YVR & Sea Island Developments Discussion II

[xd_1771]

There was some speculation on FlyerTalk that WestJet might be looking to base some of its new 787s on order out of Vancouver in order to hit long-range Asia markets that are a bit too far for Calgary.

If this happens, any guesses on what they could target? Perhaps KUL to provide an "oil route" or go head to head with AC for BKK?

[Nick]

I can see MNL, or even CEB for sure. Tons of Prairie Filipino diaspora for VFR travel

[mcj]

Originally Posted by Nick

I can see MNL, or even CEB for sure. Tons of Prairie Filipino diaspora for VFR travel

MNL is only ~6000 nm from Calgary, they could do that directly. It's really only India (because of Russian overflight restrictions) and Australia that end up too far for the 787-9 out of Calgary, but reachable from Vancouver. (Assuming that their distance rationale is legitimate and not just a cover up for realizing that Calgary is a small market to run a hub and spoke model out of; or they're being true Albertans and modifying the 787-9 to roll coal accounting for the substantially lower range).

[s211]

Originally Posted by xd_1771

There was some speculation on FlyerTalk that WestJet might be looking to base some of its new 787s on order out of Vancouver in order to hit long-range Asia markets that are a bit too far for Calgary.

Did WJ not sign an agreement with the Alberta government that it would exclusively run its 787s in/out of Calgary? That's my recollection.

[nname]

It is just a MOU and it expires in 2027, so it is still within the possibility. Didn't WS signed a MOU to start YVR-TIJ this winter?

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Looks like 4N is adding seasonal YVR-YKA, 2x weekly starting May 28.

[whatnext]

Originally Posted by xd_1771

There was some speculation on FlyerTalk that WestJet might be looking to base some of its new 787s on order out of Vancouver in order to hit long-range Asia markets that are a bit too far for Calgary.

If this happens, any guesses on what they could target? Perhaps KUL to provide an "oil route" or go head to head with AC for BKK?

On a recent AC flight out of YVR it was really striking how small WS presence was in terms of a/c at the terminals compared to AC. They definitely seemed to be more prominent in the past.

[Johnny Aussie]

Originally Posted by nname

Looks like 4N is adding seasonal YVR-YKA, 2x weekly starting May 28.

Has YVR become Air North’s biggest jet base?

[nname]

Originally Posted by Johnny Aussie

Has YVR become Air North’s biggest jet base?

YXY should be by far largest. YXY-YKA also shows up on 4N's route map, although I don't see any flight scheduled.

Comparing the destinations, YLW is unique to YVR, while YEG, YYC, YOW (via YZF), and YYZ are unique to YXY.

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Looks like AS's YVR-PDX is back to seasonal again, with seasonal suspension from Nov 1 to Mar 17.

[Zmonkey]

Originally Posted by nname

It is just a MOU and it expires in 2027, so it is still within the possibility. Didn't WS signed a MOU to start YVR-TIJ this winter?

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Looks like 4N is adding seasonal YVR-YKA, 2x weekly starting May 28.

Its not a financial document, it really has no weight. WestJet was not given an incentive to move all 787's to Calgary. Both the province and WestJet can end the agreenment whenever they want; it was there to build up the aerospace market in AB more than anything else (which it actually did).

The CEO of WestJet has noted the market is not big enough for all the 787's and everyone within the industry thinks a fair amount will be based in Toronto.
For Vancouver, Asia makes sense, but depending on Russia airsapce, engines, Calgary may make more sense as they can fee the flights.

With a potential of 19 787's with WestJet, its a fair assumption they will be in 3-4 cities.

[Nick]

YYC will hit capacity for international wide-body flights well before 19 aircraft. On a Friday afternoon there isn't really room for much more in the international terminal (ITB) and with the other carriers here. They might have to look at a couple arrivals at the ITB then being towed to gates 56 and 37 for departure.

[s211]

Originally Posted by Zmonkey

WestJet was not given an incentive to move all 787's to Calgary.

Was there not some government funding tied to the MOU?

[MalcolmTucker]

Originally Posted by s211

Was there not some government funding tied to the MOU?

Yes, but it became a general incentive. Alberta waives fuel taxes for all international flights.

And there were other investments in training, promotion, hiring incentives.

No dollar amount summary but all available here.

[xd_1771]

T'Way/Trinity doing a schedule adjustment to their YVR service in September is super interesting

https://www.aeroroutes.com/eng/260727-twsep26yvr

The current westbound arrives in Seoul at night time and is not convenient for connecting to anywhere in Asia, as you'll have to put up overnight. However, the new westbound schedule sets up for a 5:30 AM arrival in Seoul, making all connections possible same-day - whether you're heading to Japan or SE Asia. This should considerably boost passenger volumes and add options/competition for Japan and SE Asia.

[nname]

Originally Posted by xd_1771

T'Way/Trinity doing a schedule adjustment to their YVR service in September is super interesting

https://www.aeroroutes.com/eng/260727-twsep26yvr

The current westbound arrives in Seoul at night time and is not convenient for connecting to anywhere in Asia, as you'll have to put up overnight. However, the new westbound schedule sets up for a 5:30 AM arrival in Seoul, making all connections possible same-day - whether you're heading to Japan or SE Asia. This should considerably boost passenger volumes and add options/competition for Japan and SE Asia.

Saw this a while ago and made me wonder what would the plane be doing for more than 10 hours at YVR. Doesn't exactly sound low-cost, isn't it?

Even the KE's second daily leaving ICN 2 hours later at night, so it will only be staying at YVR for 8 hours.

With this change, looks like YVR international departure will be quite full from 10pm to 2am, especially during the winter. I think the midnight bank now surpassed the previous peak noon bank of 10am to 2pm...

[Zmonkey]

Originally Posted by MalcolmTucker

Yes, but it became a general incentive. Alberta waives fuel taxes for all international flights.

And there were other investments in training, promotion, hiring incentives.

No dollar amount summary but all available here.

Every airline is eligible, at all Alberta airports as long as the flight is leaving Canada. This helps WestJet the most, but its for everyone.

[Zmonkey]

Originally Posted by Nick

YYC will hit capacity for international wide-body flights well before 19 aircraft. On a Friday afternoon there isn't really room for much more in the international terminal (ITB) and with the other carriers here. They might have to look at a couple arrivals at the ITB then being towed to gates 56 and 37 for departure.

Depends on time of day. Morning and Europe departure windows are busy, but there is lots of extra space and time.
International terminal in Calgary essentially shuts down at 8PM as the last flights out (London) leave at that time.

That is the window they would look at for Asia, 9-11PM flights would land in the morning in China. Or late afternoon for Europe, later than typical but they have a window. (3 PM or so for Copenhagen).

International has 5 hours it can work with that currently has 0 use which can handle 12 wide bodies on its own - thats over kill, but room is there.

[Nick]

Good for departures, but there are a ton of sun and transborder arrivals in that time, especially in the winter. They could have a B789 from MUN and PVR then depart it to Asia.

[Johnny Aussie]

Zipair continues to expand at YVR

https://www.aeroroutes.com/eng/260729-zg1q27yvr

ZIPAIR Tokyo today (29JUL26) announced service increase on Tokyo Narita – Vancouver route, scheduled in the first quarter of 2027. From 05JAN27 to 27MAR27, the airline schedules 7 weekly flights, instead of 5 weekly.

ZG022 NRT1600 – 0840YVR 788 x2
ZG022 NRT1615 – 0855YVR 788 2

ZG021 YVR1040 – 1245+1NRT 788 x2
ZG021 YVR1055 – 1300+1NRT 788 2

During the same period in 2026, the airline operated 5-6 weekly flights.