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- calendar_today October 13, 2026
Major Parking Price Increase Announced at Penticton Airport
Penticton Regional Airport will see significant changes to its parking fees beginning November 1, 2026. Transport Canada, which owns and operates the airport, has announced that parking rates will rise dramatically — between 400 and 500 percent — in what is being described as an effort to align airport parking fees with current market rates.
Details of the Parking Rate Hike
The increases will apply to every category of parking available at the Penticton airport. Current users can expect to pay substantially more, with the percentage rise affecting both short-term and long-term parking options. The change comes after more than a decade since the last update to parking rates in 2012, according to a federal regulatory notice published in the Canada Gazette.
Reasons Behind the Increase
Transport Canada explained that the revision is necessary because the existing fees no longer match comparable rates in the market. Operating costs for the five federally owned airports have been growing, leading to deficit operations. In response, the federal department decided to adjust parking rates not just at Penticton, but also at four other airports under its purview: Port Hardy and Sandspit (B.C.), Sept-Îles (Québec), and Wabush (Labrador).
Reactions from Travellers and the Community
The significant increase in Penticton parking rates has prompted reaction from residents and travellers alike. Donna, a Penticton resident, voiced her frustration by suggesting the move is a strategy to generate more revenue. While some travellers acknowledge that Penticton airport parking has been notably inexpensive—potentially even used for cheap long-term parking by those not flying—others, including airport employees, argue that the steepness of the price hike is excessive.
Comparison with Other Regional Airports
While Penticton's new airport parking fees have been publicized, there has been no official statement detailing the exact new rates at the other four federally owned airports. However, the initiative is understood to be federal in scope, with Transport Canada set to review and potentially increase airport parking fees at Port Hardy, Sandspit, Sept-Îles, and Wabush as well.
Broader Implications for Travellers
With the rising costs at regional airports, families and businesses may find travel to be a growing financial strain. The parking price increase at Penticton airport forms part of a wider federal strategy to recover increasing airport operating costs and reduce deficits across the country’s network of smaller, federally owned airports.
Source: globalnews.ca.
