YVR & Sea Island Developments Discussion II

[hollywoodcory]

WS has delayed the launch of AUS to May 17, however all flights beyond that day are currently only bookable in full fare W / Y class, implying the route will be dropped before it even starts.

The other two new routes BOS / TPA remain unchanged as of now.

[nname]

Originally Posted by hollywoodcory

WS has delayed the launch of AUS to May 17, however all flights beyond that day are currently only bookable in full fare W / Y class, implying the route will be dropped before it even starts.

The other two new routes BOS / TPA remain unchanged as of now.

Moving to YVR-YHZ?

Google sort of hinted 4x weekly YVR-YHZ starting July...

[nname]

Originally Posted by nname

Moving to YVR-YHZ?

Google sort of hinted 4x weekly YVR-YHZ starting July...

And indeed WS is restarting YVR-YHZ in July. 4x weekly July/Aug, then 2x weekly in Sept.

Some recent AC schedule changes

YVR-MIA reduce from 4x to 3x weekly in Sept
YVR-YQB increase from 3x to 4x weekly in Sept
YVR-DUB increase from 3x to 5x weekly in first week of Oct
YVR-BKK increase from 5x to daily from Dec-Mar

There are 3x weekly on days 257 left for midnight departure slot after the BKK increase. What will AC do...?
- New 3x weekly route to MEL/SGN/DPS/NAN?
- Further increase existing routes to MNL/SIN/AKL/DXB?
- Cut DXB and reduce plane requirement by 2? (will require op day change for MNL, equivalent to W24)
- Cut 1x weekly flight from BNE/MNL/SIN/AKL/DXB/BKK and reduce plane requirement by 1?

Also, one of the two daily CUN flight moved back to the old flight number AC932, which is now within the range used for European flight during the summer. Not sure what's the purpose... prepare to get Rouged?

[jollyburger]

Update on the duty free stores at YVR

According to Eric Pateman, Vice President, Passenger Experience and Chief Experience Officer for Vancouver International Airport, the expansion added about 7,000 square feet of new space and saw both primary international locations fully renovated in stages to avoid disruptions to sales or passenger satisfaction.

“We pretty much gutted both stores and rebuilt them from the ground up,” said Pateman in an interview. “Everything from the floors to the ceilings is new, and we’ve reimagined how people interact with the space.”

Pateman joined Vancouver International Airport roughly two and a half years ago with a mandate to rethink the commercial landscape, from retail to food and beverage. Since then, the transformation has been aggressive.

“We’ve changed or renovated more than 30 outlets in the last two years, and we’ve got another dozen or so coming this year,” he said. “Our biggest changes have taken place in Pier A and the WestJet pier, where we’ve seen penetration rates jump nearly 30%.”

The strategy is working not just for shoppers, but for brands. “Triple O’s is now the highest-grossing location in the franchise. Hula Poke is seeing its highest sales here too,” Pateman noted. “So the airport remains a high-value opportunity for food and retail brands.”

As for the return of downtown duty-free in Canada, Pateman is skeptical. Vancouver once had duty-free stores on Alberni Street, and DFS even had ambitions to open a major store downtown in the 1990s. But changes in travel behaviour and licensing make such a model unlikely today.

“I don’t see those coming back,” he said, though he noted ongoing discussions with regulators about the potential of arrival duty-free—an approach that has seen success in other countries.

“It would be a really good thing for B.C.,” he added.

https://retail-insider.com/retail-inside...ree-expands-with-luxury-and-local-focus/

[VancityAvgeek33]

Westjet has cancelled Vancouver to Austin for summer 2025 - but notes intentions to hopefully operate in 2026

[whatnext]

Originally Posted by VancityAvgeek33

Westjet has cancelled Vancouver to Austin for summer 2025 - but notes intentions to hopefully operate in 2026

Didn't AC just start that route?

[owenf]

Originally Posted by whatnext

Didn't AC just start that route?

I think AC started it S23 - although now it seems that WS is backing away from the fight. I hope YVR-BOS/TPA/RDU resumptions/additions arent affected...

On another note, is there any source about the Taiwan-Canada starlux bilateral? What about T'way? Any other possible new routes incoming/in the works?

[twoNeurons]

Originally Posted by owenf

I think AC started it S23 - although now it seems that WS is backing away from the fight. I hope YVR-BOS/TPA/RDU resumptions/additions arent affected...

On another note, is there any source about the Taiwan-Canada starlux bilateral? What about T'way? Any other possible new routes incoming/in the works?

Probably a wise move given additional US routes have a higher risk in the current climate.

[Johnny Aussie]

^^ as of today summer scheds still showing the following

BOS 2 daily (one daily each Westjet and JetBlue)
TPA 2 weekly (one weekly each Westjet and Air Canada)
RDU 3 weekly on Air Canada
AUS 5 weekly on Air Canada

AC also launched BNA today 4 weekly (Westjet also restarted BNA this week 3 weekly)

Even Flair still hanging in with daily LAX and daily SFO over the summer - LAS still operating daily until mid June when it suspends seasonally until autumn. They’ve dumped all other Western Canada Transborder routes.

[SpongeG]

Originally Posted by jollyburger

Update on the duty free stores at YVR







https://retail-insider.com/retail-inside...ree-expands-with-luxury-and-local-focus/

I know some people who worked at the recently opened White Spot and they said its been very dead and they were down to a kitchen crew of 3 people and even then they don't have much to do.

Does anyone think restaurants in airports pre-security these days are kinda risky? Travel behaviour has changed so much. Almost everyone I know either takes transit, or if someone is driving them, they just get dropped off, as staying there is just too much to park, so no time to enjoy a final dinner when the parking costs more than the dinner. And the travellers want to clear security as fast as possible, and they can relax and eat on that side. Even if flights are delayed, people coming to pick up or whatever have far more info available these days, and can adjust their time and avoid the airport, the cell phone lot is great when that happens.

In my recent travels in other countries, pre-security options were pretty sparse in comparison to what was available after you go through security.

[officedweller]

Agreed.
When I get to the airport I want to check in bags and get through security as soon as possible.

[teriyaki]

With the variability of how long security takes, its not that relaxing to be outside of security to eat/shop anymore.

Perhaps they could look into making the estimated wait times for security more prominent on some screens in areas like the food court and restaurants area. This would help alleviate fears and help travellers plan their day better.

[Johnny Aussie]

March stats are out!

Overall not a bad month

https://www.yvr.ca/-/media/yvr/documents/facts-sheets/2025/03---march/traffic-update.pdf

Some highlights:

Total Up 2.3% to 2,150,375

Domestic up 3.7% to 1,012,804
International up 1.1% to 1,137,571

Basically a 47/53 split domestic to intl

Longhaul intl was HUGE
Asia Pacific and Europe were the clear standouts up 16.3% and 14.9%

Offset by declines in Transborder and misc intl down 7.3% and 8.5%

YTD overall was up 1.8%

Cargo also had a big month in March up 16.7%

[Johnny Aussie]

Originally Posted by nname

There are 3x weekly on days 257 left for midnight departure slot after the BKK increase. What will AC do...?

Any updates on this mystery?

Despite a downturn in Transborder UA still seems to be fielding 19 daily flights this summer. Along with the other five US carriers I haven’t seen any significant downward changes at all

Even with UA and AC’s transborder dominant status Westjet is still showing a significant transborder program from YVR this summer (to 14 destinations) - things of course can change but peak season isn’t far away now

Westjet showing lots of Western Canada Transborder love from many stations while AC continues to focus almost entirely on YVR - down to just two non-YVR originating flights this summer (one mainline and one Express)

[Johnny Aussie]

And Sun Country has started its seasonal flights to MSP already as well

[nname]

Originally Posted by Johnny Aussie

Any updates on this mystery?

Despite a downturn in Transborder UA still seems to be fielding 19 daily flights this summer. Along with the other five US carriers I haven’t seen any significant downward changes at all

Even with UA and AC’s transborder dominant status Westjet is still showing a significant transborder program from YVR this summer (to 14 destinations) - things of course can change but peak season isn’t far away now

Westjet showing lots of Western Canada Transborder love from many stations while AC continues to focus almost entirely on YVR - down to just two non-YVR originating flights this summer (one mainline and one Express)

If I see anything (in term of addition), I'll post here right away... But if there's reduction, I may just hold for a few days and try combine it with other changes... not worth to make a new post just for that

Speaking of change, looks like last week AC once again increase BKK service... From the start of season in late Oct, it will be 5x weekly instead of 3x before increasing to daily by Dec. Looks like every update AC is increasing BKK service. Wonder if they will eventually add a second daily flight, or make the route year-round...

After this latest change, for the entire winter season late Oct to late Mar, there is a free slot on days 257, on the opposite day of MNL service. If there is a new route, the start date would be around Oct 28, and AC will need to announce it very soon (in line with the typical 6 months lead-time). But adjust the op day for MNL and cancellation of DXB is still a possibility...


As for WS, about 2 daily flights in total were removed from YVR transborder schedule, including reduction to OGG, SFO, LAX, BNA, LAS on top of the AUS cancellation

https://www.aeroroutes.com/eng/250504-ws3q25us

In comparison, AC so far only removed IAD and a single weekly flight from MIA. F8 haven't reduce anything yet from June-Sept, although it have removed some transborder flights from other bases. F8 will have more YVR-SFO flights this summer compared to WS.


Also, as I posted in the other thread, YVR March Asia Pacific number was only 12 shy of the all-time high back in 2019. Although I do not foresee YVR breaking the Asia Pacific record for the next few months due to seasonal reduction of all those new routes AC added from YVR post-pandemic.

[Johnny Aussie]

Originally Posted by nname

If I see anything (in term of addition), I'll post here right away... But if there's reduction, I may just hold for a few days and try combine it with other changes... not worth to make a new post just for that

Speaking of change, looks like last week AC once again increase BKK service... From the start of season in late Oct, it will be 5x weekly instead of 3x before increasing to daily by Dec. Looks like every update AC is increasing BKK service. Wonder if they will eventually add a second daily flight, or make the route year-round…

After this latest change, for the entire winter season late Oct to late Mar, there is a free slot on days 257, on the opposite day of MNL service. If there is a new route, the start date would be around Oct 28, and AC will need to announce it very soon (in line with the typical 6 months lead-time). But adjust the op day for MNL and cancellation of DXB is still a possibility...


As for WS, about 2 daily flights in total were removed from YVR transborder schedule, including reduction to OGG, SFO, LAX, BNA, LAS on top of the AUS cancellation

https://www.aeroroutes.com/eng/250504-ws3q25us

In comparison, AC so far only removed IAD and a single weekly flight from MIA. F8 haven't reduce anything yet from June-Sept, although it have removed some transborder flights from other bases. F8 will have more YVR-SFO flights this summer compared to WS.

Also, as I posted in the other thread, YVR March Asia Pacific number was only 12 shy of the all-time high back in 2019. Although I do not foresee YVR breaking the Asia Pacific record for the next few months due to seasonal reduction of all those new routes AC added from YVR post-pandemic.

Keep your finger on the pulse - I admire your devotion! I used to spend so much more time analysing so thanks for your efforts

Speaking of BKK that’s where I am right now! Years ago I never really thought YVR would be connected nonstop to here but alas here we are and must be doing well - off to SIN later today

10 weekly Westjet Transborder flights removed from YVR in that last round of cuts. Large cuts in other bases as well (YEG and YWG especially). As I mentioned Westjet will be flying 14 transborder routes from YVR this summer - the combined Westjet / Delta flights to the DL hubs remains very strong indeed (a combined ~ 19 daily - roughly 13 DL and 6 WS)

And the YVR Asia Pacific numbers are truly remarkable with very limited mainland China frequencies. A long way to go there for sure
The resumption of HK airlines and the increase by Zipair plus once Tway and Starlux commence should help bolster those numbers too

[Johnny Aussie]

Highlighted before but this is Air Canada’s press release from today

https://www.aircanada.com/media/air-cana...ions-13-new-routes-and-16-more-capacity/

Vancouver – Huatulco new route 1 weekly
Vancouver – Los Cabos 1 additional flight; up to 5 weekly flights
Vancouver – Puerto Vallarta 1 additional flight; up to daily flights

[ninjakafi_81]

It looks like T'Way Air got the green light to start scheduled flights to Canada.

Determination No. A-2025-79
May 2, 2025
Application by T’way Air Co., Ltd (applicant) pursuant to subsection 69(1) of the Canada Transportation Act, SC 1996, c 10 (CTA)

Case number:
25-22906
The applicant has applied to the Canadian Transportation Agency (Agency) for a licence to operate a scheduled international service in accordance with the Agreement between the Government of Canada and the Government of the Republic of Korea on Air Transport (Agreement).

The Agency is satisfied that the applicant meets all the applicable requirements of subsection 69(1) of the CTA. The Agency also finds that the pertinent terms and conditions of the Agreement have been complied with.

Accordingly, the Agency issues the licence.

Pursuant to subsection 71(1) of the CTA, the licence is subject to the conditions prescribed by the Air Transportation Regulations, SOR/88-58, and the following conditions:

The Licensee is authorized to operate a scheduled international service on the route(s) set out in the Agreement.
The scheduled international service is to be conducted in accordance with the Agreement and any applicable arrangements agreed to between the Republic of Korea and Canada.

https://otc-cta.gc.ca/eng/ruling/a-2025-79

[jollyburger]

T’way Air is preparing to launch a new route to Vancouver, Canada, in July, following the addition of European routes transferred from Korean Air and Asiana Airlines. The carrier currently operates the largest number of long-haul routes among domestic low-cost carriers (LCCs) and also owns the most aircraft suitable for long-distance service.

https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/new...-Air-Premia-will-refocus-on-Tway/2298914

It might get renamed to Sono Airways (or a variation) since a condominium and resort company in South Korea took over control.