YVR Airport & Sea Island Developments Discussion

[trofirhen]

Originally Posted by Johnny Aussie

Daily year-round service starting 9 December on 737-700s. The flight will be operated as a red eye.

http://yvr.ca/en/flight-information/late...YVR_Welcomes_New_Carrier-3547263362.aspx

AM696 MEX1800-2205YVR 73W Daily
AM697 YVR2320-0700MEX 73W Daily

This route had been rumoured for ages a few years back after Mexicana collapsed.. But hadn't heard anything recently.

This will be AM's third destination in Canada after YYZ and YUL.

AM will be YVR's 8th SkyTeam airline.

Do you think this may cause Air Canada to pull out of that route, or can it support both airlines?

[Johnny Aussie]

Originally Posted by trofirhen

Do you think this may cause Air Canada to pull out of that route, or can it support both airlines?

I reckon it can. Aeromexico can tap into its vast network in MEX to an array of sun destinations both in Mexico and Central America. Plus I will bet we will see some sort of code share action on other Skyteam flights to TPE and PVG for example. Also, the inbound flights are timed to connect with some of the late night Asian flights, as stated in the press release. I think the YVR-MEX market is big enough to sustain both. In fact, I wouldn't rule out Interjet or Volaris entering the YVR market either.

The fact that they picked YVR as their third Canadian destination should say something about their confidence in the YVR market. They could have entered other markets where there is no direct link to MEX already.

[casper]

Originally Posted by trofirhen

Do you think this may cause Air Canada to pull out of that route, or can it support both airlines?

For comparison

AC997 MEX0605-0955YVR 319 Daily
AC996 YVR1555-2320MEX 319 Daily

AC connecting with some of the mid-day Asia flights. The AM connects with the late night flights. No idea what the split is between connecting and local passengers.

[Johnny Aussie]

Originally Posted by casper

For comparison

AC997 MEX0605-0955YVR 319 Daily
AC996 YVR1555-2320MEX 319 Daily

AC connecting with some of the mid-day Asia flights. The AM connects with the late night flights. No idea what the split is between connecting and local passengers.

Yeah, and just watch to see what http://www.aeromexicovacations.com/ comes up with for the upcoming winter. Very timely start at 9 December.
31" pitch in economy, they also have a "tourist plus" option plus J-class on their 73Ws. And free tequila. LOL

These flights will compete with Westjet, Sunwing, Air Transat and rouge. Plus if you are a SkyTeam frequent flyer, another incentive. Despite their growth in Western Canada, Sunwing's reputation is still quite poor given their on-time performance and "last-minute route changes...." today you think you are flying non-stop, tomorrow you are now flying via Swift Current.

[cyeg66]

Originally Posted by Johnny Aussie

Despite their growth in Western Canada, Sunwing's reputation is still quite poor given their on-time performance and "last-minute route changes...." today you think you are flying non-stop, tomorrow you are now flying via Swift Current.

Hey, what you got against Speedy Creek?

Since they're looking westward, hopefully AM is thinking of someday picking up the Aberta flying as Mexicana once did. Believe it or not, not everybody is trying to get to that "other" North American country for the sole purpose of visting their beaches. Despite the fact it looks like the NDP may get to dabble with the purse here (for a couple of years), there should still be a bit of business to conduct there.

[trofirhen]

Originally Posted by casper

For comparison

AC997 MEX0605-0955YVR 319 Daily
AC996 YVR1555-2320MEX 319 Daily

AC connecting with some of the mid-day Asia flights. The AM connects with the late night flights. No idea what the split is between connecting and local passengers.

This connecting time convenience with Asia flights may be an augur of greater things to come. I hope so.

[Johnny Aussie]

The CAA (Civil Aviation Authority) in the UK has released preliminary March stats. Both LHR and LGW saw excellent growth.

http://www.caa.co.uk/docs/80/airport_dat...015_Provisional_International_Routes.pdf

LHR-YVR was up 10% (about 4,000 passengers) to 44,104. That's about an 88.6% LF.
LGW-YVR was up 62% (about 1,600 passengers) to 4,286.

Overall YVR-London in March was up over 5,000 pax compared to 2014 and approaching 50,000 in a very off season month. Excellent result.

[Johnny Aussie]

Since last time....

United - Prepare to see a lot of 737-900 flights in late June, July and August. In fact, very few flights operating smaller than a 320. Last summer, United seemed to be obssessed with the A319 and YVR... LOL. Also, more mainline versus Express flying compared to last summer. IAD will only operate on Saturdays though. SFO is all mainline weekdays this summer.

Delta - going E75 on SLC as well and on one of the five daily SEA flights.
A320s will be put on one of the two daily flights to SLC starting mid August for the end of the summer season.

That's all for today folks.

[SFUVancouver]

Thanks Johnny. Love your updates. Where on earth do you find all of your information?

[Johnny Aussie]

Originally Posted by SFUVancouver

Thanks Johnny. Love your updates. Where on earth do you find all of your information?

Thanks.

Johnny Aussie works in mysterious ways and has a plethora of tools at his disposal including some very enthusiastic helpers!

[trofirhen]

The Air France Great Circle Route to PPT (Tahiti) passes ONE MILE short of LAX !!!

Total distance: 9776 miles / 15732 km though LAX. * Through YVR: 9824 miles / 15811 km.
That's a difference of 48 miles or 79 km! Could this potentialize an eventual route from YVR to PPT? (Qantas once had a brief run at it, but that was then and this is now).

[trofirhen]

That TWOV program was, is, and will become a game changer in YVR's status; if YVR gets it

Craig Richmond, angrily denounced the federal budget for containing NO provision at all for aviation.
Secondly, whereas he had earlier a predicted on TWOV at YVR to be announced by April, he is aware of the delay.

::::::

"Separate from the budget, Richmond has yet to find satisfaction from the federal government on the issue of a travel-without-visa (TWV) program.
That program, which Richmond has lobbied hard for since being appointed VAA’s CEO in the summer of 2013 , would make it possible for Asian travellers, for example, to land in Vancouver, wait in a lounge area with shops and services and then board a separate flight to Central America or South America. All of that would take place without having to get a Canadian visa or to go through Canadian customs.
He optimistically predicted in October that the federal government would agree to such a program “in the month or so.”
He still expects to eventually see the program be approved despite about five federal departments being involved.
If such a program is not approved, other cities, such as Dallas or Seattle, could snag the title of being North America’s gateway to Asia."

::::::

*Interesting full read, for people who were looking forward to TWOV.
https://www.biv.com/article/2015/4/nothing-federal-budget-aviation-yvr-ceo/
plants a seed oubt of doubt about the sincerity of Lisa Raitt and others. And it matters.

[moosejaw]

Originally Posted by trofirhen

That TWOV program was, is, and will become a game changer in YVR's status; if YVR gets it

Craig Richmond, angrily denounced the federal budget for containing NO provision at all for aviation.
Secondly, whereas he had earlier a predicted on TWOV at YVR to be announced by April, he is aware of the delay.

::::::

"Separate from the budget, Richmond has yet to find satisfaction from the federal government on the issue of a travel-without-visa (TWV) program.
That program, which Richmond has lobbied hard for since being appointed VAA’s CEO in the summer of 2013 , would make it possible for Asian travellers, for example, to land in Vancouver, wait in a lounge area with shops and services and then board a separate flight to Central America or South America. All of that would take place without having to get a Canadian visa or to go through Canadian customs.
He optimistically predicted in October that the federal government would agree to such a program “in the month or so.”
He still expects to eventually see the program be approved despite about five federal departments being involved.
If such a program is not approved, other cities, such as Dallas or Seattle, could snag the title of being North America’s gateway to Asia."

::::::

*Interesting full read, for people who were looking forward to TWOV.
https://www.biv.com/article/2015/4/nothing-federal-budget-aviation-yvr-ceo/
plants a seed oubt of doubt about the sincerity of Lisa Raitt and others. And it matters.

I would love to see this. But given DFW and SEATACS current offerings to ASIA. I dont see this happening soon. If anything MIA (miami) has the most offerings to Latin America, but even a flight from Miami to even Tokyo is a stretch by todays airline offerings. Vancouver is in the best position to offer this service however with YYZ (Toronto) current (but limited) connections to Latin America is likely to be claimed. YVR will need to land clients like LanChile perhaps Avianca or Aerolineas Argentina. Every other airline in South America is pretty sketchy.

[trofirhen]

Originally Posted by moosejaw

I would love to see this. But given DFW and SEATACS current offerings to ASIA. I dont see this happening soon. If anything MIA (miami) has the most offerings to Latin America, but even a flight from Miami to even Tokyo is a stretch by todays airline offerings. Vancouver is in the best position to offer this service however with YYZ (Toronto) current (but limited) connections to Latin America is likely to be claimed. YVR will need to land clients like LanChile perhaps Avianca or Aerolineas Argentina. Every other airline in South America is pretty sketchy.

I realize that other cities have, and will have access to South America than YVR ever will.
The main reason I had hoped for the TWV was simply so that we'd get a few more US routes year-round, like Atlanta, Washington, and Orlando, Miami, and flights into
three South American cities: Lima, Santiago, and São Paulo. I don't think I was being overambitious. Evidently, Johnny pointed out, for example, that there is already a high O/D flight pax number Brazil to YVR. This all helps. Additionally, I was informed by a route development person at YVR that the exising bilaterals for, as example, Peru to Vancouver, are quite open.
One can hope that the same accessibity is available to Chile and Brazil.
If the government was not dragging its ass on this, we could see such routes become active, albeit incrementally. But it's still part of the action YVR would be grabbing, helping make it a truly global hub.

[moosejaw]

I think Lima Santiago and Sao Paulo are definite considerations for YVR destinations. And there are a good number of Brazilian foreign exchange students in Vancouver for sure. I'd just hate to see the nod go to YYZ instead of YVR.

[Hourglass]

Originally Posted by moosejaw

I would love to see this. But given DFW and SEATACS current offerings to ASIA. I dont see this happening soon. If anything MIA (miami) has the most offerings to Latin America, but even a flight from Miami to even Tokyo is a stretch by todays airline offerings. Vancouver is in the best position to offer this service however with YYZ (Toronto) current (but limited) connections to Latin America is likely to be claimed. YVR will need to land clients like LanChile perhaps Avianca or Aerolineas Argentina. Every other airline in South America is pretty sketchy.

The big disadvantage of transiting via the US is the hassle travelers face from TSA. Also, most US airports are not well set-up to handle international transit connections. These issues are what YVR is trying to exploit.

[red-paladin]

Trofirhen, latest update on TWOV: http://www.vancouversun.com/touch/story.html?id=10995602

[moosejaw]

Originally Posted by Hourglass

The big disadvantage of transiting via the US is the hassle travelers face from TSA. Also, most US airports are not well set-up to handle international transit connections. These issues are what YVR is trying to exploit.

its the same hassle that CATSA employs. I just came back from Calgary and Toronto. Other than that x ray machine, i dont see any difference.
BTW Calgarys airport is going to be real nice. And it was nice to go through YYZ Terminal 1 for a change. Ive only been in Terminal 3 whenever i visited Toronto.

[trofirhen]

Originally Posted by red-paladin

Trofirhen, latest update on TWOV: http://www.vancouversun.com/touch/story.html?id=10995602

Thanks Red. In fact I had already read that, but I was thinking of another speech Richmond made to a business organisation, in which
he both expressed a great chagrin that there was no provision for aviation in the new federal budget.
Secondly, he remarked on the government's slowness to approve TWV. This was to have been announced late March/early April, and there seems no progress information as to when to truly expect it.
(Lastly, although not in the speech, YYZ wants the same thing(TWV), and this seems to raise the question in the minds of some: Will YYZ get it before YVR? ... Or will we not get it after all? What's happening?
In fact I was thinking of this:

https://www.biv.com/article/2015/4/nothing-federal-budget-aviation-yvr-ceo/

[Johnny Aussie]

The first (colourful) Edelweiss A330 of the season is about an hour and 30 minutes from touch down from ZRH.

Earlier this week the first Icelandair 757 from KEF and the first Condor 767 from FRA of the season started their YVR flights.

Not a bad first week of May for YVR with the new rouge flights to KIX as well and the Aeromexico announcement.

YVR's YouTube of the KIX launch last Friday.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zMXdeE5Lx2c&feature=youtu.be

Getting quite the collection of these inaugural videos