YVR Airport & Sea Island Developments Discussion

[phesto]

Originally Posted by excel

AC was running daily to San Diago for a while there with a CRJ-200. What happend?

My mistake. AC operates YVR-SAN using the E190. It was Alaska who dropped that service a couple of years ago. I'll edit the post above.

RE Miami: AC used to operate on YVR-MIA october through March up until a few years ago. I never flew it, but apparently it was 6.5 hours with an A319. That is a crazy long flight without leaving the continent!

I think there is still a seasonal market for South Florida from YVR (ie. Miami, Ft Lauderdale, Orlando), but I don't see that it fits with AC's strategy. I've heard mention that WJ could do something, but I think that is a longshot.

[excel]

I didn't realize AC used E190 for San Diego, didn't the route initiate with a CRJ?

[muzhav84]

San Diego did start with a CRJ-700, but now AC has upgrade it year-round to mainline, on an E90.

Don't mean to nitpick, but Hawaii is the state, there are actually 3 unique destinations within it:
Honolulu (AC, FJ (Air Pacific), WS)
Kahului-Maui (AC, WS)
Kona (AC)*

Definitely Florida is a major area Vancouver isn't connected to. Would be nice to see AC or WS develop a route there. WS does yearround Calgary to Orlando, and a whole ton out of Toronto. What I've heard (working in the industry) is that AC focuses on Hawaii and Pacific destinations out of Vancouver (it doesn't serve Hawaii or Australia from any other city), and wants to use its Toronto hub for most Florida/Carribbean destinations. It sucks for us though, Florida is a great market

[LeftCoaster]

Hey guys, Link Building 2 is about to start up, Ill snag some pics today if I have the time.

PS how is YVR news not stickied??

[officedweller]

Link Building 2? Is that just the walkway to the Canada Line Station or more office space somewhere behind the rotunda building?

[mr.x]

Originally Posted by LeftCoaster

Hey guys, Link Building 2 is about to start up, Ill snag some pics today if I have the time.

PS how is YVR news not stickied??

Link Building 2?


Too many stickies, and not enough activity with this topic.

[excel]

Friday, 22 February 2008

Air New Zealand is to increase its direct services between Auckland and Vancouver to four a week from early December to meet strong customer demand. The airline launched the new non-stop service in November with three trips per week, on Wednesday, Friday and Sunday. The fourth service will operate on Thursdays for the peak travel season between 4 December and 26 March 2009.

Air New Zealand group general manager International Airline, Ed Sims, said today that Vancouver was proving to be one of the airline’s most successful route launches in recent years. “We had always forecast strong uptake for the new service, but it’s fair to say that we’ve been pleasantly surprised by the strength of the demand shown by customers in both markets,” he says. “We’re looking to build our services to daily as soon as possible, and will continue to work closely with the New Zealand and Canadian markets to further stimulate demand.”

Sims said there were a number of factors that had contributed to the success of the new destination. “Canada’s reputation as one of the world’s leading destinations for skiing and snowboarding – along with some fantastic outdoor adventure activities – has clearly whetted the appetite of many travellers. “We’ve also seen a great deal of interest from customers using Vancouver as a convenient gateway to destinations within Canada such as Toronto and Montreal, which can be accessed through our Star Alliance partner Air Canada.”

[SpongeG]

new zealand is really pushing their advertising lately

[SpongeG]

Melbourne Airport named in world's top five

Melbourne Airport has been named as one of the world's best for passenger service by a worldwide survey of almost 200,000 travellers.

Asian airports dominated the survey by the Airports Council International, with South Korea's Incheon, Malaysia's Kuala Lumpur International and Singapore's Changi named the world's top three for passenger service.

It was the third year in a row that Asian airports captured the first three positions in the global league table. Passengers are asked to assess factors like cleanliness, comfort of waiting areas and ease of check-in.

Melbourne reached the number five spot for airports handling 15 to 25 million passengers per year, behind Kuala Lumpur, San Diego, Zurich and Vancouver.

"This sort of recognition is timely - with our recently commences expansions of T2 set to establish new Australian benchmarks in passenger experience come 2012," said Melbourne Airport CEO Chris Woodruff.

In Europe the top spot went to Porto in Portugal, in North America to Dallas-Fort Worth, in Africa to Johannesburg, in Latin America to Ecuador's Guayaquil, and in the Middle East to Israel's Tel Aviv, ACI said.

A total of 90 airports took part in the survey conducted during 2007, said ACI, the Airports Council International which groups 580 members operating 1647 airports in 175 countries.

Incheon also headed the list in the 2006 survey, followed by Hong Kong, Kuala Lumpur and Changi on level pegging, and Dallas-Fort Worth. Fourth and fifth in the latest survey were Hong Kong and Japan's Nagoya, according to ACI.

Guayaquil, which serves Ecuador's Pacific coast business capital and was once a traveller's nightmare, has recently undergone a total makeover. Currently, like the European leader Porto, it processes under 5 million passengers a year.

By contrast, Incheon and Changi see between 25 million and 40 million travellers pass through, and Hong Kong and Dallas-Fort Worth handle more than 40 million. Kuala Lumpur processes between 15 million and 20 million.

http://www.theage.com.au/news/news/melbo...n-top-five/2008/02/27/1203788420604.html

[LeftCoaster]

Originally Posted by officedweller

Link Building 2? Is that just the walkway to the Canada Line Station or more office space somewhere behind the rotunda building?

Sorry, forgot about this thread.

Yeah the Link 2 building is the corresponding mirror of the Link 1 but instead of linking the baggage and ticket halls in the front of the airport it links the rear of the airport and includes expanded security and baggage handling capabilites.

The project is bidgeted at around 35 million and is already under construction, with the temproary walkway already built and functional. I am not sure of the timeline, as I am having trouble finding the info for this project (hence the lack of pictures), but I will keep looking.

[officedweller]

Thanks.

[SpongeG]

just a little YVR read

While away the hours at YVR

Visit a spa, get your teeth whitened or make a root beer float at the Vancouver airport

Rebecca Stevenson , The Ottawa Citizen

It's like a sudden loss of altitude in the pit of your stomach: that sinking feeling when you hear that your flight is delayed indefinitely.

In the blink of an eye, you're reduced from a peppy jetsetter to an aimless loiterer. Should you bide your time by slumping in a plastic chair and watching close-captioned curling? Try to read an entire Reader's Digest at the newsstand before being shooed away by the clerk? Latch on to the lonely girl at the knock-off sunglasses kiosk and bore her with your life story?

Stranded travellers, don't despair. Beneath the surface of any airport lies a plethora of creative activities to while away the hours. Here, we discover the secret world of Vancouver International Airport, or YVR:

The sound of music: Instantly nix about 225 minutes in the domestic terminal by getting thyself to Virgin Books and Music's CD listening station, where you can sample three full-length CDs. Should another traveller try to cut in, use the classic "cultural barriers" excuse to pretend you don't understand (furrow brow, shrug shoulders). It is an airport, after all. Warning: singing along may cut your session short.

The medical/dental plan: Proceed downstairs to the dental clinic, where you can get a one hour tooth bleaching session for only $375. Next door, at the medical clinic, travel vaccines and flu shots are on offer. For those of you thinking: "wow, can I entertain myself by getting a full physical?" the answer is a firm no. The clinic doesn't do that on a walk-in basis. Shame.

Massage or a manicure: The next best thing just might be a treatment at Absolute Spa, which provides hair, make-up, massage, facials, manicures and the rest. There are three specialty "flight delay" packages ranging from $75 to $95.

The next level: And once you're reduced to molten flesh, there is no telling what you might do next. Potential inductees to the famous "mile-high club" might want to pick up some condoms or lubrication at Pharmasave. Longstanding active members might want to pick up a pregnancy test.

Looking good: Don't forget to beautify at the Body Shop's makeup testing counter.

You've got mail: YVR is conveniently festooned with newfangled Internet stations. Sure, you could peruse a few Facebook status updates (ie: Peter is wishing he had put mustard instead of mayo into his ham sandwich). But for a twist, go to 411.ca and look up an ex's mailing address, write them a postcard and mail it from the Canada Post outlet. Content could go two ways here: either dredge up as many ancient gripes as possible or do the "my life is so much better now that you're not in it" thing and brag about your Porsche collection and frequent Whistler getaways.

People perusing: In the market for a future ex? Stalking (a softer term might be "people watching") at YVR is at its best in the International Terminal on the mezzanine above the food court, where there is a sweeping view of budget diners.

Food and drink: Gorging on unnecessary calories and boredom often go hand-in-hand. But instead of defaulting to a personal dozen at Tim Hortons, why not add some flare to your consumption? Saunter down to the 7-Eleven in the Domestic Terminal and relive childhood by making your own root beer float (ice cream from the freezer plus fountain pop) or sipping a slurpee. Or relive the rebellious teenage years by picking up the cheapest bottle of vodka at the adjacent liquor store and stealthily swigging it in the public restroom.

As for solids, YVR boasts all of the standard fare. But wise travellers know that pre-flight sloppy whoppers could create unwanted digestive turbulence (not desirable when the seatbelt sign is illuminated).

Treat yourself to a swanky meal at the Fairmont Vancouver Airport's Globe@YVR or Jetside Lounge restaurants, where you can sink your posh derrière into stuffed armchairs and take in the exclusive view of the runways. Take that, Milan!

Once the purse strings are loosened, an $11.99 gourmet candy apple at the Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory may seem justifiable.

Work it, baby: As you lick the last remnants of an Ultimate Oreo Tiramisu Caramel Apple, a herd of perfectly toned flight attendants is bound to bounce by and inspire an aftertaste of guilt. If so, drag your bloated body back to the Fairmont and use the Health Club ($10 for just the shower and sauna, $15 for the gym and pool). You can even drop into yoga and pilates classes.

Shhhh ... Had your fill of these sushi-eating, downward-dogging West Coast health maniacs? The Fairmont's Quiet Zone Day Room ($99 for four hours) is literally the stuff that lazy dreams are made of. Guests are provided with a night mask, ear plugs and a guarantee that no housekeeping activities (such as vacuuming) will disturb the peace.

Culture vultures: Refreshed travellers can flit about the airport and soak up a bit of culture. First Nations art installations -- including a massive Haida jade sculpture -- are scattered throughout both terminals.

A big breath in: Long delays may necessitate a breath of fresh air at some point. If so, grab a cab to the nearby fishing village of Steveston or do some plane spotting at the family park on Russ Baker Way in Richmond, which is specifically designed to give a thrilling view of planes taking off. Just don't linger there too long, as the fun takes a nosedive when that plane was yours.

- The first in an occasional look at how to pass time in the world's airports. Rebecca Stevenson is a Canadian writer based in Lewes, England who recently had hours to kill at the Vancouver airport.

http://www.canada.com/topics/travel/story.html?id=87df38e4-e5db-4797-8471-73abf15bb581&k=70524&p=1

[phesto]

The YTD traffic stats are up here: http://www.yvr.ca/pdf/authority/statistics/December_Traffic_Update.pdf

YVR managed to hit their target of 17.5 million passengers in 2007 (3.4% growth over '06), playing catch-up over a busy holiday season.

[phesto]

Also, cargo traffic hasn't really grown at all, and is still way down from 1999, when it peaked at 269,000 tonnes.

Interesting timing on this announcement, although I'm not sure what impact, if any, it is going to have in growing cargo traffic.

YVR approved for international air cargo transshipment program

Canada’s Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities, Laurence Cannon, has announced approval for YVR to participate in the international air cargo transshipment program. The program simplifies air carrier access to the airport for air cargo transshipment, allowing the airport to seek new market opportunities and further develop its air cargo transshipment activity.

“Our government is pleased to have the international air cargo transshipment program in place,” said Minister Cannon. “Vancouver International Airport now has an additional tool to help develop its air cargo business, which will benefit the local economy.”

The air cargo program allows air cargo to be moved through Canada for shipment to third countries. For example, cargo could be flown from the United States into Vancouver, stored temporarily, and then flown to an Asian destination. Similarly, international air cargo could also arrive from overseas and then be shipped by rail or road from Vancouver to the United States, allowing the airport to take full advantage of the Asia-Pacific gateway and corridor.

“One of the key goals of the Asia- Pacific Gateway and Corridor Initiative is to make our West Coast ports and airports a destination of choice for shippers that take goods back and forth between Asia and North America,” said David Emerson, Minister of International Trade and Minister for the Pacific Gateway and the Vancouver-Whistler Olympics. “With this new transshipment capacity, the Vancouver International Airport is moving one step further toward becoming a true transportation and logistics hub for the whole North American market.”

The program enables the Canadian Transportation Agency to authorize any Canadian or foreign air carrier to use YVR to transship international air cargo, even if these rights are not provided in Canada’s bilateral air transport agreements. In addition, air carriers will be able to combine such cargo transshipments with other services for which they may be licensed.

“The program fits well with our overall gateway strategy for air cargo,” said Larry Berg, Vancouver International Airport Authority president and CEO. “It puts Vancouver International Airport in a more competitive position in facilitating international goods movement. With this program we are better equipped to offer a more efficient routing to carriers serving the Asian and North American marketplaces.”

Cargo security is addressed during the application process, and on an ongoing basis, in the context of broader security monitoring by Transport Canada and the operational activities of the Canada Border Services Agency. The Asia-Pacific Gateway and Corridor Initiative is a national initiative that was designed to contribute to Canada’s economic competitiveness, while also benefiting communities through which increasing volumes of trade must move. In its first eight months, Asia-Pacific Gateway and Corridor Initiative projects, valued at $2.2-billion, were announced across all four western provinces, including a federal contribution of almost $800-million.

[nikw]

Mabey im just way behind the times, but I took a flight to Toronto last week, and when I came back, the ramp from after the security checkpoint in the domestic terminal to the domestic gates was relocated with a temporary one off to the side and the other one closed down.

Does anyone know whats happening here? Because from what i saw there was no reason to in terms of anything in that general area that needed updating.

[LeftCoaster]

^ Link 2 building...

*See about 5 posts up

[muzhav84]

YVR posted amazing traffic statistics for January, with total traffic up 9%. Highlights include 21% growth in Asia Pacific traffic and 27% growth in Miscellaneous (mostly Mexico, Cuba, etc...). Anyone who has followed traffic stats at YVR will know, Asia Pacific traffic hasn't grown that much in recent years (there has been lots of new services and airlines, etc... but in reality, total growth has been slow for years). So to see this increase is definitely good news.

Not to start anything, but purely as a point of reference, the fast growing Calgary Airport only posted 3.12% growth. But notable for them was a 1% decline in transborder traffic, and only 1% growth in international traffic. This doesn't indicate a trend or anything, but it is an interesting comparison.

Here are the links:
http://www.yvr.ca/pdf/authority/statistics/January_Traffic_Update.pdf
http://www.calgaryairport.com/fts/getfile.cfm?FID=10166

[phesto]

Originally Posted by muzhav84

YVR posted amazing traffic statistics for January, with total traffic up 9%. Highlights include 21% growth in Asia Pacific traffic and 27% growth in Miscellaneous (mostly Mexico, Cuba, etc...). Anyone who has followed traffic stats at YVR will know, Asia Pacific traffic hasn't grown that much in recent years (there has been lots of new services and airlines, etc... but in reality, total growth has been slow for years). So to see this increase is definitely good news.

Not to start anything, but purely as a point of reference, the fast growing Calgary Airport only posted 3.12% growth. But notable for them was a 1% decline in transborder traffic, and only 1% growth in international traffic. This doesn't indicate a trend or anything, but it is an interesting comparison.

Here are the links:
http://www.yvr.ca/pdf/authority/statistics/January_Traffic_Update.pdf
http://www.calgaryairport.com/fts/getfile.cfm?FID=10166

Impressive. I suppose Aus/NZ are included in Asia Pacific? I hear the Air NZ and the new AC Sydney non-stop routes are doing quite well which would support those traffic stats.

Not surprised to see YYC have a flat month or two, traffic at both YYC and YEG has been growing at such a rapid pace; gotta slow down at some point.

[Stingray2004]

Originally Posted by muzhav84

YVR posted amazing traffic statistics for January, with total traffic up 9%.

Thanks for the heads up! Very impressive numbers!

[Stingray2004]

dp