The new YVR logo reflects on the airport's design colours.
http://www.yvr.ca/images/home_photo3.jpg


March 6, 2007 - 11:30 AM | YVR.ca

YVR OPENS NEW GATES IN INTERNATIONAL TERMINAL EXPANSION
Terminal Facilities Feature West Coast Design and Expanded Retail Program

Richmond, B.C. (March 6, 2007): Vancouver Airport Authority celebrated today the official opening of four new gates as part of the first phase of YVR's International Terminal expansion. Designed to better accommodate the airport's growing passenger traffic and the larger aircraft of the future, the facilities feature an expanded retail program and build upon YVR's distinctive design tradition.

"This expansion is the cornerstone of the Airport Authority's $1.0-billion capital construction program, and essential to accommodating our growth as we prepare to serve a record 17.5 million passengers in 2007," said Larry Berg, President and CEO, Vancouver Airport Authority. "With these new facilities, YVR is poised to become the premier North American gateway to Asia."

This commitment to growing Asia-Pacific traffic was illustrated at today's event with the arrival of the first aircraft to use the new terminal facilities; Air Canada AC8 arrived this morning at Gate 65 on its regular route from Hong Kong.

Building upon YVR's distinctive design tradition, the $200-million, 36,000 square metre expansion features the West Coast colour palette and unique architectural themes evident in both YVR's existing terminal facilities and newly launched logo. The building, which opened as scheduled on March 1 for airline maintenance, testing and familiarization, features 400 metres of moving walkways to facilitate passenger movement through the terminal; 27 plasma signs that switch between multiple languages to help international passengers navigate the airport; and a first for YVR - check-in kiosks located at each of the new gates, to help passengers rebook flights quickly in the event of a cancellation.

Come June 2007, the unique design features of the central pavilion area will be finished, including a large aquarium showcasing indigenous marine life, a 30,000-gallon seawater tank housing 100 moon jellyfish, and a stream running through the centre of the building. When complete, the facilities will also feature more than 25 new shops and services, including premium duty free shopping and full-service restaurants and cafés.

Ray Zibrik, President of YVR Project Management, the subsidiary company responsible for overseeing the project, recognizes the completion of the building was made possible by the dedication of hundreds of people. "I would like to thank all of the skilful and dedicated workers, engineers and designers, who have given more than 900,000 hours of hard work since the project's inception in 2005, for completing the expansion on time and on budget."

The project was funded through a combination of airport revenue sources, including retail sales, airplane landing fees and the Airport Improvement Fee. The $1.0-billion construction program is expected to generate 5,200 person-years of employment and $525-million in direct GDP.




New expanded international terminal wing completed.
http://pacificmetropolis.typepad.com/./photos/uncategorized/yvr_terminal_expansion_by_larry_goldstei_3.jpg



The new Link Building under construction will connect the Domestic and International terminals as well as connect both to the new Canada Line. Will be completed by this summer.
http://pacificmetropolis.typepad.com/./photos/uncategorized/link_building_ii_by_larry_goldstein.jpg
http://pacificmetropolis.typepad.com/./photos/uncategorized/link_building.jpg




Construction of the new Canada Line YVR-Airport Station
http://www.yvr.ca/authority/images/airmail/construction.JPG
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/167/374217010_f38a4eb51c.jpg

If you've visited YVR recently, you may have noticed how construction projects in and around the airport are flying along.

With a growing number of passengers and changes within the airline industry, we are continuing to expand and adapt to meet the needs of the industry and our customers.

International Terminal Expansion

The largest construction project underway at YVR is a $420-million, nine-gate expansion to the International Terminal. Phase one of the expansion, four gates, is nearly complete and scheduled to open in March. Crews have recently installed lighting, carpet, gate counters and art murals in each of the four new gates. Building upon YVR's distinctive design tradition, the new wing will celebrate the spectacular nature of the Pacific West Coast with a large aquarium showcasing indigenous marine life, a jellyfish tank, and a stream running through the centre of the building. Passenger forecasts indicate that the additional five gates will be required between 2011 and 2014.

Link Building

So named because it will link the International and Domestic terminals, the $117-million Link Building will provide increased international check-in capacity, passenger screening, additional baggage systems and office space. This five-story building will be connected to the Canada Line station via a covered walkway, and will serve as a central hub for passengers traveling through YVR.

Construction crews are currently focusing on the completion of the Link Concourse, including the check-in area, baggage conveyors and the transfer corridor and pre-board screening areas on Level 4. Completion of the Link Building is scheduled for summer 2007.

Canada Line

In keeping with our goal of being a sustainable and environmentally conscious organization, the Airport Authority has committed up to $300-million to fund the airport portion of the Canada Line rapid transit line, which will link downtown Vancouver, Richmond City Centre and Vancouver International Airport.

Now that the last section of the Canada Line guideway adjacent to the International Terminal has been completed, work on the YVR Canada Line station has begun. Crews are preparing the site, piling, constructing columns and building two new elevators.

Meanwhile, bridge construction continues on the Middle Arm of the Fraser River. This involves mobilizing equipment and materials, concrete and steel work, piling, pier and guideway construction and assembly of the bridge deck segments using cranes. Crews are also busy lifting and locking segments of the elevated walkway into place on Sea Island. Track installation work on the elevated guideway also begins this month. Later this year, the guideway will "walk" across the completed Middle Arm bridge to complete the last few sections near the Arthur Laing Bridge.

Parking at YVR will not be impacted by the construction process. Passengers and visitors may notice some minor changes to traffic patterns near the terminals, but every effort is being made to minimize disruption. For more information on the Canada Line, please visit www.canadaline.ca (http://www.canadaline.ca).




Pictures of the new International Terminal Expansion:

http://westcoast.pcl.com/media/files/Projects/22_BC_Region/2200428_1_300.jpg

http://westcoast.pcl.com/media/files/Projects/22_BC_Region/2200428_3_300.jpg

Our project remains on schedule. Power and heat are being distributed throughout the building. Mechanical commissioning is well underway, and electrical has completed final connections. Curtainwall doors are nearing completion. Level 2 walls and soffit finishes are well underway. Millwork panels to cores are being installed, together with final trims. Level 4 Moving walkways installation near completion and finishes are being applied. Carpeting on passenger level is now 2/3 through. Tenant areas have been turned over to Owner/Tenants as required.

Flooring removing in the actively operating Terminal Building is progressing together with Starbuck demise area. Thematics creek topper is completed to new building area. Washroom finishes are progressing. Food court Area Terrazzo is completed.

Bridge cladding & Apron drive bridges are well underway, internal finishes ongoing. We have begun demolishing existing temporary passenger walkways and installing permanent gate bridges.

Wellfield mains are completed, tested. Pumps installation underway.

yep , shes huge .

Explanation of the new logo:
http://pacificmetropolis.typepad.com/photos/uncategorized/yvr_logo.jpg

Why is the new YVR banner focused on the North Pole?

What a huge improvement from this -

http://www.listelhotel.com/images/yvr_logo.gif

a new route:

Air Canada flying nonstop from Sacramento International

Sacramento International Airport added a second international carrier Tuesday when Air Canada announced it will offer twice-daily nonstop service from Sacramento to Vancouver, B.C., beginning June 15.

"We are constantly seeking new routes for our customers," said airport spokeswoman Gina Swankie. "This is a much desired route. Vancouver was at the top of our list for international destinations."

The Montreal-based airline will depart Sacramento at 7:40 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Flights from Vancouver will arrive in the capital city at 3:52 p.m. and 9:47 p.m. Flights have been timed to coincide with connections in Vancouver to and from Air Canada's flights to Asia and points across Canada.

Air Canada is the second foreign carrier to offer flights from Sacramento International Airport. Mexicana Airlines began service from the airport on July 1, 2002. Domestic carrier Frontier Airlines also launched international nonstop service to Mexico earlier this month.

http://milwaukee.bizjournals.com/sacramento/stories/2007/03/12/daily28.html

Vancouver losing 700 jobs as Delta cancels contract
Last Updated: Tuesday, March 6, 2007 | 3:12 PM PT
CBC News

Delta Air Lines has suddenly cancelled a maintenance contract with a subsidiary of ACE Aviation Holdings — a move that will cost 700 workers in Vancouver their jobs.

Delta's contract with ACTS was for the airframe maintenance of the airline's Boeing 767s. The five-year, $300-million US deal was signed in May 2005, but has been terminated early.

Delta, the third-largest U.S. air carrier, has been operating under Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection since September 2005. It has been restructuring to slash costs.

"ACTS has worked extremely hard to make the relationship successful," CEO Chahram Bolouri said in a statement issued late Tuesday. "Unfortunately, we are not in a position to meet Delta's cost expectations."

The end of the contract will hit the maintenance division's Vancouver operation especially hard. Out of the 1,000 ACTS employees in that city, 700 will be let go. The layoffs will begin in June and be carried out through the summer. By the fall, only 300 ACTS workers will be left in Vancouver.

"We recognize and regret the impact this will have on our people, and we will work closely with them and their representatives in the coming weeks to mitigate the circumstances for affected employees as much as possible," Bolouri said.

hello, iam from colombia, and i was studying english in Canada for 3 months, i was in fort saint john, northen lights college....for go from colombia to canada, the airplane was in toronto, vancouver and the last city fort saint john, i like vancouver airport, i think its a good airport and beautiful airport in canada, although toronto´s airport is better for me...

Cathay Pacific adds flights
Vancouver Sun
17 March 2007
Vancouver Sun

http://www.globalphotos.org/hongkong/20060827/IMG_2282.jpg
Cathay 747 in Vancouver

Due to growing customer demand, Cathay Pacific has announced it will add three Vancouver-to-Hong Kong flights per week to its schedule from June 14 to Oct.28, 2007, inclusive, increasing the frequency from 14 to 17 flights weekly non-stop from Vancouver to Hong Kong -- more than any other airline.

The additional flights will offer greater flexibility for Cathay Pacific passengers travelling to Hong Kong, while enabling seamless connections to the airline's extensive network in Asia. Also, the recent integration of Dragonair into the Cathay Pacific Group adds a choice of more than 20 destinations in Mainland China.

Spanish duty-free giant enters Vancouver airspace

Aldeasa beats Swiss operator to massive YVR contract, as airport expansion opens up new revenue streams to mirror terminal growth

Grant Wing

Highly visible changes at YVR – including a major expansion of its international terminal and a new duty-free operator – are opening up fresh opportunities for retailers and new streams of revenues for the airport.

The expansion, with four newly opened international gates, is part of YVR’s $1 billion capital construction project designed to accommodate a projected 36% increase in passenger traffic.

The $200 million, 36,000-square-metre terminal expansion also introduces a new logo and visual identity for the airport. A central pavilion area featuring a large jellyfish-filled aquarium and a stream flowing through the centre of the building will be completed this June.

YVR’s manager of retail and passenger services, Chris Gilliland, said the expansion allows YVR to significantly expand its commercial offerings to customers. Retail and concession revenues are a big part of YVR’s overall revenues.

YVR reported 2005 revenues of $329.8 million, of which $58.8 million were concession revenues. Non-aeronautical revenues accounted for about 60% of YVR’s total revenues in 2006.

Gilliland said YVR has a pricing policy that mandates brand retailers in the airport charge the same for their products in the airport as they do elsewhere. Also, YVR, which is 100% leased, selects tenants through a bid process requiring interested businesses to submit financials, customer service, concepts and capital expenditures.

Gilliland added that YVR makes efforts to keep products from overlapping with products sold at its duty-free shops. Duty-free sales are a lucrative part of YVR’s non-aviation related revenues, with net duty-free sales reaching $61.8 million in 2004.

YVR’s new duty-free operator, Aldeasa, ranked fourth largest airport retailer in the world, took over duty-free operations this March. YVR is its first operation in North America. Madrid-based Aldeasa was awarded YVR’s duty-free concession for an eight-year contract term, with a two-year option. Aldeasa was awarded the contract over larger incumbent Zurich-based Nuance Group, which operated YVR’s duty-free for about 10 years. Gilliland said Aldeasa is particularly strong in marketing to international customers and mentioned a recent sale of $7,000 worth of cigars to a Japanese visitor.

Aldeasa claims resilience to economic downturns and says it is the first duty-free operator to operate profitably following the extinction of duty-free for EEC flights, which caused a nearly 60% decline in sales for other European operators.

Aldeasa Vancouver CEO Toni Felany sees YVR operations as a strong entry into the North American market for Aldeasa. The company is also planning a duty-free concession in Atlanta later this year.

Felany said Aldeasa’s YVR stores currently have between 160 and 170 employees, which should rise to about 240 employees in June when the full operation is running. Aldeasa will also operate a duty-free store in downtown Vancouver.

Between 40 and 50 ex-Nuance employees have been hired so far at Aldeasa, with more possibly in the future, said Felany.

He said YVR is highly regarded among duty-free operators.

The airport authority, he said, is one of the “most known in the duty-free industry because they are very proactive and, especially, taking a North America prospective, it is among the best,” said Felany.

YVR’s Gilliland says the new duty-free operator and terminal expansion will provide advantages to all YVR retailers.

“From what I’ve heard everyone’s really excited because they are creating a brand new shopping experience, and when you combine that with thematics, you really create a dynamic shopping environment where everyone is going to succeed and everyone is going to win in that case.”





WestJet outbound YVR seat capacity rises 12%

Proportion of airport share masks rapid growth of Harbour Air

Curt Cherewayko

While the total outbound seat capacity of airlines flying out of Vancouver International Airport increased a marginal 1.6% in 2006, many individual airlines experienced considerable fluctuations in outbound seat totals at the airport last year.

WestJet, whose presence has grown throughout Western Canada, had an outbound seat capacity from YVR of 1.7 million last year, a 12% increase from 2005. Air Canada, the leading carrier from the airport, saw a more modest increase of 1.6%, for a total of 5.3 million outbound seat capacity in 2006.

Harmony Airways recently announced plans to cease flights and restructure. The Vancouver-based airline nearly doubled its outbound seat capacity at YVR in 2006. Harmony, whose destinations were targeted at vacation hotspots, such as Hawaii, Las Vegas and Palm Springs, had outbound capacity of 280,000 in 2006, versus 188,000 in 2005.

Harbour Air, also based in Vancouver, sat near the bottom of the list of total outbound seat capacity at YVR, with 0.2% of the share in 2006. But Harbour, the largest all-seaplane airline in the world, enjoyed a 140% outbound capacity increase at the Richmond hub in 2006. Randy Wright, vice- president of sales and marketing at Harbour, attributes the increase to a couple of key events in the past two years. First, in December 2005, Harbour was forced to relocate all its flights from Coal Harbour to YVR because of construction in downtown Vancouver. Second, in April 2006, the airline introduced flights from Richmond to Victoria.

Wright said that heavy vehicle traffic throughout the Lower Mainland, coupled with vehicle lineups at B.C. ferry terminals, are causing a range of travellers to consider seaplanes as a viable travel alternative in B.C.

“Quite a few people are coming in, whether it’s government, business or leisure, and going [the seaplane] route,” Wright said. The company had outbound seat capacity of 21,631 out of YVR in 2006.

Along with its terminals in Vancouver and Richmond, Harbour flies to and from Langley, Nanaimo, Victoria and the Gulf Islands.

Numerous large international carriers saw their presence at YVR decrease in 2006, most notably American carrier Northwest Airlines, which had an outbound seat capacity of 72,000 out of the Richmond airport, a 39% decrease from last year; and America West Airlines, which had outbound capacity of 143,000 seats, a 28% decrease from last year. America West merged with U.S. Airways in 2005.

Overall outbound YVR seat capacity totalled 11.5 million last year, an increase of 185,500 seats from the previous year.

Yeah i just saw the airport yesterday, its big.

The Cathay Pacific flights are good news for me, but I heard last week that Quantas will start flights this fall from Sydney to Vancouver non stop! No more refuelling or transfers. It will be a hell of a log flight but I will take advantage of it as soon as I can.

Hong Kong-Vancouver budget flights
AP
Tue Apr 24, 10:01 AM ET

http://www.oasishongkong.com/images/content/en_hk/img_fleetonground1.jpg

Hong Kong-based budget carrier Oasis Airlines, which currently flies between Hong Kong and London, said Tuesday it will start operating flights to Vancouver, Canada late June.

The low-cost, long-haul airline will fly six days a week between Hong Kong and Vancouver International Airport for fares more than 40 percent lower than rival carriers, chairman Raymond Lee said.

One-way economy tickets, which go on sale from Wednesday, start from $254.60, the company said. Rival operator Cathay Pacific Airways charges about $1,279 for a round-trip for the same route during June.

Oasis, which was launched last October as the first budget airline specializing in long-haul routes, said it has achieved a cash flow break-even in its first five months of operation. Its flights to London have been popular, Lee said, with economy class seats 90 to 98 percent occupied, Lee said. "The Hong Kong to Vancouver demand may be even higher than the Hong Kong to London one," he said. The airline has bought three more Boeing 747-400s from Japan's All Nippon Airways, expanding its flight to five, Lee said.

I was telling people at work how cheap it is and nobody believed me.

Getting to Thailand now will be really inexpensive.

Holy Crap!! Five-six hundred bucks for a round trip to Hong Kong?!?! That's nuts! :nuts:

That's cheap enough for me to visit Asia every year! :cheers:

Hong Kong-Vancouver budget flights
AP
Tue Apr 24, 10:01 AM ET

http://www.oasishongkong.com/images/content/en_hk/img_fleetonground1.jpg

Hong Kong-based budget carrier Oasis Airlines, which currently flies between Hong Kong and London, said Tuesday it will start operating flights to Vancouver, Canada late June.

The low-cost, long-haul airline will fly six days a week between Hong Kong and Vancouver International Airport for fares more than 40 percent lower than rival carriers, chairman Raymond Lee said.

One-way economy tickets, which go on sale from Wednesday, start from $254.60, the company said. Rival operator Cathay Pacific Airways charges about $1,279 for a round-trip for the same route during June.

Oasis, which was launched last October as the first budget airline specializing in long-haul routes, said it has achieved a cash flow break-even in its first five months of operation. Its flights to London have been popular, Lee said, with economy class seats 90 to 98 percent occupied, Lee said. "The Hong Kong to Vancouver demand may be even higher than the Hong Kong to London one," he said. The airline has bought three more Boeing 747-400s from Japan's All Nippon Airways, expanding its flight to five, Lee said.

Great news for Vancouver!! I imagine that it'll be a sucessful route. Oasis seems to be doing very well. I'm glad. I just hope that they'll fly to Toronto. Soon! I'll settle for 3 flights a day! I just want to see this beauty at YYZ...and maybe hope a flight to Hong Kong for the first time!

Budget carrier set for takeoff
Oasis Hong Kong Airlines plans to break into the lucrative Vancouver market in June
Vancouver Sun
30 April 2007

Oasis Hong Kong Airlines plans to break into the Vancouver market in June, bringing with it flights that are about 40-per-cent cheaper than the lowest advertised rates by the established master of the popular Vancouver-Hong Kong route, Cathay Pacific Airways.

Oasis is still waiting for final approval from Canadian authorities to operate, but next week executives from the carrier will arrive in Vancouver to make a formal announcement.

Vancouver offers a large source of travellers to Hong Kong. When Oasis launched its debut flight to London last October, it had initially pegged Oakland, Cologne/Bonn, Milan, Berlin and Chicago as next on its list. But, after some research, it has chosen Vancouver as a second flag route.

London is "cash-flow break even" for Oasis after only five months and it booked strong load factors of 82 per cent in April, according to co-founder Raymond C. Lee. However, he thinks that "the Hong Kong to Vancouver demand may even be higher than the Hong Kong to London one."

Return tickets to Vancouver are already for sale in Hong Kong at $3,980 HK, which is about $567 Cdn.

Compare that to the $1,426 Cdn that Cathay currently charges for a round trip during June.

There is interest in the team behind the young company, especially in the aftermath of Vancouver-based Harmony Airways, another airline backed by deep-pocketed, Hong Kong-born investors that has stopped service.

There are four main players at Oasis: a part-time pastor and property manager Raymond Lee and his wife Priscilla are the co-founders and have invested $100 million US between them. The Hong Kong chairman of consumer electronics company VTech Holdings, Allan Wong, is another investor, who brings some operational help in Vancouver via contacts at VTech's Canadian presence in Richmond. The chief executive officer, Stephen Miller, is a longtime aviation figure in Asia and Oasis is his second attempt to challenge Cathay.

"Okay, it's a fact. Oasis was started by a pastor, that's me," said Raymond Lee in a phone interview from Hong Kong. When the London flight was launched, one website headline declared, "Oasis Airlines: Thou Shalt Fly Cheaply."

"I don't blame people for being quite skeptical at first -- this pastor-businessman-lunatic with an ambitious dream," said Lee. "I was born into a wealthy business family in Hong Kong and I went into the ministry largely because I saw the greed, the infighting and the strained and broken relationships that money had caused many of my family members."

Lee was educated at Swarthmore College, Harvard University and Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. His business operations are still largely tied to the U.S. east coast. Oasis Development Enterprises is headquartered in Hong Kong, but its 25 office properties valued in excess of $370 million US, according to the company website, are all based around Boston.

Lee doesn't have experience starting an airline, but Miller does. In 1985, Miller helped to launch Dragonair, with which Cathay had to start competing on service from Hong Kong to China. Five years later, Dragonair had lost a lot of money and Cathay bought it. There have been various shareholder changes over the years since then, but as of October 2006, Cathay wholly owned Dragonair.

"I am not saying he has a vendetta against Cathay Pacific Airways, but it's interesting. This is the second time he is taking on Cathay and is involved with a competing airline," said Singapore-based Nicholas Ionides, who has written extensively about Asian aviation since the early 1990s.

Lee describes the Oasis model as a hybrid. It will offer budget fares, but have a business-class section and serve hot meals and complimentary drinks. "When you think of a budget carrier, the first thing that comes to mind is 'What do you cut out? The left wing? The right wing?' " he said, joking. "But the beauty of the hybrid model is that you cut costs elsewhere. For example, by increasing aircraft utilization. We plan to fly the planes 16 or 17 hours a day," said Lee, explaining that at other airlines, the number is 12 to 14 hours a day.

Oasis aims to attract a new market of passengers who have been putting off visits to relatives and friends because of the cost. "And instead of one or two trips, people might make three or four," with the savings, said Ionides.

Oasis is really aimed more squarely at airlines like Emirates, Gulf Air and Finnair that fly from Hong Kong to London with one stop in between, rather than the more expensive, but direct bigwigs of the route, Cathay Pacific and British Airways. That will likely be the same in Vancouver, said Ionides.

Right now, multinational corporations are likely to stick with their Cathay accounts, but "a volleyball team from Croatia and managers of SMEs [small and medium enterprises] are going to Hong Kong and taking their entire families, too. They might opt to fly business class where they wouldn't have before," said Priscilla Lee in a phone interview from Hong Kong.

"It's too early to say if this will work or not, but they are definitely choosing the best destinations for their very limited fleet," said Richard Pinkham, a Singapore-based consultant with the Centre for Asia-Pacific Aviation.

"Both London and Vancouver are big sources of Hong Kong-bound travellers. Most other destinations would have to rely on connecting traffic, which Oasis doesn't have, to fill their flights.

"I would imagine that a daily 747 flight will have some impact on Cathay's traffic and pricing, although it's tough to quantify at this stage. It's a good bet that they will lower their fares, but not match the competition across the board, especially in business class. If the fares are close, most travellers will probably stick with Cathay."

Ionides agreed: "There might be some switchover, but it's difficult to compete purely on price with an established player. Plus, Cathay has cargo revenue that helps to subsidize costs. There is good money to be made in cargo. Oasis will be trying to capture some of that market, but it will be much harder."

jlee-young@png.canwest.com

DOGFIGHT, HONG KONG STYLE

It's not the size of the dog in the fight, it's the size of the fight in the dog, Mark Twain said. Oasis Hong Kong Airways had better hope that's true as it takes on much-larger Cathay Pacific on the lucrative Vancouver-Hong Kong route.

OASIS HONG KONG AIRLINES

1. Will start flying to Vancouver six times a week starting at the end of June.

2. Fleet size: Two Boeing 747-400s (plus three orders).

3. Destinations: Two in June, currently flies once daily to London.

4. Round trip Hong Kong-Vancouver ticket will cost HK$3,890, about $555 Cdn.

5. Parent company: Oasis Development Enterprises.

CATHAY PACIFIC AIRWAYS

1. Flies to Vancouver twice a day and will start flying three times a day this summer.

2. Fleet size: 100 planes (plus 33 orders).

3. Destinations: 56, including four daily flights to London (plus 48 others by codeshare).

4. Round trip Hong Kong-Vancouver ticket in June currently advertised as $1,426.

5. Parent company: Swire Group (Swire Pacific).

Damn! I just put the deposit down on my Cathay tickets to HK 2 weeks ago!! Oh wells. Sweet consolation would be seeing the new terminal and installations (like the VanAqua aquarium) when I depart late June. Hopefully the project is one time.....

I am now seriously considering going to Hong Kong this summer.

Airports now on the radar screen
A decade after being divested by Ottawa, developers hone in on community-owned facilities in B.C.

Globe & Mail | April 30, 2007

ABBOTSFORD, B.C. -- When Ken Neufeld, a broker with Royal LePage Fraser Valley Realty Ltd., welcomes the first tenant to Airport North Business Park near the Abbotsford airport this summer, he'll have more than one reason to smile.

The electrical wholesale company that's locating in the park is not just kick-starting a development that will ultimately have 300,000 square feet of space, it's also lending credence to the hope Mr. Neufeld and other investors in property owner Mt. Lehman Holdings Ltd. have for the area around Abbotsford International Airport.

The development is following the lead of the airport itself, which is one of several smaller facilities across Canada that were transferred to local operating authorities in the late 1990s by Transport Canada. Abbotsford was transferred to the municipal government in 1997, and is set to become a key element in a wave of commercial development.

Under a draft master plan Abbotsford unveiled last June, the airport will get a $105.9-million makeover to accommodate rapidly growing passenger volumes and a growing demand for office and industrial space. Approximately 100 acres of airport land is tagged for development, including a hotel and 421,900-square-foot business park. Developments proposed under the master plan stand to double the $4.5-million the airport sees annually from a mix of lease payments, terminal fees, parking revenue and retail sales.

The airport's plans are in addition to those of Mr. Neufeld's group, which has 30 acres for development to the north and east of the airport. A pension fund has joined with local investors to finance the projects.

"The airport is a big deal," Mr. Neufeld said.

Add in proximity to both Highway 1 and the U.S. border, both of which are just minutes away, and Abbotsford's airport enjoys access to transportation infrastructure equal to the Vancouver International Airport in Richmond.

But development sites near YVR are scarce and prices for available properties are typically beyond the means of the average industrial user. Consequently, an increasing number are being acquired by residential developers.

Richmond's loss stands to be Abbotsford's gain, however. "A lot of those companies that are being squeezed out by redevelopment still need to be close to the airport," said Jeff Rank, managing director for Cushman & Wakefield LePage in Vancouver. He sees Abbotsford providing relief in the wake of diminishing supply north of the Fraser River.

The result has been strong interest in the area around the Abbotsford airport. "We've probably never been busier in terms of dealing with the number of inquiries that we've been fielding on the opportunities that are related to the airport," said Jay Teichroeb, Abbotsford's economic development manager. "Businesses are wanting to capitalize on the growth and the activity that's occurring at the airport."

He pointed to new developments along Mt. Lehman Road and in the Clearbrook industrial area as examples of companies trying to get in on the ground floor of the boom taking place here.

Mr. Teichroeb said Abbotsford is working with a number of different companies that have an interest in locating at the airport. A couple of deals could close this year, and all going well, new development could begin at the airport within two years.

A business park will help diversify the airport's revenue stream, but Mike Pastro, Abbotsford airport's general manager, said serving the needs of aircraft will come first. "We want to make sure we can fit these uses into the plan and ... and we won't do anything now that's going to hamstring us in the future."

Abbotsford isn't alone in having aspirations for its airport. The airport in Pitt Meadows, a smaller community west of Abbotsford north of the Fraser River, hopes to open 65 acres of its land for industrial development in 2009.

Meanwhile, the Prince George Airport Authority is spending $33-million to extend its main runway to 11,400 feet, from 7,400, to accommodate large passenger and cargo jets.

Prince George, which has 318.5 acres available for development, anticipates attracting up to $60-million in private investment with the runway expansion, scheduled to be completed in 2009.

Most of the available land within five kilometres of the airport has changed hands in the past year, added airport authority chairman Jim Blake, a sign of the interest that the airport authority's plans are stimulating in commercial development circles.

Mr. Blake said Canadian National Railway Co.'s plans for a $20-million transload facility in Prince George with an 84,000-square-foot warehouse and 10 acres of outside storage also bodes well for development opportunities at and around the airport. While CN's facility will focus on natural resources exports, he said it could help the Prince George airport achieve its goal of becoming an air freight hub for imported goods, too.

"Goods can be shipped through Rupert and then come to Prince George and then be dispersed by air to various locations so that the major retailers aren't holding on to inventory," he explained. "That's looking a little further down the road, but it's certainly a very distinct possibility."

Bringing that vision to fruition will require further improvements to the airport's infrastructure, however. Just north of the Abbotsford airport, developers are already seeing infrastructure improvements. A new, $25-million interchange on Highway 1 last fall created better access to the area, which has 65.5 acres identified for development. Over the past year, sale and lease signs along Mt. Lehman Road have announced developers' hopes for the area.

This spring, Lee Blanchard, associate vice-president with Cushman & Wakefield LePage in Vancouver, sold a 20-acre site on behalf of the B.C. Ministry of Transportation. The parcel, now slated for a mixed-use development comprising retail and commercial space and possibly hotels, attracted 23 bids. A 10-acre property along Mount Lehman Road that Mr. Blanchard is handling is also receiving a fair amount of interest, but no one is putting money down just yet.

While Mr. Blanchard considers most of the activity around the airport speculative, he said interest in the Abbotsford area highlights the potential. While prices for standard industrial development sites in Burnaby, Richmond and Surrey may be uneconomical, he sees Abbotsford providing relief.

"Abbotsford is now on the radar screen of all the major brokerage firms downtown [Vancouver], all the major developers downtown," he said. "Abbotsford's day is coming, and it's not very far off."

they are giving away 1000 tickets

I just read on another forum someone who booked tickets online and they came up as $0 - meaning she won - but she didn't like the date so changed it! and didn't get the free ticket the second time - haha

Here is Oasis' ad in a Hong Kong travel magazine featuring the discount fare of less than HK$4000 roundtrip.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v81/asiaglobe/hongkong/IMG_3588.jpg

I've heard the Vancouver Aquarium tank is completed at the terminal. Even though it is past the security zone, would anyone be able to get a picture of it. I'm too impatient to wait for the 3 weeks before my flight...lol.

Now to be year-round service, up from the originally planned seasonal winter schedule. Unfortunately the frequency is still just 3x weekly.

Excerpt:
Air New Zealand Extends New Non-Stop Service between Vancouver and Auckland
EL SEGUNDO, CALIF., June 11 /CNW/ - Air New Zealand today announced that
its new non-stop service between Vancouver, Canada and Auckland, New Zealand
will now operate year-round, offering additional flights to those newly
scheduled for the peak travel season. The increase comes in response to the
strong demand from customers eager to fly directly to New Zealand.

Link:
http://www.cnw.ca/fr/releases/archive/June2007/11/c3024.html

The new international wing:



60 Meter West Coast Themed Creek
http://www.pcl.com/media/files/Projects/22_BC_Region/2200428_5_300.jpg

http://www.pcl.com/media/files/Projects/22_BC_Region/2200428_1_300.jpg

http://www.pcl.com/media/files/Projects/22_BC_Region/2200428_2_300.jpg

30,000 Gallon Aquarium
http://www.pcl.com/media/files/Projects/22_BC_Region/2200428_3_300.jpg

http://www.pcl.com/media/files/Projects/22_BC_Region/2200428_4_300.jpg

that is an amazing installation! thanks mr.x!

if anyone has questions about the animals in the tank, i'm your man but for anything, mr.x probably has it covered. haha.

thanks again. can't wait. i'm taking the first Oasis flight to Hong Kong so here's hoping for a successful 1st flight. ahh.

that is an amazing installation! thanks mr.x!

if anyone has questions about the animals in the tank, i'm your man but for anything, mr.x probably has it covered. haha.

thanks again. can't wait. i'm taking the first Oasis flight to Hong Kong so here's hoping for a successful 1st flight. ahh.

haha, those aren't my photos. got it from elsewhere.

so i'm guessing you're one of those lucky ones that got free Oasis tickets?:nuts:

no. my friend on the same flight as me did get a free ticket though. so he was nice and decided to split the prize so we shared the cost of my flight.

Airport takes diagrams off its website
Experts described web pages as a 'terrorist's guide to YVR'
Christina Montgomery, The Province
Published: Sunday, June 17, 2007

The Vancouver Airport Authority has removed detailed diagrams of the airport's critical infrastructure systems from its website -- information that security experts had branded a "terrorist's guide to YVR."

As The Province first reported in February, a technical report attached to a master plan on the website provided a host of information and diagrams of the facility's most strategic systems -- including detailed schematics of the fuel, electrical and communications systems.

Police and security experts familiar with the material said the decision to package the information and make it so easily available to potential misuse represented "almost a malicious disregard for public safety."

Transport Canada ruled that the material broke no regulations and could stay.

Airport spokeswoman Ali Hounsell said at the time that the authority believed the information was easily obtainable elsewhere and was not considered a security problem -- although she confirmed an RCMP officer had expressed concerns about it to the authority.

In early June, when three men were arrested for allegedly plotting to blow up a fuel line into New York's JFK airport, a Province web search showed the Vancouver airport authority material was still available.

Yesterday, Larry Berg, president of the airport authority, said the material has now been removed.

"We didn't remove it because we had concerns," Berg told a Province reporter. "We did it because you had concerns."

Hounsell later said the entire draft plan, including the technical diagrams, was actually removed from the website in early May.

She suggested the web search in June may have somehow turned up an archived web page. A Province search last night was unsuccessful in pulling up the material.

A "master plan" button on the site now connects to a notice reading: "The Airport Authority has submitted the 2027 Land Use Plan to the Federal Minister of Transport for approval. This web page will be updated with the revised YVR: Your Airport 2027 Master Plan, Technical Report and approved 2027 Land Use Plan when they are available."

cmontgomery@png.canwest.com


© The Vancouver Province 2007

Part of the newly completed phase I international terminal expansion:


60-metre themed creek
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1325/598496389_1e480e81b9.jpg?v=0

30,000 gallon jellyfish tank operated by the Vancouver Aquarium
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1314/598831932_fe2ac73a0c.jpg?v=0

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1211/598523773_45fd8a4ae3.jpg?v=0

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1010/598844966_9889fe4942.jpg?v=0

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/216/487804016_3265804044.jpg?v=0

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/95/231416315_0e7a6c7625.jpg?v=0


Lights resemble "floating logs"
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/207/487804136_7f6dbbfcd9.jpg?v=0

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/174/487831933_99b9e98a3e.jpg?v=0



The core of the newly expanded international terminal....behind this pic is a Tim Hortons, a Milestones, and shops.
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/206/487804264_29e74ba0e5.jpg?v=0

The airport awesome, big and beautiful, hands down better than any other expansion going on in Canada. Especially that ugly thing they are building in Toronto. Calgary's expansion impresses me though.

The airport awesome, big and beautiful, hands down better than any other expansion going on in Canada. Especially that ugly thing they are building in Toronto. Calgary's expansion impresses me though.

I haven't been to Pearson since the new terminal opened, so I can't speak about it. I do fly back and forth between Calgary, Vancouver, Edmonton and Winnipeg all the time and I am very happy with what they've done in Calgary. I just wish the Air Canada departure wing had the amenities of the Westjet side.

YVR has improved so much in the last decade it is truly amazing. Many people are surprised to learn that there is a terminal annex to YVR south and slightly east of the main terminal called the South Terminal, designated for regional airlines like Orca and Pacific Coastal as well as charter aircraft. A few years ago it was renovated from a fairly utilitarian structure into the same style as the domestic and international terminals. It's a beautiful little place. I remember someone once told me the south terminal was Vancouver's original airport structure before the new domestic terminal opened in 1968.

Photos by Tintinium:


Link building
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1411/729599948_7995bcd5ea_b.jpg

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1320/729599846_55131c244a_b.jpg

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1236/729574292_e27e3217fe_b.jpg

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1239/729574416_e312ac0407_b.jpg




Canada Line YVR-Airport Station construction
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1291/729600502_e1503b7ec1_b.jpg

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1188/728823621_33176f28d6_b.jpg

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1287/729599792_b96848af73_b.jpg

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1214/729599730_8a4484dc49_b.jpg

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1371/728823503_3a7d50a55f_b.jpg





Canada Line road overpass near YVR's Templeton Station
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1267/728823705_e19fce927a_b.jpg

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1112/728823633_f98c1a3699_b.jpg




YVR Templeton Station and track switches at the station
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1294/728823815_ed4f2b1c59_b.jpg

By wahwah225 from HKADB :

http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa242/wahwah225/SANY0123.jpg

http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa242/wahwah225/SANY0120.jpg

HONG KONG FARE WAR
1 August 2007
The Globe and Mail

The fare war on the Vancouver-Hong Kong route is heating up with newcomer Oasis Hong Kong Airlines reacting to Cathay Pacific's expansion of service to 17 flights a week. Oasis is now offering all seats on weekday flights departing Monday, Tuesday and Thursday from Vancouver to Hong Kong for $299 one-way for economy and $789 for business, excluding taxes. This offer is available to passengers who book by Aug. 15 and are travelling between Oct. 9 and Dec. 13.

In a separate deal, with the purchase of a return ticket from Vancouver to Hong Kong and a minimum one-night stay, passengers will receive a free return flight to Singapore with Oasis's partner carrier, Jet Star Asia. Return tickets are available from $599, plus taxes in economy and $1,599, plus taxes in business.

Tickets can be booked online at oasishongkong.com, through Oasis's customer service centre at 1-888-983-0808 and through travel agents.

I'm really impressed by Oasis's prices...if you assume that Cathay's prices are inflated, then I wonder if Oasis's are kept artifically low. They've got to be cutting costs SOMEWHERE, right? I mean those prices are cheaper than an AC flight from Vancouver to Toronto!

I flew Oasis from Vancouver to Hong Kong on the inaugural flight and all the passengers on that flight received a Boeing 747 model with Oasis colours and banners as a gift. The meals were edible and the attendants were pleasant.

My only pause is their special meals, a passenger next to me had requested vegeterian and he got what seemed to be vegan. They don't make a difference to the airline so they took the safe bet and made vegan meals (I guess it's better than being vegan and only getting vegeterian). And honestly, looking at the veggie option, it's not worth paying extra for it.

For a 13 hour flight, they need more english movies as I watched the Queen about 3 times. And parts of Aladdin twice. Haha.

But for the price I'm paying, I love Oasis - though I'm dreading my flight back, not because it's Oasis but because it's 13 hours of butt numbing flying.

Vancouver International Airport - YVR - was named the best airport in North America by SkyTrax in their comprehensive survey of 7.8 million passengers of 95 nationalities. It was also named the 8th best in the world.


http://img490.imageshack.us/img490/3789/yvrbestairportinnamz5.jpg

http://www.worldairportawards.com/Awards_2007/Airport2007.htm

Wow what happened...a 15 to 8 jump? Not bad!

And not only that..........




Vancouver International Voted Top Airport by Pilots

Vancouver Sun
Published: Wednesday, August 08, 2007

The Air Line Pilots Association has named Vancouver International Airport as its 2007 Airport of the Year.

The 60,000-member organization selected the airport for its efforts in engaging the pilot community in discussions and reviews of operational procedures and facility plans.

ALPA representative Bob Perkins noted the airport hosts an annual chief pilots meeting where airport stakeholders discuss funding requests and airfield improvements. It also has a website that provides pilots with information on airport activities and operations and an opportunity to provide feedback on important issues.

The ALPA represents pilots' interests at more than 200 commercial airports in the U.S. and Canada.

© 2007 CanWest

Vancouver International Airport - YVR - was named the best airport in North America by SkyTrax in their comprehensive survey of 7.8 million passengers of 95 nationalities. It was also named the 8th best in the world.

http://img490.imageshack.us/img490/3789/yvrbestairportinnamz5.jpg

http://www.worldairportawards.com/Awards_2007/Airport2007.htm

Mr.x, while I do appreciate your tenacity at keeping so many threads up to date, I would appreciate it if you would cite my original post when you copy and paste it into a new thread.

Original posts here (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=509440) and here (http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?t=136114).

Thanks, and, honestly, keep up the good work.

^ well actually, I didn't get it from there. I got it from another forum posted by another user.

you're SFU Vancouver? o_O

A secret revealed...

No worries. I'm just thrilled YVR won the award and placed so well internationally.

A secret revealed...

No worries. I'm just thrilled YVR won the award and placed so well internationally.

wow....it's like talking to the Yoda of Vancouver.


Me too. I can only think that we'd place even higher in the years to come with more improvements and expansions, including the Canada Line, completed.

Speaking of expansions, the Link Building should be completed in the coming weeks.

Airport Authority Celebrates Its 15th Anniversary

This year, the Airport Authority is celebrating its 15th anniversary. Since assuming responsibility for the Vancouver International Airport (YVR) in 1992, the facility has certainly come a long way. That year, YVR had about 700 take-offs and landings a day, and served 9.9-million passengers. Nonstop scheduled service was provided to 10 international and eight destinations in the United States.

YVR now averages about 800 aircraft arrivals and departures each day and in 2007, expects to welcome
some 17.5-million travellers, a new record. Non-stop scheduled service is now provided to 19 international and 25 destinations in the United States.

The face of YVR has changed dramatically in the 15 years since the airport was transferred to the Airport
Authority. Most recently, a new brand identity was announced that better reflects the modern facilities and unique West Coast style of the airport. Below, a few milestones from the past 15 years:

1992: YVR is one of the first four airports in Canada transferred from the Federal Government to local community-based, not-for-profit organizations. At that time, the Airport Authority embarks on an ambitious program to develop the airport.

1994: A portion of the Domestic Terminal is demolished to make way for the construction of a new $250-million, 16-gate International Terminal, which was completed in 1996. That same year, operations begin on the 3,030-metre-long north parallel runway.

1997: An expansion to the east apron and de-icing facilities is completed.

1999: The 400-room, four-diamond Fairmont Vancouver Airport opens, as did the expanded transborder check-in area in the International Terminal. Additionally, the South Terminal—the original terminal built in the 1930s— undergoes a $3.5-million expansion, and Helijet opens its hangar/terminal on the south side.

2000: The $114-million east wing of the International Terminal opens, adding seven gates to the transborder facility.

2001: The first phase of the $53- million upgrade of the Domestic Terminal is completed, transforming
the north half of the building with an open floor plan, natural lighting from floor-to-ceiling windows and skylights, a state-of-the-art baggage system, new flight information displays and selfservice check-in kiosks.

2002: A decade after the Airport Authority began operating YVR, work is completed on the $53-million
upgrade of the Domestic Terminal.

2005: Work begins on the airport’s most recent construction program, the largest to date. This includes the
recently-completed expansion to the International Terminal wing, the Link Building, YVR’s portion of the
Canada Line and other terminal and facility upgrades, and will total $1.4- billion by 2010.

2007: This fall will see the opening of the new Link Building, joining the International and Domestic terminals and providing increased international check-in capacity, passenger screening, additional baggage systems and office space. The five-storey structure’s curved glass facade will present a new face for passengers arriving at the airport. The Airport Authority has no shareholders and all excess of revenue over expenditures is re-invested in airport developments and service improvements.

Has any airline officially announced to operate an A380 into YVR?

oops

surprised nobody has posted this
Vancouver International Airport YVR is considering developing the northlands of Sea Island, The Island inwhich YVR is situated into mix commercial development and new airport terminals and possibly a new runway.

The following information and images are from the YVR authority website

You can find a concept image at
http://www.yvr.ca/pdf/authority/northlands/Northlands_conceptImage.pdf
The picture wont seem to load onto this page

Airport North Development
The north side of the north runway has been zoned for airport compatible commercial development for many years. The Minister of Transport confirmed this zoning in 1992 and in 1995.
The area is intended as a buffer between runway operations and Sea Island Conservation Area to ensure safe aircraft operations.

Development Concepts
Development will generally occur from east to west in four phases.
The area will be developed incrementally over the next 20 years.
Exact timing and type of development will vary depending on demand.



Environmental Process
An environmental study of the Northlands area was completed; the scope of the study included:

A conceptual environmental review by an independent consultant (Gartner Lee).
- Mapping of existing biophysical features.
- Identification of environmental constraints on the site.
- Identification of opportunities for enhancement of natural features and recreational use.
- Site specific environmental assessments will be conducted for each future lot development within the Northlands area as the land is developed. These assessments will be coordinated through the Airport Authority Environment Office as part of the existing permitting process.

Northlands Noise Assessment
A noise assessment was conducted by BKL Consultants Ltd. The following is a summary of their work and findings:

- Noise levels in several communities (including Burkeville, the Angus Lands, Deering Island, and the Southlands) were measured to determine the ambient noise levels in the absence of aircraft noise
Calculated noise levels from anticipated activities within the Northlands development area were compared against the ambient noise levels in the community.
- The project objective is to limit noise from the Northlands development to ensure it does not exceed existing ambient noise levels in the community.
A noise barrier, such as a berm, is recommended adjacent to Ferguson Road and south of the Angus Lands to ensure future noise from vehicle traffic is minimized.
- To ensure noise levels are kept to a minimum, Airport Authority guidelines will be applied to each future development.
Noise from aircraft operations is covered under the scope of the YVR Aeronautical Noise Management Program.

Northlands Traffic Study
A traffic study was conducted by UMA Engineering Ltd. The following is a summary of their work and findings:

- Existing traffic volumes were measured and future traffic was estimated based on the development concepts.
- A two lane roadway with provisions for westbound left turns will be required to accommodate the estimated traffic volume.
- A landscaped median will separate the opposing lanes. Left turn lanes will be provided at major driveways. Minor driveways will be restricted to right in and right out turns.
- Transit pull outs will be provided periodically along the eastbound lane of Ferguson Road.
- Westbound cyclists and roller bladers will be accommodated in a paved shoulder.
- Eastbound commuter cyclists will be accommodated in a shared traffic lane. Recreational cyclists and roller bladers will be accommodated in a separate asphalt walkway
- Street lighting will be provided to illuminate the road to municipal standards. The luminaries used will focus the light onto the road and will minimize light spillover onto the property adjacent to the road.

The Airport Authority has had two open houses relating to Northlands development, one in February of 2002 and one in September of 2002. Input from the open houses has been used to draft a concept plan for Northlands development, draft a landscaping plan and road use plan for the area, perform an environmental review, noise study and traffic study, and has also resulted in revisions to the draft design guidelines.

^ old info, we all know about that already. thx for posting though, and welcome to the forums!

thanks im really looking forward to try oasis in the near future i would love to anyone knows what lounge they are using if they are using one?

thanks im really looking forward to try oasis in the near future i would love to anyone knows what lounge they are using if they are using one?

iunno, my family tried to book tickets a few weeks ago for our Christmas trip back to Hong Kong.....unfortunately tickets were all already booked. We're going on Cathay instead.

i rode oasis but since i didn't get those privileges, i didn't pay much attention. however, i noticed that the lounge for oasis at Hong Kong International Airport was somewhere near the duty free area and Oasis operates out of departure gate 15.

iunno, my family tried to book tickets a few weeks ago for our Christmas trip back to Hong Kong.....unfortunately tickets were all already booked. We're going on Cathay instead.

Well IMHO thats better Cathay is known as a world class carrier

Well IMHO thats better Cathay is known as a world class carrier

It'll be my first on Cathay. I usually take Japan Airlines.

you may be lucky and travel in the new seats

Oasis uses the Plaza Premium Lounge just after passing security. It's a nice place with phone, newspaper, TV, food, and internet. The lounge in Hong Kong, though, was much smaller.

Oasis Airlines Asia deal
25 August 2007
Vancouver Sun

Travellers who purchase a round-trip fare to Hong Kong from Vancouver on Oasis Hong Kong Airlines now have the option of adding on a second leg to one of 11 Asian destinations, in China and Vietnam -- for free.

With the purchase of a return ticket from Vancouver to Hong Kong and a minimum one night's stay in Hong Kong, passengers will receive a free return economy flight to any one of 11 destinations in China and Vietnam with Oasis Airline's partner carrier Hong Kong Airlines. Tickets are available from $599 plus taxes in economy and $1599 plus taxes in business class.

To take advantage of this offer, tickets must be booked between Aug. 24 and Sept. 25, with travel permitted anytime between Aug. 25 and Dec.r 14. Booking is available through www.oasishongkong.com , customer services (1-888-983-0808) and travel agencies.

^^ Wow that's a pretty good deal! Too bad they don't offer free connections to Taiwan too. Damnit!

I was out at YVR this morning and I brought along my camera.

YVR LINK Building and the YVR Canada Line station under construction. One can begin to see where the pedestrian concourse will be located to connect the station to the Link building.
http://img20.imageshack.us/img20/3158/yvrlinkbldgandcanadalinsh7.jpg
My photo


Zoom of the Link Building.
http://img73.imageshack.us/img73/1227/yvrlinkbldgandcanadalinpx6.jpg
My photo


Single track section of the guideway leading to the YVR station.
http://img213.imageshack.us/img213/4301/canadalineyvrsingletraccf8.jpg
My photo


YVR Canada Line station and the Link Building from the other side.
http://img209.imageshack.us/img209/3882/yvrlinkbldgandcanadalinrs2.jpg
My photo


Interior of the Link Building, concourse area.
http://img165.imageshack.us/img165/5014/yvrlinkbldginteriorseptwz3.jpg
My photo

is Singapore Airlines really flying the A380 to Vancouer for weekly service?

they were talking about the A380 on Jack FM just now - apparently the test one is still to take off today... and they said that Singapore Airlines will be using it on their YVR route? i can't find any info anywhere other than Singapore Airlines received their first place today

any way stumbled across this pic of the Singapore A380 interior

the have a new suite class - sweet!

Our Singapore Airlines Suites, exclusively available onboard the A380, provide the distinguished few with their own inner sanctum.

http://www.singaporeair.com/saa/en_UK/images/exp/eot/new/suite/suite_landing.jpg
With a host of innovative features masterfully crafted to meet your every need, experience your own bedroom, office, cinema and dining area - all from the comfort of your personal suite.

The Singapore Airlines Suites, your haven of luxury.

Click here to view the new Singapore Airlines Suites cabin interior.

I thought SIA operated the YVR route 3x weekly, not weekly.
They actually want to go daily, but AC and the Canadian gov't doesn't allow.

I think the Canadian gov't also has a restriction on the aircraft that is being used... SIA will have to negotiate with the Canadian gov't if they want to fly the A380 into YVR...

right now SIA only has one A380 and its going to be used on the Syndney OZ route as of oct 28th

(i just read the news)

and than it says as the planes are delivered they will add san francisco, Los Angeles, frankfurt and some other cities

had no mention of YVR

I don;t think they knew what they were talking about on the radio

Enhanced air service boosts Canada’s Pacific gateway
30 November 2007
Press Release

http://www.dragonair.com/ka/manage_content_by_channel/footer1/images/logo_cx_en.gif

Transportation links between B.C. and the Asia Pacific were further enhanced today during Premier Gordon Campbell's mission to China as Cathay Pacific Airways announced it will add four new flights per week between Vancouver and Hong Kong, beginning March 30, 2008.

"Stronger air connections between B.C and the Asia Pacific are essential to forging economic partnerships, building tourism, and developing Vancouver as the North American centre for Asian commercial airlines," Campbell said. "Cathay Pacific's increased service will help us achieve our targets of 75 per cent growth in passengers and a doubling of air cargo moving through YVR by 2020, and further secure B.C.'s position as Canada's Pacific Gateway."

Today's announcement boosts the number of Cathay Pacific flights between Hong Kong and Vancouver, the airline's Canadian headquarters, to 21 from 17. The four new flights per week will see nearly 1,000 new passenger seats available per week, consistent with the Canada-Hong Kong bi-lateral air agreement.

"We're thrilled to be able to now offer triple-daily service to Vancouver, knowing it will further strengthen ties between Hong Kong and Canada," said Cathay Pacific Chief Executive Tony Tyler. "We look forward to continuing to support the growth of tourism and business development in B.C. and Canada, while providing convenient accessibility to our hub of Hong Kong, the important region of Mainland China and beyond."

This is the second time in less than five months that Cathay Pacific Airways has increased its air service between Hong Kong and Vancouver. Weekly flights were increased to 17 from 14 in July 2007. By March 2008, Cathay Pacific will offer three daily non-stop departures between Hong Kong and Vancouver, the same number as to Los Angeles and New York City, and one more than to San Francisco.

"China is one the fastest-growing sources of arrivals to Vancouver International Airport, and also one of the fastest-growing destinations for travellers flying out of YVR," said Tony Gugliotta, Vancouver Airport Authority's senior vice-president of marketing and commercial development. "Increased service between YVR and Hong Kong will mean greater convenience and more choice for thousands of travellers."

Hong Kong has long-established cultural ties with B.C. More than 500,000 people from Hong Kong live in Canada today, many residing in the Greater Vancouver area. Hong Kong is home to the largest Canadian business community in Asia, with more than 250,000 Canadian passport-holders living there. Approximately 150 Canadian companies maintain office branches or subsidies in Hong Kong and a further 450 are represented by distributors, agents, or joint venture partners.

More information on the Pacific Gateway Strategy, the Action Plan and the targets for 2020 is available online at www.pacificgateway.gov.bc.ca/. British Columbia’s Asia Pacific Initiative can be found at www.gov.bc.ca/ecdev.

I can't wait to have YVR connected to downtown with the new line! YVR is looking cooler and cooler!

Cross-Pacific shoppers leave retailers reeling
Flights in the $200 range have consumers jetting off to Asia
3 December 2007
Vancouver Sun

Vancouver-area agents that specialize in travel to Asia report that flight bookings to Hong Kong this fall have spiked as much as 50 per cent compared to last year, spurred on by cheap air fares and the strength of the Canadian dollar.

In fact, some Lower Mainland retailers and restaurants say that they are actually feeling a pinch because there is a mini-exodus of consumers, who usually stick around town and spend, but are now flying more often to Asia, sometimes for weeks at a time.

Battling the appeal of cross-border shopping is one thing, but these businesses also blame a slump in sales on the lure of cross-Pacific shopping.

For example, at Prima Taste Restaurant on Robson Street, owner Kiam Ang serves authentic Singaporean dishes to a clientele that consists of one-third regulars. Lately, however, many of these usual faces haven't been showing up.

"These are customers who usually come in once or twice a week," said Ang. "Then, [suddenly] we don't see them for a few weeks. And when they come back, they tell us that they have been away and might be off again soon.

"The airfares are so cheap right now. They are going and coming back and going again."

Shanghai River Restaurant, on Westminster Highway in Richmond is an elegant and popular 5,000-square-foot-plus establishment. November is usually a slower time of year, said manager Yu Yick Man, but "this year, it is definitely down from even the usual lows, by some 20 to 30 per cent."

When asked how he knows that this dip is necessarily due to more of his regular clients travelling to Hong Kong, Yu echoed other observers: "I just know that everybody is away. My friends have gone. My family is away. Even my wife has gone back.

"You think about it, it's just $200 to get on a plane."

Cathay Pacific Airways and Air Canada have both offered lower fares to Hong Kong this year, but it is new entrant Oasis Airlines and its slew of bargains that seems to have stirred this activity and piqued people to travel.

The budget airline has thrown out various one-way to Hong Kong fares around the $200 mark: There was $299. Then, there was $239. This week, there's yet another at $229.

It has also enticed bookings by tacking on free side trips with a Hong Kong-based partner, flinging travellers on to Singapore, Vietnam and destinations in southern China.

Paulus Ng, who heads Silkway Travel, an agency with Hong Kong roots that now has eight Lower Mainland locations, said that consumers have lapped up Oasis's marketing.

"The conventional way is to list round-trip ticket fares, but [Oasis] is breaking fares into one-way prices as a gimmick. It's so that it looks really cheap."

And once thoughts of such a good bargain are sparked, "they'll still go back [to Hong Kong] even though, very often, they can't [actually get] the cheapest airfares as advertised," said Audrea Chan, a Chinese-language newspaper reporter.

Whatever the case, Ng said that "more people who hadn't planned on going to Hong Kong are saying: 'With these cheap fares, let's go. It's not a big deal.'

"These aren't 'astronauts' [the trans-Pacific commuters who work in Hong Kong and frequently fly to see their families in Vancouver]. They live full time in Vancouver. Often, they aren't working, but are going to shop, have fun and see friends."

Take Donna-Rica Cheung, a Vancouver resident who hadn't been back to her native Hong Kong in eight years. When her sister Desiree, also a long-time Vancouver resident, returned from Hong Kong in July only to head back there again in October, Cheung herself decided to take a look at the cheaper fares.

"They are really reasonable," she said in a phone interview from Hong Kong, where she and her sister will spend a few more weeks before returning to Vancouver in time for Christmas. "We have been buying clothes and shoes and stuff like that. It's very cheap. And we are eating a lot, out every day."

Ng, the travel agent, thinks there is actually a modest shift happening in buying patterns. "In the past, they may have used that money to buy clothing or other things here, but now that disposable income is going toward travelling and shopping elsewhere," he said, adding that most Asian currencies are pegged to a falling U.S. dollar.

Tony Gugliotta, senior vice-president of marketing and commercial development at Vancouver International Airport (YVR), confirmed some of this anecdotal evidence in an email reply: "Indeed, YVR has experienced more than a 50-per-cent growth in Hong Kong origin and destination traffic in the three full months after Oasis Airlines commenced service ending September [based on latest available data], accompanied by approximately a 34-per-cent decline in Canadian dollar terms of the average fare."

More than 50-per-cent growth in overall Hong Kong traffic is significant, but behind this there is another trend: When Vancouver-area travel agents are asked how many more bookings they have each been making, there is a very wide range of answers.

For example, Ng at Silkway thinks that Silkway's bookings to Hong Kong are up about 25 per cent. But, at Richmond-based M's Travel Ltd., travel agent Connie Chan said that she was up 50 per cent.

At Oasis Airlines, Vancouver-based general manager David Solloway was hearing many different numbers too, which made him dig harder to explain the discrepancies:

"The Vancouver agents who traditionally serve Hong Kong Chinese business are up about eight to 14 or 15 per cent," said Solloway.

"But the agents who cater to customers with mainland Chinese roots are up substantially more."

That's because the population of immigrants from mainland China in Vancouver is much bigger and still expanding.

"These customers are booking more trips to Hong Kong, but going on from there into southern China. From these agents, I am hearing of a 35- to 45-per-cent or more increase in bookings," said Solloway.

This bit of insight on passengers funnelling through Hong Kong to and from southern China is interesting considering that late last week, Premier Gordon Campbell, who is on a 10-day trade mission to China and India, was flanked by top YVR airport executives in announcing an agreement for China Southern Airlines to fly direct from Guangzhou, in the the southern Chinese province of Guangdong, to Vancouver.

YVR's Gugliotta said in an e-mail: "Currently, citizens of Guangdong must travel either to Shanghai or Beijing to take advantage of air services to Vancouver, or alternatively transit through Hong Kong.

"Direct air service will allow greater ease and comfort for the many travellers moving between our two provinces. This new direct service will increase trade, travel and tourism between Guangzhou and YVR."

All sorts of snafus could derail a current target for this to happen in July 2009, but the agreement is a sign of the pressure to add more options for consumers travelling to and from this Hong Kong/southern China region.

At Cathay Pacific Airways, vice-president Canada Philippe Lacamp emphasized that there is room for a variety of "products" to serve the Vancouver/Hong Kong/southern China market.

In November, Cathay, which is based in Hong Kong and linked to more than 20 mainland Chinese cities, added three more flights to its weekly Vancouver to Hong Kong schedule even as Oasis basked in an impressive Vancouver debut.

While all these airlines try to grab market share, in the long term it is likely that demand will outstrip supply, leaving room for each of them.

"As long as the pie is growing, it's great," said Lacamp. "You have to consider the sheer size of the population in that area around Hong Kong and southern China and the potential of bringing that to Vancouver."

And that takes us back to those Vancouver retailers and restaurants. At least one of them is keeping his chin up. At Aberdeen Centre, a mall in Richmond with well-known Asian chains, there has been a drop in local shoppers who have been going to Hong Kong because of low airfares and the strong dollar, said Thomas Fung, who developed and oversees the property.

However, Fung is hopeful that those same cheap flights will balance the loss by bringing more new shoppers from Hong Kong and southern China to his mall more often.

posted by our spongeg:






Non-stop Delhi-Vancouver flights announced

NEW DELHI, INDIA - Premier Gordon Campbell announced today that Kingfisher Airlines has committed to operate the first non-stop Delhi-Vancouver flights as soon as possible.

It's expected that the non-stop service will reduce travel time between Delhi and Vancouver from about 25 hours to 15 hours.

"Building better transportation links between B.C. and India will build on the already-close social, cultural and business relationships that exist between our two jurisdictions," said Campbell, after meeting with Dr. Vijay Mallya, Kingfisher Airlines' chairman and CEO, in Delhi.

"The convenience of direct, non-stop flights between Vancouver and Delhi will create a major benefit for our whole community."

Added Campbell, "It helps establish our gateway status for the world's two fastest-growing economies, China and India, while creating a vital link for our Indo-Canadian community, business,

investors from B.C. and our tourism industry."

Mallya said thousands of people traveling between B.C. and India every month will benefit from the direct service.

Tony Gugliotta, the Vancouver Airport Authority's senior vice-president of marketing and commercial development, said the service is integral to the Vancouver Gateway Strategy, as Delhi represents the largest market not served non-stop from Vancouver.

"We see the market as having enormous potential, not only through our cultural ties, but through increased business and tourism linkages," he said. "Non-stop service will greatly enhance the convenience and ease for travel between Delhi and Vancouver."

India was the second-highest source for immigrants settling in British Columbia in 2006. About 28 per cent of all Indian tourists to Canada arrived through Vancouver in 2006.

Earlier in Premier Campbell's mission to Asia, Cathy Pacific and China Southern Airlines announced increased air service between China and Vancouver.

Campbell is currently on his fourth mission to Asia.

http://www.canada.com/vancouversun/news/story.html?id=e2d1ac8b-2b5c-4c4f-a894-be2a331a1dbf&k=6689

pic of a kingfisher plane - not bad

http://rameshsreekantan.googlepages.com/Kingfisher.jpg/Kingfisher-full.jpg

maybe it will be the A380? for such a long flight?

http://www.airways.cz/images/novinky/kingfisher_airlines_a380.jpg

Vancouver Airport Authority spending $1.3 million in wake of Polish man's death

Camille Bains, THE CANADIAN PRESS
Friday, December 7, 2007

RICHMOND, B.C. - The head of the Vancouver Airport Authority says that while the facility processes millions of passengers every year, it's lost some of the human touch that could have helped Polish immigrant Robert Dziekanski after he arrived in the country he wanted to call home.

On Friday, Chief executive Larry Berg and airport authority officials announced several improvements they've made, mostly to the communications system that failed Dziekanski and his mother, who desperately searched for her son but was told he wasn't there.

Dziekanski died Oct. 14 after being shocked twice by an RCMP Taser but an autopsy did not reveal an obvious cause of death.

Berg told a news conference the authority will spend $1.3 million from this year's operating budget on improvements designed to make it easier for passengers coming through the international arrivals terminal to connect with those who are meeting them.

More than 17 million passengers, including four million from international destinations, come through the airport annually, Berg said.

But until now there have been no airport staff in the area controlled by the Canada Border Services Agency to help people such as Dziekanski.

"I think that we've lost a little bit of the human touch, the ability to reach out to people, individuals who may have different, unique circumstances, such as this individual did," said Berg.

The airport authority had no staff in the customs area to interact with Dziekanski, who wandered around for hours before becoming so agitated that he started tossing furniture.

A new customer-information counter has already opened in the customs hall and will provide a translation line, along with messaging services to the public greeting area and an electronic display advising those waiting that a passenger has arrived, Berg said.

A timeline provided by the authority of Dziekanski's movements at the airport shows he stepped off a connecting flight from Frankfurt at 3:20 p.m. on Oct. 13 and was shot by a police Taser early the next morning and died at 2:20 a.m.

That was after airport security and RCMP were called just before 1 a.m. with reports of someone "making trouble" and "throwing chairs" in the international arrivals area, airport operations vice-president Paul Levy said.

The airport operations centre dispatched security guards and called the RCMP.

An airport response co-ordinator and a shift supervisor also arrived at the scene, Levy said.

"The airport response co-ordinator recalls hearing the RCMP asking the passenger to calm down," he said. "He then observed the passenger back up towards the counter inside the passenger services area, reach into his jacket and pull out an object."

The two airport supervisors speculated the black object might be a knife, Levy said.

But seconds later, as Dziekanski received the first of two high-voltage Taser shocks and fell to the ground, the object that flew from his hand turned out to be a stapler, Levy said.

The timeline states that a customer service agent for the airport authority saw Dziekanski going down an escalator into the customs hall after everyone else on his flight had cleared a customs booth.

According to the timeline, Dziekanski stood face to face with the agent, who saw the man had "large beads of sweat pouring from the side of his face and temples" less than an hour after he arrived at the airport.

However, the agent did not call for help despite Dziekanski's unusual condition.

Levy would only say that training is being improved for all front-line staff and someone will be put in charge of the area.

Improvements at the airport will include five public safety officers trained in conflict resolution to intervene in a situation such as Dziekanski's, whose exchange with the RCMP was recorded on video by another traveller.

The video, which has sparked international outrage, shows Dziekanski was zapped with a Taser within seconds of police arriving on the scene, and he fell to the floor writhing in pain.

That was soon after his mother, Zofia Cisowski, and her Canadian husband left the airport after being told there wasn't any record of Dziekanski in the immigration area.

Airport improvements include better communication between the secure area controlled by the Canada Border Services Agency and the public area, enhanced translation services and 24-hour customer information service.

A so-called greeter board, a flat screen listing new arrivals' names, the city they've come from and the time their flight landed, began operating Friday, with more on the way.

The board's listings rotate in six languages - English, French, Korean, Japanese, Punjabi and Chinese.

Passengers who want their to names appear on the board must provide their information to airport authority staff.

Kevin Molloy, chief information officer at the airport authority, said that in the future international passengers may be able to stand before a video camera and have their image projected on to a screen in the public area.

Privacy concerns prevent the authority from getting a list of passengers' names from various airlines, although such information is provided to the Canada Border Services Agency, Molloy said.

The authority is exploring ways in which passengers could consent to provide their information to the airport authority when they book their trip for the benefit of family and friends at their final destination, he said.

"Privacy concerns have held the industry back from fully exploring that and I think now with the momentum we have with this incident we will continue to push that on a global basis," Molloy said.

The airport authority believes it's making industry-leading improvements.

"Of the changes that we see here today I'm unaware of them existing anywhere else in the world," said Molloy.

"Nowhere in the world do airport authorities have a presence within the customs area and now we've got an agreement with the Canada Border Services Agency to do that."

Berg said he's spoken to officials at the world's airport associations about the changes and CEOs of airports in other large Canadians cities, including Toronto, Montreal and Calgary.

Another changes involves setting up round-the-clock medical response in the terminal after concerns were raised it took too long to get emergency care for Dziekanski.

Several investigations have been launched into Dziekanski's death, including a full public inquiry by the B.C. government.

© The Canadian Press, 2007



sounds like some pretty darn good customer service.

^some of which should have been at the airport years ago

posted by raggedy13:




Vancouver airport will see more than $250 million worth of construction work each year until 2025 - Construction expected to be halted only for 2010 Olympics

http://www.journalofcommerce.com/images/archivesid/25613/300.jpg
About $1.2 billion will be spent on construction projects at YVR prior to the Olympics. Another $2.8 billion is expected to be spent by 2025.

BRIAN MARTIN
CORRESPONDENT
Dec. 10, 2007

There are people in the construction industry who call it the “never-ending project”. Some of them weren’t even born in 1968 when it all began.

For sure, all will likely be long gone before it is finished.

It is YVR – Vancouver International Airport. The domestic terminal at the existing airport opened nearly 40 years ago as the only terminal. Prior to that, activity centred around what is now known as the South Airport.

Today that area is limited to private flights and local charters. Since first opening, however, YVR has seldom if ever not been under construction.

John Lenahan, P Eng, is the manager of transportation and planning for the airport. On Nov. 28, he met with the Vancouver Regional Construction Association to bring them up to date on construction so far and outline the future.

Current construction projects at the airport will amount to $4 billion by the time 2025 comes around.

About $1.2 billion of that will be spent prior to the 2010 Winter Olympics. It’s not hard to see why expansion is required. In 1990 the airport handled 10 million passengers. By 2020 it is expected it will handle 25 million.

YVR is among the busiest airports in North America and right near the top when it comes to Asian markets. Major projects either underway or being planned include $420 million worth of upgrades to the International Terminal. Close to half of that has already been completed with the recent additions to the West Chevron (west wing).

That project scooped up two Gold Awards of Excellence for Keith Plumbing and Heating and one Gold Award for general contractor, PCL Constructors Westcoast Ltd in the recent VRCA Awards of Excellence competition.

The expansion now allows YVR to handle the new A380 double-decker aircraft recently launched by Airbus Industries.

Lenahan pointed out that although the giant airplane, which can carry close to 900 economy class passengers is not yet slated to serve Vancouver, YVR expects it won’t be long before it shows up. A further $100 million expansion to the West Chevron is planned for 2011-2013.

Between the domestic terminal and the international terminal is the Link Building which connects the two.

It is a $100 million project that is expected to be completed within days.

A second Link Building on the airside of the terminal will be built and finished in 2009. In addition to the International Terminal some $352 million is being spent on a series of smaller projects as well as $150 million worth of upgrades to the Domestic Terminal. YVR is also contributing $300 million towards the extension of the new SkyTrain line, currently under construction, connecting the airport in Richmond to Vancouver.

Initially there will be one station at the airport but provisions have been made for a second station to serve a new terminal in years to come.

The SkyTrain Canada Line should be completed by November of 2009. Airfield improvements, including items such as aprons and taxiways will add another $65 million, roadways and parking will come to $55 million and $60 million is being spent on upgraded baggage handling systems. The only time in the foreseeable future that there will not be construction underway at YVR, said Lenahan, is just before, during and after the 2010 Olympics.

“We don’t want the airport under construction during that time,” he said.

Other than during that period, somewhere between $250 million and $350 million worth of work will be completed annually at YVR.




Quite impressive. And they're planning to start construction on a $4-billion 12,000 foot out to sea runway in 2025. It'll take 10 years to fill in the ocean.

^ That's an ambitious vision.

Is there anyone else in NA or the world even who are spending this amount money on improving their airport?

By the way, how does SeaTac compare to YVR in this respect?

Is there anyone else in NA or the world even who are spending this amount money on improving their airport?

By the way, how does SeaTac compare to YVR in this respect?

There are some expansion and renovation plans, but i don't think it's anywhere near as substantial as YVR....even though Sea-Tac has 30 million passengers while YVR has 17 million.

Most airports build mega projects rather than the Vancouver model of a stage by stage, phase by phase basis. And there's always other airports that are spending more. $250 million annually is quite significant.


BTW, when will they be starting construction on terminal 2 east of the existing international terminal?

Is there anyone else in NA or the world even who are spending this amount money on improving their airport?

By the way, how does SeaTac compare to YVR in this respect?

you gotta remember the airport (YVR) up until recently was pretty small and crappy

they have been playing catch up the last decade

Emergency landing to be made by a Cathay Pacific Airbus A340 soon at YVR...after pilot discovered a wing flap problem???

more details now: CX 839 bound for HK

BREAKING NEWS: Cathay Pacific Airbus with 290 people on board to make emergency landing at YVR
Friday, December 14 - 03:46:50 PM News1130 Staff

RICHMOND (NEWS1130) - An Airbus is reportedly making an emergency landing at YVR in mere moments. The flight has 290 people on board including passengers and crew. The Cathay Pacific Airbus was leaving for Hong Kong from YVR when the pilot dispatched tower with a 'flap problem'. They have dumped fuel into the ocean, and are expected to make an emergency landing immediately.

TRAFFIC CLOSURES: Moray Bridge, Dismore Bridge, #2 Road Bridge, Airport Connector Bridge (Westbound), and Arthur Lang Bridge (Southbound) are all closed.

Stay tuned to News1130 for the latest.

Faulty light caused emergency landing at Vancouver, B.C. airport
15 December 2007

RICHMOND, British Columbia (AP) - A false warning light has prompted a Cathay Pacific jet to make an emergency landing at Vancouver International Airport in Richmond, British Columbia.

Airline spokesman Scott Mowrer said the Airbus A340, bound for Hong Kong with 290 passengers and crew, turned back after an indicator light for the wing flaps came on in the cockpit.

The plane dumped fuel before landing without incident Friday evening.

Mowrer says tests were done on the flap system and everything appears to be working.

posted by spongeg:

Air Canada flying daily to Australia

Air Canada has launched a daily non-stop service from Vancouver to Sydney, Australia -- the only direct daily service between Canada and Australia.

The inaugural Toronto-Vancouver-Sydney flight on the airline's new flagship Boeing 777 was scheduled to take off from Vancouver International Airport just before midnight Friday.

The new non-stop routing from Vancouver will take about 15 hours southbound and 14 hours northbound, shaving more than three hours off the previous one-stop routing via Honolulu.

A new Boeing 777-200LR will fly the route starting in February, providing a significant increase in the amount of cargo that can be transported between Canada and Australia.

Travel between the two countries continues to grow, with about 200,000 Australians visiting Canada last year and 110,000 Canadians travelling to Australia.

Tourism BC figures show 177,000 Australians came to Canada during the first nine months of this year -- up 8.5 per cent from last year.

Travel to the southern hemisphere from Vancouver has become easier recently as Air New Zealand last month launched a new year-round, non-stop service from Vancouver to Auckland.

http://www.canada.com/vancouversun/news/business/story.html?id=b0c8a5ab-0adc-4cec-b9f6-a3cf22c390e9

Here are some pictures of the new YVR Link building that "links" the Domestic Terminal and the International Terminal.

The Link building consists of lots of offices for YVR (that you can't really see), expanded international check-in and the gateway for the Canada Line Airport station.

The 2nd floor of the atrium was not open. I think they will open that when the Canada Line station is completed.

My opinion is that the atrium looks really big from the outside but is actually quite small from the inside. You would think that the atrium would cover the new check-in counters so I am a little bit disappointed.

What should have been built is an atrium similar to the one at Surrey's Central City....(talk about the wrong building in the wrong place...)

Also there this thread seems to be lacking pictures, so there are other pictures of the Domestic Terminal and International Terminal.

The pictures are out of order. For a more organized description go to http://ngaie.blogspot.com

http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff121/mindstorms32/YVR/IMG_4950.jpg

http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff121/mindstorms32/YVR/IMG_4952.jpg

http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff121/mindstorms32/YVR/IMG_4954.jpg

http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff121/mindstorms32/YVR/IMG_4957.jpg

http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff121/mindstorms32/YVR/IMG_4959.jpg

http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff121/mindstorms32/YVR/IMG_4960.jpg

http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff121/mindstorms32/YVR/IMG_4962.jpg

http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff121/mindstorms32/YVR/IMG_4963.jpg

http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff121/mindstorms32/YVR/IMG_4965.jpg

http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff121/mindstorms32/YVR/IMG_4966.jpg

http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff121/mindstorms32/YVR/IMG_4970.jpg

http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff121/mindstorms32/YVR/IMG_4972.jpg

http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff121/mindstorms32/YVR/IMG_4975.jpg

http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff121/mindstorms32/YVR/IMG_4976.jpg

http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff121/mindstorms32/YVR/IMG_4978.jpg

http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff121/mindstorms32/YVR/IMG_4979.jpg

http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff121/mindstorms32/YVR/IMG_4981.jpg

http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff121/mindstorms32/YVR/IMG_4982.jpg

http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff121/mindstorms32/YVR/IMG_4983.jpg

http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff121/mindstorms32/YVR/IMG_4986.jpg

http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff121/mindstorms32/YVR/IMG_4989.jpg

http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff121/mindstorms32/YVR/IMG_4990.jpg

http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff121/mindstorms32/YVR/IMG_4991.jpg

http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff121/mindstorms32/YVR/IMG_4993.jpg

http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff121/mindstorms32/YVR/IMG_4994.jpg

http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff121/mindstorms32/YVR/IMG_4995.jpg

http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff121/mindstorms32/YVR/IMG_4998.jpg

http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff121/mindstorms32/YVR/IMG_4999.jpg

http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff121/mindstorms32/YVR/IMG_5000.jpg

http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff121/mindstorms32/YVR/IMG_5001.jpg

http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff121/mindstorms32/YVR/IMG_5005.jpg

http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff121/mindstorms32/YVR/IMG_5006.jpg

http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff121/mindstorms32/YVR/IMG_5007.jpg

http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff121/mindstorms32/YVR/IMG_5010.jpg

http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff121/mindstorms32/YVR/IMG_5011.jpg

http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff121/mindstorms32/YVR/IMG_5013.jpg

http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff121/mindstorms32/YVR/IMG_5015.jpg

http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff121/mindstorms32/YVR/IMG_5017.jpg

http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff121/mindstorms32/YVR/IMG_5019.jpg

^ omg....wow. i love the contrast the wood roof makes, and the glass atrium is awesome.

Maybe its time for me to give an update on this thread.

I went to Singapore via. Seoul on Singapore Airlines last May and took these photos of the West Chevron wing of YVR.

It seems that there are very few pictures of the West Chevron wing of the International Terminal at YVR. It opened just last year and extended the number of gates for international flights.

Originally posted at my blog: http://ngaie.blogspot.com/

http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff121/mindstorms32/May%201%2008%20YVR-Seoul/IMG_6342.jpg

http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff121/mindstorms32/May%201%2008%20YVR-Seoul/IMG_6343.jpg

http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff121/mindstorms32/May%201%2008%20YVR-Seoul/IMG_6347.jpg

http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff121/mindstorms32/May%201%2008%20YVR-Seoul/IMG_6350.jpg

http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff121/mindstorms32/May%201%2008%20YVR-Seoul/IMG_6352.jpg

http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff121/mindstorms32/May%201%2008%20YVR-Seoul/IMG_6355.jpg

http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff121/mindstorms32/May%201%2008%20YVR-Seoul/IMG_6356.jpg

http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff121/mindstorms32/May%201%2008%20YVR-Seoul/IMG_6358.jpg

http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff121/mindstorms32/May%201%2008%20YVR-Seoul/IMG_6359.jpg

http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff121/mindstorms32/May%201%2008%20YVR-Seoul/IMG_6361.jpg

http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff121/mindstorms32/May%201%2008%20YVR-Seoul/IMG_6362.jpg

http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff121/mindstorms32/May%201%2008%20YVR-Seoul/IMG_6367.jpg

http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff121/mindstorms32/May%201%2008%20YVR-Seoul/IMG_6368.jpg

http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff121/mindstorms32/May%201%2008%20YVR-Seoul/IMG_6372.jpg

http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff121/mindstorms32/May%201%2008%20YVR-Seoul/IMG_6374.jpg

http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff121/mindstorms32/May%201%2008%20YVR-Seoul/IMG_6375.jpg

http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff121/mindstorms32/May%201%2008%20YVR-Seoul/IMG_6377.jpg

http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff121/mindstorms32/May%201%2008%20YVR-Seoul/IMG_6378.jpg

http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff121/mindstorms32/May%201%2008%20YVR-Seoul/IMG_6379.jpg

http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff121/mindstorms32/May%201%2008%20YVR-Seoul/IMG_6381.jpg

http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff121/mindstorms32/May%201%2008%20YVR-Seoul/IMG_6382.jpg

http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff121/mindstorms32/May%201%2008%20YVR-Seoul/IMG_6383.jpg

http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff121/mindstorms32/May%201%2008%20YVR-Seoul/IMG_6384.jpg

http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff121/mindstorms32/May%201%2008%20YVR-Seoul/IMG_6385.jpg

http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff121/mindstorms32/May%201%2008%20YVR-Seoul/IMG_6387.jpg

http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff121/mindstorms32/May%201%2008%20YVR-Seoul/IMG_6388.jpg

http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff121/mindstorms32/May%201%2008%20YVR-Seoul/IMG_7935.jpg

Wow I won't recognizw YVR at all next time I'll land there! Thinking about it, how many runways can be layed on the island?

Maybe its time for me to give an update on this thread.

I went to Singapore via. Seoul on Singapore Airlines last May and took these photos of the West Chevron wing of YVR.

It seems that there are very few pictures of the West Chevron wing of the International Terminal at YVR. It opened just last year and extended the number of gates for international flights.

http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff121/mindstorms32/May%201%2008%20YVR-Seoul/IMG_6383.jpg

Excellents pics from YVR! Especially this:)

I will be again in Vancouver next july!

I love YVR!
I could live there, like Tom Hanks in the movie The Terminal. :)

yes really good pics, VERY well done.

I love YVR!
I could live there, like Tom Hanks in the movie The Terminal. :)

i couldn't agree more! the best feeling ever, as weird as this sounds, is coming back from a long trip to yvr on a late summer's night.

I agree. I spent 4 months away in HK last summer and as much as I hated to leave, it was the best way to be re-introduced to your hometown.

wow cant believe its been 4 years since i was in Vancouver. so much has changed in the airport
need to go back soon

http://img60.imageshack.us/img60/6306/yvrwd4.jpg
My 50-year fantasy plan. The terminal expansions are divided into 6 sections, approximately one every 8-10 years not too unreasonable? Main problem is where to put the 5th and 6th runways...

The future international terminal, is it me or does it look a little separated from the existing one? I see the bridge/connector to the right of building but it's weird to me that it would sandwich the domestic term like that.

But thanks for the above post.

You forgot the north-south taxiway over Grant MacConachie Way for the planes - just to the east of your terminal building is about the right place I think.

is the new north runway within the airport boundries? i think its ontop an existing road.

Wasn't there a plan to build a new runway on reclaimed land out into the Strait of Georgia?

That plan isn't too far off, don't expect the 12 storey building anywhere on SeaIsland though.
Also would make a lot more sense if what you have for the South Itnl terminal became the new domestic terminal, and the old domestic+expansion became the US section, with the whole north side as the intl terminal. Add two more connectors between the north and South side and the runway connector and you have there long term vision. The Parking lot between the terminals will most likely dissappear as well.

^^ Isn't the fairmont hotel at YVR 12 stories? And it's awfully close to the control tower. But yeah, I forgot about the radius of the yellow arc, which should be at least 200m smaller. I think you're right bout the domestic/international terminals though. Since we will still need cars, the parking lot will likely be turned into a multi-storey parkade with hopefully retail and connections between terminals wrapping around it.

The plan is to move most of the parking to the eastern end of the island and use the RAV line to get to the airport. It will be free to shuttle to the airport from the new parkade.
Not sure on the height of the the fairmont but I'm pretty sure it in't that tall, will need to look it up, it also is not in the flight path so it's taller then what would be allowed approaching the runways.

You're right the Fairmont acutally has a 14thfloor, so it probably is 12 levels.

Vancouver 2010 Olympic Store Grand Opening at YVR

VANCOUVER, July 16 /CNW/ - The Vancouver Organizing Committee for the
2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games (VANOC) and Vancouver Airport
Authority are hosting a special event at the new Olympic Store at the
Vancouver International Airport (YVR). The Olympic Store is the first of six
that will be opening over the coming months at YVR.

<<
What: Olympic Store grand opening

When: Thursday, July 17, 2008
10:00 am (Pacific Time)

Where: YVR, International Terminal: Departures Level 3
(beside food court)
3211 Grant Mcconachie Way, Richmond

Who: Caley Denton, Vice President, Ticketing and Consumer Marketing,
VANOC

Tony Gugliotta, Senior Vice President of Marketing and
Commercial Development, YVR
>>

Photo opportunities: 2010 mascots - Sumi, Miga and Quatchi; Olympic and
Paralympic merchandise; VANOC/YVR executives and partners.

http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/July2008/16/c5321.html

Darn I have chem class *snaps* Shouldn't they be handing out free mascots to the first 100 people in the line? =D

Safe landing at YVR
Joanne Lee-Young, Vancouver Sun
Published: Wednesday, July 30, 2008

Passengers and crew on Cathay Pacific Airways flight 889 from New York to Hong Kong had a scare Tuesday at 3 a.m. when they heard a loud sound as the plane was descending from 20,000 feet into Vancouver.

The plane landed safely and there were no injuries, but the Boeing 747 was grounded in Richmond so officials can investigate what happened.

Cathay Pacific representative Jennifer Pearson said an external panel on the fuselage was damaged in the incident, but it wasn't clear whether the panel fell off.

Officials at YVR reported there was no request by the aircraft for standby emergency services.

The airline was busy arranging accommodation and alternative flights for the 363 passengers and 17 crew members.

Source: Vancouver Sun

YVR the Best!
From The Sun:


YVR keeps top spot in Canada for its airport efficiency
Calgary and Ottawa also land in top 20
Bruce Constantineau, Vancouver Sun
Published: Wednesday, July 30, 2008

Vancouver International Airport remains the most efficient and cost-competitive airport in Canada and the ninth best in North America, despite a rising Canadian dollar that gives a competitive advantage to U.S. airports.

That was one of the findings of an Air Transport Research Society study that measured the cost competitiveness of 134 airports throughout the world.

The study found Vancouver fell to ninth place in overall efficiency and productivity among 63 North American airports, down from eighth place last year and second place in 2005.

But Vancouver remained the the top-rated Canadian airport, with Calgary landing in 15th place and Ottawa placing 16th. The top three North American airports were Atlanta, Raleigh-Durham and Minneapolis.

ATRS president Tae Oum, a University of B.C. Sauder School of Business professor, said the rising loonie affected results because comparisons are made in U.S. dollars.

"So all Canadian airports became less cost competitive relative to U.S. airports, especially airports near the U.S.-Canadian border," Oum said.

Vancouver airport remains efficient despite the currency situation, he said, noting that more than 50 per cent of its revenues come from non-aviation sources like parking and retail activity. Toronto's Pearson International Airport generates only about 30 per cent of its revenue from non-aviation activities.

The most efficient North American airport studied -- Atlanta -- gets 69 per cent of its total revenue from non-aviation sources.

Oum said Toronto airport officials refused to provide certain information -- like snow removal fees and outsourced items -- because it did not want to be included in the study. Toronto was rated second to last among North American airports studied last year.

Oum noted Toronto landing fees are huge -- $6,321 for a Boeing 767 compared with $875 in Vancouver, which charges the lowest landing fees among nine major Canadian airports in the study.

He said Toronto officials have wasted money on airport expansion in recent years, without have a primary focus on improving efficiencies and expanding non-aviation revenue sources.

Oum said Atlanta routinely tops the list of most efficient North American airports, but that doesn't mean it provides the best service. He said Vancouver probably provides better service, which can be costly, but service quality is hard to measure and not included in the study.

The most efficient European airports in the study were Copenhagen, Oslo and Amsterdam, while Hong Kong, Singapore and Seoul-Incheon topped the Asian list.

The old logo up to 2006
http://img30.imageshack.us/img30/1584/yvr.png

Current logo, which I absolutely hate. It looks like it came out of a home-and-garden design magazine.
http://www.richmondhospitalfoundation.com/images/YVR_logo_rgb_engtag_001.jpg

My throw-back 70's-style fantasy logo, which is supposed to resemble the Y-columns at the airport skytrain station, and invoke west coast typography. The "R" is for Robust, like a steep mountain cutting into the ocean.
http://img34.imageshack.us/img34/2568/yvr2bmp.png http://img36.imageshack.us/img36/9108/2335531830041467179jvxy.jpg

http://img37.imageshack.us/img37/9121/yvrlinkbldgandcanadalin.jpg
Still a work in progress... haha

^^
I agree that the current logo is less than memorable. Preferred the old one.
The color tile around the "R" in the current logo looks like what I see every day in infected body fluids, LOL.

These are two videos of Canjet Airlines Take Off from La Ceiba, Honduras to Vancouver via Calgary:

Ts8lCDrax6E

PVPYc1IwW2w

the new observation and food area is really awesome - so bright and great views to watch the goings on

the new observation and food area is really awesome - so bright and great views to watch the goings on

Can't wait to see that. YVR is my favorite airport in the world.

YVR's website will be updated =)

Coming Soon: The new www.yvr.ca
[Last updated on 11/6/2009 at 3:29:29 PM]


Vancouver Airport Authority is about to launch a new and enhanced website next week.

Our customers, community members, business partners and employees provided us with valuable feedback. We've listened to those suggestions and worked to create a more user-friendly site, and one that is reflective of our airport.

As an official sponsor of the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, we're excited to offer an improved online and interactive gateway as we welcome the world to our airport and to our city. Please visit again soon to check out the new www.yvr.ca.

Back in 2007 there was an MOU to start regular flights from YVR to Guangzhou's Baiyun Airport by 2009. What happened to that?

^^ Nothing happened. Its probably due to the worldwide poor economy. It also delayed launching of the new route between Baiyun and San Francisco for the same reason.

WestJet adds new routes, expands service on 19 others
Airline unveils new schedule for the summer of 2010
http://micro.newswire.ca/release.cgi...&Start=0&htm=0

CALGARY, Dec. 16 /CNW/ - WestJet today unveiled its flight schedule for the summer of 2010, featuring five new routes and expanded service on 19 trans-border and international routes.
The summer schedule also includes new non-stop service between Vancouver and Kitchener-Waterloo

Route Start Date Frequency Days Arr/Dep Times
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Vancouver -
Kitchener-
Waterloo
Introductory Outbound
fares 4:30 p.m./11:42 p.m.
starting at June 27/28, Return
$189 2010 Daily 7 a.m./8:59 a.m.

Forgot to put this up the other day. Epic fail....


Crash sends unexpected arrival into Vancouver airport
Updated: Tue Dec. 15 2009 11:03:31
Darcy Wintonyk, ctvbc.ca

Vancouver's International Airport received an unexpected arrival early Tuesday morning after a large SUV crashed into the international terminal and drove more than 50 feet inside.

A valet was behind the wheel of the black SUV when it careened through the automatic sliding glass doors and deep into the U.S. departures area around 5:30 a.m.

In Pictures: SUV crashes into airport (http://www.ctvbc.ctv.ca/gallery/html/airport_suv_091215/photo_0.html)


Police say the man appeared unaware the vehicle was in reverse when he hit the gas.


"[He] was parking the vehicle at the curb, backing up against the curb, and hit the gas a little too hard and came shooting through the doors," Staff Sgt. Murray McCaulay told CTV News.


The driver is shaken up but is not injured, he said.
The speeding vehicle knocked out a three-person bench and a small counter before coming to rest beside a Christmas tree near the Delta check-in counter.


The SUV came close to hitting a staff member who was working on the newly-constructed counter. It was to open in two days.


"[He] left the area immediately when he heard the impact of the vehicle coming through the front doors," McCaulay said. "A very close call."


The rest of the terminal was relatively empty, he said.
RCMP and airport cleanup crews are on scene investigating and assessing the damage.


A YVR spokesperson said airport operations and traffic are not affected.
The owner of the vehicle had just checked in for a departure when the accident happened. He provided a statement to police before catching his flight.
Via Darcy Wintonyk of CTVBC (http://www.ctvbc.ctv.ca/servlet/an/local/CTVNews/20091215/bc_airport_crash_091214/20091215/?hub=BritishColumbiaHome)

Can't wait to see that. YVR is my favorite airport in the world.

not until you land Changi and Icheon :)

not until you land Changi and Icheon :)

The architecture at YVR is really really dismal compared to other International Airports, including Icheon. But YVR really focused on delivering a comforting West Coast/Vancouver experience, which is unique in a sense that most airports focus on architecture and efficiency.

I mean, if you like airports that have amazing architecture, YVR's definitely not your favorite. But if you like airports that don't really feel like an airport, YVR would be a contender.

YVR getting ready for the exodus
Huge rush expected when Games end
Vancouver Sun
20 February 2010

Vancouver International Airport will face a crush of passengers around the closing of the Olympics, prompting airlines to increase the number of flights to meet demand.

Air Canada has added nonstop domestic flights on March 1 -- the day after the Olympic closing ceremony -- to Toronto, Calgary and Montreal as well as international destinations London, Frankfurt, Zurich and Paris, spokeswoman Angela Mah told The Vancouver Sun on Friday.

"It's going to be a very busy day," Mah said, predicting levels would exceed the 14,500 Air Canada passengers on a normal peak winter day at YVR.

Traffic is also expected to be up on Feb. 28 and March 2.

"We are definitely keeping a very close eye on the traffic patterns and adjusting as necessary."

Rebecca Catley, director of communications for YVR, estimated that 230,000 additional people will travel through the airport during the first quarter of 2010 over the previous year.

An additional 1,000 aircraft takeoffs and landings are expected in February alone. On the day before the opening ceremony, more than 160 corporate aircraft took off or landed, compared with 60 to 70 on an average day at YVR, she said.

Meanwhile, private local pilots are looking forward to the end of Olympic airspace restrictions in effect through March 24.

Pat Kennedy, chief executive officer of Pacific Flying Club, a flight training and aircraft rental operation at Boundary Bay Airport, said business is down 70 per cent due to flight restrictions imposed during the Games.

There are restrictions on student pilots flying solo, and requirements for both pilots and flight plans to be registered in advance with the Vancouver 2010 Integrated Security Unit.

While the registration process works well, Kennedy said, it serves as a deterrent to pilots who look out the window in the morning, see a bright sunny day and want to go flying.

Others are put off by the threat of being intercepted by Canadian Forces CF-18 fighter jets should they stray off course during a flight.

"I think they're afraid," Kennedy said. "We're having phenomenal weather. It's kind of sad."

Pacific Flying Club boasts about 400 members and a fleet of 26 single-and twin-engined aircraft.

The Air Transport Association of Canada is seeking $3 million in compensation from Ottawa for the "disastrous impact" on aviation companies and flight schools -- especially those at Delta's Boundary Bay Airport -- resulting from federal airspace restrictions during the Olympics.

Good videos, thank you for sharing. Regards.

YVR getting ready for the exodus
Huge rush expected when Games end
Vancouver Sun
20 February 2010

Vancouver International Airport will face a crush of passengers around the closing of the Olympics, prompting airlines to increase the number of flights to meet demand.

Air Canada has added nonstop domestic flights on March 1 -- the day after the Olympic closing ceremony -- to Toronto, Calgary and Montreal as well as international destinations London, Frankfurt, Zurich and Paris, spokeswoman Angela Mah told The Vancouver Sun on Friday.

"It's going to be a very busy day," Mah said, predicting levels would exceed the 14,500 Air Canada passengers on a normal peak winter day at YVR.

Traffic is also expected to be up on Feb. 28 and March 2.

"We are definitely keeping a very close eye on the traffic patterns and adjusting as necessary."

Rebecca Catley, director of communications for YVR, estimated that 230,000 additional people will travel through the airport during the first quarter of 2010 over the previous year.

An additional 1,000 aircraft takeoffs and landings are expected in February alone. On the day before the opening ceremony, more than 160 corporate aircraft took off or landed, compared with 60 to 70 on an average day at YVR, she said.

Meanwhile, private local pilots are looking forward to the end of Olympic airspace restrictions in effect through March 24.

Pat Kennedy, chief executive officer of Pacific Flying Club, a flight training and aircraft rental operation at Boundary Bay Airport, said business is down 70 per cent due to flight restrictions imposed during the Games.

There are restrictions on student pilots flying solo, and requirements for both pilots and flight plans to be registered in advance with the Vancouver 2010 Integrated Security Unit.

While the registration process works well, Kennedy said, it serves as a deterrent to pilots who look out the window in the morning, see a bright sunny day and want to go flying.

Others are put off by the threat of being intercepted by Canadian Forces CF-18 fighter jets should they stray off course during a flight.

"I think they're afraid," Kennedy said. "We're having phenomenal weather. It's kind of sad."

Pacific Flying Club boasts about 400 members and a fleet of 26 single-and twin-engined aircraft.

The Air Transport Association of Canada is seeking $3 million in compensation from Ottawa for the "disastrous impact" on aviation companies and flight schools -- especially those at Delta's Boundary Bay Airport -- resulting from federal airspace restrictions during the Olympics.

I flew out of YVR back to LA the day after the closing ceremony. It was an evening flight and the airport was a ghost town. I guess the rush was earlier that day.

I love this airport

This airport is very cosy and always gives me that feeling of, "Welcome back to Canada" when I step through those gates =)

Hike in Vancouver airport fee to help pay for $1.8-billion expansion


Fee will rise from $15 to $20 as part of a 10-year improvement strategy


By Brian Morton, Vancouver Sun January 25, 2012 6:44 PM


VANCOUVER -- The airport improvement fee at Vancouver International Airport will increase by $5 in May to help pay for a 10-year, $1.8-billion improvement strategy announced Wednesday.

The increase to $20 from $15, which takes effect May 1, will apply to passengers travelling to destinations outside of B.C.

Passengers travelling within B.C. and Yukon will continue to pay $5.

The improvement strategy will make it easier and faster for passengers and their baggage to move through the airport and help YVR in the face of increasing competition from other airports, Vancouver Airport Authority president and CEO Larry Berg said Wednesday.

“We think this will attract considerably more Asia-Pacific traffic,” he said. “The airlines concur with what we’re doing and the benefit to them.”

He said YVR wants to be the gateway of choice, particularly for the fast-growing Asian market, with demand for air travel in China growing by seven per cent annually.

The new projects in the strategy include more than 700 metres of secure corridors and moving walkways to reduce connection times for passengers, new high-speed baggage systems, upgrades to the original areas of the 1968 domestic terminal building, and runway safety enhancements.

Under the new strategy, $286.4 million will go toward “airside” projects (including runways and taxiways); $488.7 million for domestic terminal building upgrades; $408 million for international terminal building upgrades; and $559.8 million for Sea Island and airport infrastructure upgrades (bridges, roads and dikes).

Berg said it’s anticipated that due to expected new regulations, YVR will have to add 150 to 300 metres of pavement at each end of its runways to ensure adequate safety areas for long lands.

He said Vancouver’s airport improvement fee will remain among the lowest in Canada, with other major airports, including Edmonton, Calgary, Toronto and Montreal, collecting $25 per passenger.

Berg couldn’t say when the fee will be terminated, even though a former YVR president and CEO predicted in 1996 that it would end in 2002.

“We always said the fee was attached to this project, so once enough people go through the turnstiles to pay for the terminal and runway and retire the debt, then that fee is history,” David Emerson said at the time. “To be on the safe side, I would estimate that to be somewhere in the neighbourhood of six years.”

However, Berg said there were misconceptions about the fee and that the airport has required $2 billion in improvements over the past two decades. “The airport is in constant expansion.”

He said the fee, which has paid for about 50 per cent of YVR’s capital improvements over the years, will continue to pay for about half of future improvements and that every penny collected from it goes toward the airport.

He said the decision to raise the fee was made by YVR’s board of directors and noted the last increase was in 2004.

YVR said that since the airport improvement fee was introduced in 1993, it has helped build a new international terminal, a new runway, roads and bridges, airfield safety improvements and the Sea Island portion of the Canada Line.

YVR said the additional flights it expects by 2020 will add $200 million to B.C.’s economy.

It said that every new, daily international flight at YVR generates between 150 and 200 jobs at the airport servicing the plane, its passengers and cargo.

YVR said that as Canada’s second busiest airport, it served 17 million passengers in 2011 and handled more than 296,000 aircraft landings and takeoffs.

The airport authority said it employs more than 23,600 people and in 2010 contributed $1.9 billion to Canada’s economy.

Meanwhile, B.C. Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure Blair Lekstrom said in a statement that YVR’s plan is evidence of the value of the government’s Pacific Gateway partnership with business.

“This investment will further our vision of creating an aviation hub for Asia right here in Vancouver.”

How does the total passenger airport charge stack up against competitor airports in the US (Seattle, San Francisco)?

don't know for sure, but I believe its quite a bit lower than Vancouver.

YVR Named Best Airport in North America for Third Year in a Row

Vancouver International Airport has been named Best Airport in North America for the third year in a row as part of the 2012 Skytrax World Airport Awards. YVR also ranked in the top ten airports worldwide.

The awards, announced April 19th in Vienna, Austria, recognize product and service quality across the world’s airport industry and are based on an independent survey of 12 million passengers from 108 countries. Airports were ranked based on 39 criteria, including design and layout, retail facilities, cleanliness, clarity of flight information and signs, luggage handling and transportation.

The award is a testament to the strong partnerships in place at YVR with airlines, government agencies, business partners, retailers and volunteers. More than 23,600 people to come work on YVR’s Sea Island home every day: a true community.

The Fairmont Vancouver Airport Hotel was also recognized for the second year in a row in the Skytrax category for Best Airport Hotel in North America.

YVR ranked 9th best in the world overall, and 1st in airports in the 10-20 million passengers range.

From YVR website


Vancouver Airport Authority Plans for Luxury Designer Outlet on Sea Island
June 15, 2012

Unique partnership to strengthen local economy, increase region’s destination appeal

Richmond, B.C. (June 15, 2012): Vancouver Airport Authority today announced that it is planning to develop a luxury designer outlet centre on Vancouver International Airport (YVR) land in partnership with London-based developer McArthurGlen Group, Europe’s leading owner, developer and manager of designer outlets.

“This is an exciting project that will increase the region’s destination appeal for visiting travellers and encourage local shoppers to spend within their own community,” said Larry Berg, President and CEO, Vancouver Airport Authority. “Later this summer, you’ll start to see the lands on Russ Baker Way near BCIT being prepared for eventual construction; evidence of some of the jobs that will be added to the more than 23,600 already in place at YVR.”

The project reinforces the Airport Authority’s role in the economic development of the region with the creation of an estimated 1,000 new jobs. YVR currently generates $11.7 billion in total economic output to the Canadian economy.

“We are delighted to have this opportunity to create a premium retail destination in Vancouver, our first location in North America. Already we are seeing very strong interest from our brand partners to open at the centre,” said Gary Bond, McArthurGlen’s CEO of Development. “Vancouver combines location excellence, economic strength, tourism potential and a strong partner – all elements that guarantee success when opening luxury shopping projects.”

The proposed new centre would open in phases, beginning in the fall of 2014, and feature European and North American luxury, designer and mainstream brands. The company’s outlets in Europe are known for brands such as Prada, Armani, Burberry, Gucci, Hugo Boss, Ralph Lauren, Salvatore Ferragamo, Ermenegildo Zegna and Michael Kors.

Vancouver Airport Authority and McArthurGlen are committed to the proposed project being built and operated to ensure environmental compatibility with the local area. Areas of the Fraser River that border the outlet centre would be protected and environmental enhancement plans include the installation of foot and cycling paths that fit into existing regional trail networks.

The architecture at YVR is really really dismal compared to other International Airports, including Icheon. But YVR really focused on delivering a comforting West Coast/Vancouver experience, which is unique in a sense that most airports focus on architecture and efficiency.

I mean, if you like airports that have amazing architecture, YVR's definitely not your favorite. But if you like airports that don't really feel like an airport, YVR would be a contender.

That's exactly whyYVR is my favorite airport. Unlike other airports, they all have the same features. YVR...as you said is unique. :)

Everytime I come back from a trip abroad, there is always that "Welcoming Feeling" @ YVR.

^^ and thats why YVR is rated the top airport in North America. :)



@ GrahamH, thanks for the update! Its an exciting project indeed!

I really liked transfering at YVR. It's not a grand architectural/strutural statement like most airports built/upgraded since the 1990s, yet it's not claustrophobic like the others. The mountains are great backdrop to the airport as well. I do wish there are more flights going into YVR though.

Just stumbled upon this. I had no clue... but it's getting me excited.

http://kevinfrank.ca/blog/sea-island-business-park-and-hotel-on-the-way/

I'm not so keen on how the development plan is going to proceed with YVR. We've put in 2 A380 gates and every airline that would conceivably be putting in a route to YVR with A380s is opting to go south of the border to LA or San Francisco.

Just wondering whether or not the A380 gates are a big albatross about the neck of the YVR Authority since they can't really park anything with the dual level gates other than the A380. Or can they park a 747 in those gates and allow them to load off one set of lower level gates?

This PDF is kinda old, but I've never seen it, and theres some renderings of the new a/b pier.

http://www.bccr.net/images/nov2011/Presentation-Nov_24.pdf