YVR Airport & Sea Island Developments Discussion - Page 183

hollywoodnorth · #**3641** Posted **Jul 17, 2011, 5:06 PM**

thx for all the updates Johnny Aussie!

looks like YVR will have a nice upward trent in passenger numbers this year.

SpongeG · #**3642** Posted **Jul 19, 2011, 4:10 AM**

New cargo-only flight takes B.C. goods to China

Berries, fish shipped four times a week

By Brian Morton, Postmedia News July 18, 2011

Claude Tchao believes the launch of Canada's first allfreight cargo flight service between Vancouver and mainland China will not only keep his existing Chinese customers happy but open new markets for seafood exports.

"This shortens the time by about three to five hours between Shanghai and Vancouver," the chairman of Richmond-based Tri-Star Seafood said of the China Southern Airlines service, which recently began flights to China's manufacturing and industrial centre.

"There's less handling and it's more efficient.

Customers get the product much faster, especially in peak season. This will be very beneficial."

Tchao, who exports live Dungeness crabs and geoducks, a type of clam, to a Chinese market that's keen on B.C. seafood products, is one of the first local business owners to take advantage of the fourtimes-a-week service by China Southern, which also began three-times-a-week passenger flights between Vancouver and Guangzhou last month.

Tchao also uses Cathay Pacific's cargo flights to Hong Kong, where his seafood is transferred to other destinations around China, and he will continue doing so. But he said the new China Southern flights could prompt "fierce competition" for the Chinese cargo market involving other airlines as well.

He noted that Cathay's cargo prices are a bit cheaper than China Southern's.

Tchao said that on one China Southern all-cargo flight, he shipped 68 cases of crabs, with 20 to 25 crabs in each case, and 14 cases of geoducks, each case carrying 20 to 22 geoducks.

The seafood is shipped directly to wholesale distributors in China, who then deliver the product to seafood markets, where most are bought by restaurants for use in banquets.

Although the launch of China Southern's passenger service to Guangzhou garnered most of the attention last month, its lesser known all-cargo service is also a major reason for the airline's entry into the B.C. market.

As the first all-freight cargo carrier between Vancouver and Shanghai, China Southern will be transporting products such as B.C.-grown berries, salmon and other seafood products to China, with electronic equipment, including cellphones, and new clothing coming the other way from Shanghai to Vancouver.

The new service comes as Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird embarks on a trip to China, news of which was greeted well by members of Canada's business community anxious to boost economic ties with the ever-growing superpower

Baird signalled several weeks ago that strengthening trade ties with the world's second-largest economic power is a "priority."

A Vancouver Airport Authority official said that due to the airport's strategic Pacific Rim location and access to North America's rail and highway systems, the new service is also a viable option for businesses in the larger Pacific Northwest region and, in fact, has already been used by Washington state berry shippers .

...

Read more: http://www.calgaryherald.com/cargo+only+flight+takes+goods+China/5117921/story.html#ixzz1SWMro3eu

Johnny Aussie · #**3643** Posted **Jul 20, 2011, 9:38 AM**

Just noticed Westjet going to have a pretty decent bump this winter:
(comparison is to last winter scheds)

Transborder
HNL up 2 to 13 p/w
LIH up 1 to 3 p/w
KOA up 1 to 3 p/w
OGG up 2 to 14 p/w
PHX up 1 to 7 p/w
SNA up 7 to 7 p/w (new route from this summer)

WS will have 82 transborder flights per week. This is an increase of 14 flights per week compared to Winter 10/11.

International
CUN up 1 to 7 p/w

As noted before MBJ is gone.

International will have 16 flights per week, same as last winter.

Total Westjet transborder/international is up to a massive 98 flights per week from YVR this winter!

trofirhen · #**3644** Posted **Jul 20, 2011, 5:13 PM**

Great to see Westjet doing so well, and giving Air Toronto some unexpected competition.

However, in addition this, I've heard talk of Westjet being the main occupant of Pier A in the Domestic Terminal. Can anyone fill me in on this? Any photos? Any development going on?

Hurray for our side, anyway.

s211 · #**3645** Posted **Jul 20, 2011, 5:44 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by trofirhen

However, in addition this, I've heard talk of Westjet being the main occupant of Pier A in the Domestic Terminal.

Talk of? Haven't they already been exclusive in Pier A for a few years now?

Are you perhaps thinking B?

Gordon · #**3646** Posted **Jul 20, 2011, 9:03 PM**

Westjet has been the only tenant of Pier A for a number of years now the Airport Authority renovated the area & installed the over the wing dual headed bridges. Pier B became overflow for WestJet when the expanded pier C opened.

deasine · #**3647** Posted **Jul 20, 2011, 10:47 PM**

There would also be a few AC planes using Pier B at times. Conclusion? Larger, better airport needed.

Johnny Aussie · #**3648** Posted **Jul 21, 2011, 2:28 AM**

Here is the Westjet press release....

http://westjet2.mediaroom.com/index.php?s=43&item=571

It doesn't talk about all the additions, just highlights. Usually Westjet press releases are a lot more detailed than this, but this one is bordering on the vague.

On the domestic front, Westjet is adding 1 daily flight on the YVR-YYZ route. There will now be a total of 6 per day (lesser on weekends). A few other domestic routes have a tweek of a weekly frequency up or down, but other than the additional daily Toronto, nothing significant at all.

whatnext · #**3649** Posted **Jul 22, 2011, 12:08 AM**

YVR is celebrating its 80th anniversary with a number of events over this coming weekend:

http://www.yvr.ca/en/flight-information/latest-information/11-07-12/80_Years_Come_Celebrate.aspx

Canadian Mind · #**3650** Posted **Jul 22, 2011, 2:39 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by whatnext

YVR is celebrating its 80th anniversary with a number of events over this coming weekend:

http://www.yvr.ca/en/flight-information/latest-information/11-07-12/80_Years_Come_Celebrate.aspx

Great... Was hoping for as little hassel as possible getting through the airport.

deasine · #**3651** Posted **Jul 22, 2011, 8:50 PM**

Quote:

Vancouver airport turns 80
When it opened there was a single runway, now it welcomes 17 million passengers a year
Gerry Bellett, Vancouver Sun: Friday, July 22, 2011 12:08 PM

Tony Gugliotta, senior vice president for marketing and commercial development at Vancouver International Airport in Richmond poses July 20, 2011 in the Link Atrium that connects the domestic and international terminals with the Canada Line.
Photo Credit: Ric Ernst, VANCOUVER SUN
In 1927, aviation icon Charles Lindbergh turned up his nose at flying into Vancouver as part of a North American tour marking his epic New York-to-Paris flight because "there was no field fit to land on."

Their invitation rejected, the city fathers were stung into action and four years later, on July 22, 1931, the Vancouver airport was officially opened on Sea Island with a hard-surfaced runway, the first in Canada.

So there, Charles.

And today, as Vancouver International Airport celebrates its 80th birthday, it draws delegations from airports around the world to admire its public art and West Coast decoration.

"There's a growing number of airports coming to talk to us about it," says Don Ehrenholz, vice-president of operations at the Vancouver Airport Authority.

They, too, would like their airports to showcase their regions, in the same way that Vancouver is reflected in the airport's theme of forest, sea and native art - the centrepiece being Bill Reid's Jade Canoe.

"They talk to us about how they can move in that direction. It's a growing trend," says Ehrenholz.

The original airport, bought and paid for by the City of Vancouver, was located where the south terminal is today.

It might have been elsewhere; the city looked at various sites, including one on the mud flats in North Vancouver, according to airport historian Richard Cook.

"They were looking all over for sites and they did consider North Vancouver, but the area was part of an Indian reserve so they went to Richmond," says Cook, who began working at the airport in 1957 and is now retired.

He believes the two biggest events in the airport's history were moving the main terminal to its present site in 1968 and the creation of the Vancouver Airport Authority in July 1992.

"Moving the terminal to the north allowed the airport to expand. By 1968, we were completely overcrowded in the old terminal. We needed room to breathe," says Cook.

"Then creating the airport authority enabled the airport to expand faster than it would under the federal government," said Cook.

Ehrenholz says that move was necessary because the federal government didn't have the money to fund the necessary expansion of the airport.

"Transport Canada decided to move to privatization and the Vancouver Airport Authority was born - the first airport to be privatized in Canada," he says.

Since then, more than $2.5 billion worth of expansion has occurred at the airport, including a new international terminal, a new runway, development of hotel and commercial facilities and the commissioning of public art.

In 1968, the new terminal provided 700,000 square feet. Today's terminal encompasses 3.5 million square feet and will likely expand again within the next 10 years, says Ehrenholz.

"We have 17 million passengers a year now [compared to 1,072 the year the airport first opened] and we can handle up to 21 million depending on the mix of aircraft. We expect to be up to 24-to-25 million within 10 years so there will have to be some growth - about five or six more gates - but not as much as we've seen in the last 10 years," he says.

Ehrenholz says YVR wants the airport to become a transit hub for passengers coming from Europe or Asia and heading to other destinations.

"We'd like to grow that business in the next 10 years. It would bring in people and maybe during the two hours they spend getting a coffee here they would get a brief taste of the West Coast and decide to come back for a visit," he says. But all that's in the future. Today is about the past.

So happy birthday, YVR.

YVR OPEN HOUSE

Two-day celebration

In recognition of YVR's 80th anniversary, the Vancouver Airport Authority is acknowledging the past and celebrating the future with a free community open house today and Saturday.

The two-day open house celebration takes place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. both days, and highlights include an airside ballet at 11 a.m. daily; an 80 Memorable Moments photo gallery; a vintage aircraft display at the South Terminal; aircraft flypasts; a variety of family entertainment; and free commemorative giveaways. For detailed information and a schedule of events, visit www. yvr.ca.

(Global TV BC 2011)

Yume-sama · #**3652** Posted **Aug 3, 2011, 8:24 PM**

I somehow missed this before; but when I was booking a flight today I noticed that the JAL Sakura Lounge at YVR has closed. Guests now must use the "Plaza Premium Lounge". Too bad, really~

Johnny Aussie · #**3653** Posted **Aug 3, 2011, 11:10 PM**

^ Welcome to continual downsizing/cost-cutting of a struggling carrier.

Can you use CX's lounge instead?

The only Sakura Lounges left in N/A are JFK, SFO and HNL. They closed the ORD one in March and LAX ages ago.

Even HKG's closed last October.

deasine · #**3654** Posted **Aug 5, 2011, 12:47 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Johnny Aussie

^ Welcome to continual downsizing/cost-cutting of a struggling carrier.

Can you use CX's lounge instead?

The only Sakura Lounges left in N/A are JFK, SFO and HNL. They closed the ORD one in March and LAX ages ago.

Even HKG's closed last October.

Yeah I just noticed JAL closed their lounge. Unless you are a OneWorld Sapphire+ (JAL Mileage Bank Sapphire+ or JGC member+), you do not have access to CX lounge.

Ever since JAL ended their Mexico route from YVR, I didn't think having their lounge at YVR made much sense. Considering such few flights into YVR now, closing the lounge is really a given. Still though, JAL's product is disappointingly old and inconsistent amongst its fleet, and without a really huge overhaul of all their aircrafts, I can't see JAL improve.

In other news, both CI and MU will be reducing service to five flights weekly for the winter season.

Gordon · #**3655** Posted **Aug 5, 2011, 4:54 AM**

I wonder if Air China is going to keep it's extra flights (2:00Amdep) to PEK over the winter?

Hourglass · #**3656** Posted **Aug 5, 2011, 7:01 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gordon

I wonder if Air China is going to keep it's extra flights (2:00Amdep) to PEK over the winter?

Air China goes from 12x/week to 10x/week for Winter 2011 starting mid-September

Yume-sama · #**3657** Posted **Aug 5, 2011, 8:01 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by deasine

Yeah I just noticed JAL closed their lounge. Unless you are a OneWorld Sapphire+ (JAL Mileage Bank Sapphire+ or JGC member+), you do not have access to CX lounge.

Ever since JAL ended their Mexico route from YVR, I didn't think having their lounge at YVR made much sense. Considering such few flights into YVR now, closing the lounge is really a given. Still though, JAL's product is disappointingly old and inconsistent amongst its fleet, and without a really huge overhaul of all their aircrafts, I can't see JAL improve.

In other news, both CI and MU will be reducing service to five flights weekly for the winter season.

Well, JAL is somehow managing to turn a profit a few quarters in a row now. Their restructuring seems to be going well.

It is true they have kind of shafted Canada with their service, compared to the luxuries they give on all of their American flights. There have been a few postings that suggest JAL is unhappy with their Vancouver client base, as it's too "tourist" oriented and rarely used for business travel at all, thus they are in no rush to provide Vancouver with an updated service. This is one of the articles that mentions it (in Japanese): http://vancouver.keizai.biz/headline/643/

The article basically says that Vancouver is the lowest priority and they don't plan to offer an upgraded service, because there are very few bookings outside of Economy lol

I wonder if other airlines feel the same way~?

Gordon · #**3658** Posted **Aug 5, 2011, 8:49 PM**

What is the frequency of JAL's service to YvR and how does it compare with AC's

Yume-sama · #**3659** Posted **Aug 5, 2011, 8:51 PM**

Both 1x daily, AC has 777 in peak times, 767 this Winter. JAL is now always 767 (down from a 747 9x weekly)~

In-flight experience is better on AC I find, technology wise. As such, I'll be flying AC to Tokyo.

They actually have quite a good sale on Economy ATM for Winter travel. $225 each way. Unfortunately taxes are $300 each way lol

Waiting for Executive Class prices to fall about 50% before I book. Never have paid over $1700 one way, and won't start now (currently at $3300!)~

If you feel like — you can book a sale economy fare and upgrade to First on the morning of travel for about $500. It's not exactly full during peak times, let alone Winter...

You just don't get your choice of meal, etc. if you get more than a standard economy meal at all

Johnny Aussie · #**3660** Posted **Aug 6, 2011, 10:14 AM**

^^
Gee I wonder why JAL is surprised (unhappy) it has a lower J class base out of YVR compared to the rest of its Americas flights. JFK, ORD, SFO, LAX - hmmm I am stumped!?

When you look at how JAL has just downsized beyong belief, I am surprised they even still fly to YVR. Just look at their route map now. However, even with a heavier Y-oriented client base, there must be reasons (happy?) to still fly the route, or they would have shut it along with half their system.

I cannot think of one route in/out of Japan that has not been capacity hit or outright cancelled in the last couple of years. The latest is DL to HND.

With the latest uncertainties in financial markets, the weak (eg JAL) will be more exposed to revenue risk.

****

YVR winter updates:

AC reducing HKG to 5 weekly for mid November - mid December (standard seasonal reduction)
CA is going to be 10 weekly (same as last winter) the 12 weekly commenced in May 2011.
CI is reducing to 5 weekly, looks like for the entire winter season (versus only for certain periods last winter).
MU reducing to 5 weekly only for November to mid December (returns to daily mid December - at least at this stage).
CX maintaing the second daily 744 vs mix of 744 / 343 last winter.
CZ obviously the new kid on the block maintaining its 3 weekly flights.
KE daily through entire winter scheds this winter (up from 5 weekly last winter)
AC reducing MEX from daily to 4 weekly for a few weeks Nov - early December
KL returning to the 332 instead of the M11.
JL maintaing 763 for the entire winter scheds (as mentioned above.. not surprised!)