YVR Airport & Sea Island Developments Discussion

[Hourglass]

Originally Posted by SpongeG

Cathay has strengthened its North American presence significantly of late. It recently announced a second-daily San Francisco (SFO) to Hong Kong (HKG) nonstop, as well as the permanent addition of a trio of nonstops from Vancouver (YVR) to Hong Kong. That means Cathay Pacific will be flying YVR–HKG 17 times per week.

http://news.cheapflights.com/airlines/2007/08/cathay-lays-on-.html

With Oasis increasing their YVR-HKG flights to daily, that means there will be 31 flights per week between the two cities! That's a lot of capacity, even with the strong ties between Van and HK. Hopefully that will translate into cheaper airfares -- I can't recall seeing prices for a ticket between HKG and YVR so high as this summer...

[Hot Rod]

Hourglass, isnt it at least 48 flights per week YVR-HKG route??

Cathay, 17 each way = 34 total
Oasis, 7 each way = 14 total

doesn't singapore airline also to to HKG from YVR?

[muzhav84]

no, Singapore Airlines flies via Seoul Incheon to Singapore. Hopefully we will see a direct non stop to Singapore in the near future. there was an article a few months ago I read that said Singapore Airlines wanted really badly to start non stop sevcie, but it was something about the bi-lateral air agreement that was preventing them. they said their load factors are close to 100%, and want to expand

[Hourglass]

Originally Posted by Hot Rod

Hourglass, isnt it at least 48 flights per week YVR-HKG route??

Cathay, 17 each way = 34 total
Oasis, 7 each way = 14 total

doesn't singapore airline also to to HKG from YVR?

I think CX's press release refers to 17 flights weekly (ie arrivals/departures counted as one), so I was calculating on that basis:

CX - 17 flights per week
Oasis - 7 flights per week
AC - 7 flights per week

for a total of 31 flights per week.

Singapore Airlines has indeed stated their desire to increase service frequency to YVR. There was even a rumor floating around earlier in the year that Singapore Airlines was planning to launch a daily SIN-HKG-YVR flight while keeping the 3x weekly SIN-ICN-YVR routing -- depending on the outcome of bilateral negotiations between Singapore and Canada.

Candidly, since the Canadian government seems more intent on negotiating 'blue sky' agreements with destinations like Iceland and Ireland (which are largely irrelevant for YVR) than negotiating with countries such as Singapore, Korea, Taiwan and the Philippines (which are important), I think that it could be a while coming...

[phesto]

Originally Posted by Hourglass

Candidly, since the Canadian government seems more intent on negotiating 'blue sky' agreements with destinations like Iceland and Ireland (which are largely irrelevant for YVR) than negotiating with countries such as Singapore, Korea, Taiwan and the Philippines (which are important), I think that it could be a while coming...

I remember hearing the Feds and YVR talking about how Blue Sky would reinforce the Pacific Gateway initiative, but without an announcement on some kind of progress on an agreement, it will be difficult for YVR to continue to put a positive spin on this.

Dug this up from last fall:

For release November 28, 2006
“BLUE SKY TO BOOST
ASIA-PACIFIC GATEWAY” — EMERSON

OTTAWA — The Honourable David Emerson, Minister of International Trade and Minister for the Pacific Gateway welcomed yesterday’s announcement from the Honourable Lawrence Cannon, Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities, on a new international air transportation policy called Blue Sky.

Canada’s New Government introduced Blue Sky to create opportunities for travellers, businesses and the air industry. It also hopes to build upon recent successes with the expansion of air services agreements in the Asia-Pacific region, including China and India.

“Blue Sky is a major boost for the Asia-Pacific Gateway and Corridor Initiative, as air transportation will help build fast and efficient linkages between Canada and the growing economies of Asia,” said Minister Emerson. “With increased competition, more goods, services and people will move through our western airports, as part of the Gateway.”

[Hot Rod]

Originally Posted by Hourglass

I think CX's press release refers to 17 flights weekly (ie arrivals/departures counted as one), so I was calculating on that basis:

CX - 17 flights per week
Oasis - 7 flights per week
AC - 7 flights per week

for a total of 31 flights per week.

Singapore Airlines has indeed stated their desire to increase service frequency to YVR. There was even a rumor floating around earlier in the year that Singapore Airlines was planning to launch a daily SIN-HKG-YVR flight while keeping the 3x weekly SIN-ICN-YVR routing -- depending on the outcome of bilateral negotiations between Singapore and Canada.

Candidly, since the Canadian government seems more intent on negotiating 'blue sky' agreements with destinations like Iceland and Ireland (which are largely irrelevant for YVR) than negotiating with countries such as Singapore, Korea, Taiwan and the Philippines (which are important), I think that it could be a while coming...

Hourglass, typically Airlines count a schedule based on the departure, for instance HKG-YVR would be one departure, but the route itself would typically consist of at least two flights (a departure and a return) to form a round-trip.

For 17 flights a week for CX, that would be 17 scheduled departures on the HKG-YVR; with return departures (of course) to equate to 34 total flights. I assume there are two R/T flights each day, with 3 round trips on 3 days; to give 17 RoundTrips.

The 7 flights for AirCanada and Oasis resp, would be 7 roundtrips each, for a total of 14 flights per airline.

So, given this YVR would have:

HKG-YVR = 62 total flights (31 roundtrips)
OASIS 7 roundtrips weekly (aka a daily roundtrip flight) = 14 flights [all 747]
AC 7 roundtrips weekly = 14 flights
CX 17 roundtrips weekly = 34 flights [all 747]

Let me know if you disagree.

I was thinking Singapore was using HKG in its SIN-YVR route but I think it uses Seoul instead. The HKG-YVR route is impressive nonetheless.

[The_Henry_Man]

^The new Oasis flight between HKG-YVR is needed, and it definitely relieves a lot of pressure and demands for the seats. There's no more low/high season anymore compared to 10 years ago, the seats are usually very full or near full daily. It's a lot of trouble and hassles if you're on 90% off discount tickets, because you're not on high priority and you have to wait until everyone got on the plane. This is according to my dad says, who works at Cathay Pacific.

[Hourglass]

Originally Posted by Hot Rod

Hourglass, typically Airlines count a schedule based on the departure, for instance HKG-YVR would be one departure, but the route itself would typically consist of at least two flights (a departure and a return) to form a round-trip.

For 17 flights a week for CX, that would be 17 scheduled departures on the HKG-YVR; with return departures (of course) to equate to 34 total flights. I assume there are two R/T flights each day, with 3 round trips on 3 days; to give 17 RoundTrips.

The 7 flights for AirCanada and Oasis resp, would be 7 roundtrips each, for a total of 14 flights per airline.

So, given this YVR would have:

HKG-YVR = 62 total flights (31 roundtrips)
OASIS 7 roundtrips weekly (aka a daily roundtrip flight) = 14 flights [all 747]
AC 7 roundtrips weekly = 14 flights
CX 17 roundtrips weekly = 34 flights [all 747]

Let me know if you disagree.

I was thinking Singapore was using HKG in its SIN-YVR route but I think it uses Seoul instead. The HKG-YVR route is impressive nonetheless.

I think we're into semantics here Like I said, I was basing this off of the CX press release. But yes, we are talking 31 round-trips per week -- or 62 total flights.

It seems that many Asian airlines serving YVR would like to increase service frequency but are constrained by current bilateral agreements. SQ is running at >90% loads year-round. KE and PR have all stated they would like to increase service. It's too bad the Canadian government is moving so slowly on this. YVR risks losing out to SEA and other US west coast hubs.

[Hot Rod]

yeah, I thought we meant the same things. ....

kudos.

[excel]

Originally Posted by Hot Rod

CX 17 roundtrips weekly = 34 flights [all 747]

2/3rds are actually a340s.

[Hourglass]

YVR named best airport in North America and 9th worldwide (the only North American airport to crack the top 10 list) in latest Skytrax airport survey

http://www.airlinequality.com/news/080807-Awards.htm

[deasine]

That's really good and I think our airport actually deserves it. Now it just needs to add some features, such as airport lounges and free WiFi =)

Maybe just a few renovatiosn too and I think it would go even better.

[excel]

Must be a typo for 9th cus in the list on this page it shows us in 8th.
http://www.worldairportawards.com/Awards_2007/Airport2007.htm

[Hourglass]

Originally Posted by excel

Must be a typo for 9th cus in the list on this page it shows us in 8th.
http://www.worldairportawards.com/Awards_2007/Airport2007.htm

Hah! I didn't notice that. I'm sure Skytrax will correct the press release posthaste.

Can't argue with the top four selections (HK, Singapore, Seoul Incheon and Munich). But in my completely unbiased opinion I think YVR stacks up pretty well against the others on the list. They just need to do something about the queues at immigration during peak hours (and I'm not sure that is something the airport authority can even control).

[twoNeurons]

They have limited control over it, actually. A friend who works with their planning committee was responsibile, for example, for separating incoming passengers into "to US" and International bound. YVRs highest priority is people transferring to the US. They want the transborder stuff.

[Hot Rod]

Yeah, Osaka Kansai is 9th. I wonder why they slipped from 4th tho.

It is good to see sister cities (Vancouver, Osaka) on lists!!! Sort of validates the whole sister city thing.

[twoNeurons]

Osaka is Vancouver's Sister City? Really... interesting.

[phesto]

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.
----------------------------------------------------

Note that they’re still sticking by the projection of 17.5 million for 2007; that’s a 3.6% increase over 2006.

[phesto]

Btw, here is the YTD Traffic as of July 1 (w/% change)

Domestic 4,240,836 3.0%
Transborder 2,102,999 4.5%
Int'l 1,906,089 2.6%

Unless July and August have unusually busy, 3.6% for the year seems about right.

[phesto]

Air Canada Increases Winter Service On Key Western Routes

This winter, in addition to introducing non-stop seasonal services from Vancouver to the Mexican destinations of Ixtapa and Los Cabos, and Santa Clara, Cuba, Air Canada will begin its previously announced new routes to Yellowknife and Sydney, Australia.

Starting on December 1, Air Canada Jazz will begin daily, non-stop flights from Vancouver to Yellowknife, using Jazz’s 50-seat CRJ aircraft. The service will complement daily flights from Air Canada’s most northern Canadian destination to Edmonton and Calgary. Flights have been timed to offer convenient connections to and from Japan, and points within British Columbia.

On December 14, Air Canada’s will begin the onlydaily, non-stop flights from Vancouver to Sydney, Australia. Flights will utilize Boeing 777 aircraft that feature lie-flat beds in business class. The airline has also announced that it will continue daily non-stop service to Sacramento launched this past summer.

Service to Tokyo/Narita, Japan will increase to nine flights each week. Also, the carrier will add additional daily flights from Vancouver to: Ottawa, Toronto, Calgary, Edmonton, Prince George, Kamloops, Kelowna, Los Angeles and San Francisco.

-----------------------------------------------------

July's traffic was less than impressive:

July 07 July 06 %Chg YTD 07 YTD 06 %Chg
Total 1,787,322 1,782,416 0.3% 10,037,241 9,769,790 2.7%