passengers, instead of the 33,898 seen in March 2019.

“Further reductions in commercial passenger activity are expected to continue through April and May and as long as non-essential travel restrictions and isolation measures remain in effect,” Ratuski noted.

Air Canada has suspended all flights to Kamloops until the end of April, while West Jet is down to just one flight a day to Calgary. Central Mountain Air still has service to Prince George, while Swoop has delayed plans to launch its direct flight between Kamloops and Edmonton to June 17.

The airport will remain open during the pandemic, with Ratuski asking any passengers to follow all physical distancing and other public health measures that are in place.