Kamloops Airport saw two-thirds fewer passengers in 2020 with 123,675 people through the terminal compared to a record 361,586 back in 2019.

Managing Director Ed Ratuski says the numbers are not surprising given the COVID-19 travel restrictions, but he notes passenger volumes increased marginally in the last three months of the year, with 15,270 passengers processed at YKA between October and December.

“Kamloops Airport, along with our partners in the airline, tourism and travel industries, continue to experience the dramatic impacts of the COVID 19 pandemic,” Ratuski said.

Passenger volumes in Kamloops are expected to remain low as long the restrictions on non-essential travel remain in place across Canada.

“In response to these restrictions and the resulting reduction in customer demand, scheduled services from our airline partners have been significantly impacted,” Ratuski added, referencing Air Canada temporarily suspending all flights effective Jan. 23 and WestJet temporarily reducing the number of weekly flights to Kamloops Airport.

Earlier this week, both Central Mountain Air and Pacific Coastal Airlines announced new flights between Kamloops and Vancouver, though people are being reminded to watch for last minute schedule changes that may impact their travel arrangements.

“As we and our partners continue to ensure that necessary precautions are in place throughout the passenger journey, we remind passengers and guests that masks and physical distancing with in the terminal are mandatory,” added Ratuski. “We also remind passengers to follow all federal and provincial personal health advice and ensure that all quarantine and travel requirements are met prior to arriving at the airport.”

Ratuski previously told NL News that he’s hoping passenger volumes return to somewhat normal by this summer, though he admits it depends on the roll-out of the COVID-19 vaccine as well as the status of the travel restrictions.

Editors Note: A previous version of this story might have suggested that both Air Canada and WestJet are suspending flights to Kamloops. Only Air Canada is doing so. WestJet is pulling two flights, but still has at least one flight a day to Calgary. The inconvenience is regretted.