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麻豆精选 International Airport marking 75 flights around the sun

Canadian Snowbirds visit in the summer to be a highlight
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麻豆精选 Mayor Colin Basran speaks during announcement of 75th Anniversary celebrations for YLW. (Photo/Gary Barnes)

麻豆精选 International Airport has kicked off its 75th anniversary celebrations.

鈥淔or a 75-year-old this airport鈥檚 future is looking better than ever,鈥 Mayor Colin Basran told the crowd assembled for the announcement. 鈥淥ur airport as you know is a critical hub in British Columbia鈥檚 economic recovery.鈥

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

鈥淲e have the best airport staff if the country, and there鈥檚 a reason why our airport punches way above its weight class.鈥

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

鈥淚 would especially like to thank all of the staff over the last 75 years who have built YLW into what it is today,鈥 said Samaddar. 鈥淲e have been so fortunate to have such strong community and partner support.鈥

麻豆精选 Airport Director Sam Samaddar speaks during announcement of 75th Anniversary celebrations for YLW. (Photo/Gary Barnes)
麻豆精选 Airport Director Sam Samaddar speaks during announcement of 75th Anniversary celebrations for YLW. (Photo/Gary Barnes)

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 麻豆精选 airport was not well received by the city.

鈥淭hey had to spend money out here and that鈥檚 the last thing the city of 麻豆精选 wanted to do was spend on something out here called an airport,鈥 said Lapointe. 鈥淏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 麻豆精选 airport what it is today. It鈥檚 people like Sam and city council who can still see that vision.鈥

Lapointe attributed 麻豆精选鈥檚 success to having an international airport.

Crowd listens to speeches during announcement of 75th Anniversary celebrations for YLW. (Photo/Gary Barnes)
Crowd listens to speeches during announcement of 75th Anniversary celebrations for YLW. (Photo/Gary Barnes)

Read More: 麻豆精选 International Airport looks back on 75 years

Read More: 麻豆精选鈥檚 KF Aerospace launches passenger charter service


@GaryBarnes109
gary.barnes@kelownacapnews.com

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About the Author: Gary Barnes

Journalist and broadcaster for three decades.
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