YVR Airport & Sea Island Developments Discussion

[Hourglass]

Originally Posted by LeftCoaster

Noticed a nice little nugget at the bottom of an article about YVR selling off it's stake in Vantage:

http://vancouversun.com/business/local-b...f-the-vantage-airport-management-company

It's a bit odd that YVR is exiting just after Vantage's big win with the LaGuardia Airport redevelopment in NYC. One of the selling points of Vantage has been YVR's success. I may be reading too much into this; perhaps it's simply down to management bandwidth as is hinted in the article. Or possibly the interests of the shareholders were diverging.

[teriyaki]

Originally Posted by Hourglass

It's a bit odd that YVR is exiting just after Vantage's big win with the LaGuardia Airport redevelopment in NYC. One of the selling points of Vantage has been YVR's success. I may be reading too much into this; perhaps it's simply down to management bandwidth as is hinted in the article. Or possibly the interests of the shareholders were diverging.

I would assume it is a little bit of both. With such a large project looming ahead, it would definitely stretch talent thin managing both the YVR expansion and LGA complete redevelopment. With a budget as large as LGA, it would be easy to see YVR's goals start playing second fiddle.

[Vagabond]

Originally Posted by Johnny Aussie

I'm sure we all agree.

It's amazing watching certain routes explode so quickly whilst others remain stagnant.

Look at CZ on YVR-CAN. Started with 3 x weekly 772, then quickly moved to daily 788 now upgauging to a 77W in a relatively short period of time. NH to HND started daily 763, quickly moved to a 788 and now going to be 789 year-round in a very short time frame.

On the other hand AF on YVR-CDG seems to be stagnant with its 5 weekly summer service and 3 weekly winter service on 772s. Despite the public statement the route is exceeding expectations.... I wonder which benchmark they are basing that statement on? Traffic volume? Load factor? Yield? Profitability? I realise that's a new route from last year but I'd be curious to know if they had planned to boost that to daily this summer had there not been the Paris attacks. To have daily CDG would be a big chest pounder for YVR. Daily flights to 6 European airports in the summer at least would be fantastic... LHR, LGW, AMS, FRA, MUC and hopefully CDG. I still think we will see AC on YVR-FRA in the near future once LH decides what to do with YVR-FRA when the 744s get phased out.

Not sure how dependent AF's YVR flight is on India-bound traffic but, for what it's worth, they are almost always the cheapest European (and non-Chinese) option when I look at YVR-BOM or YVR-DEL flights. It's often cheaper to fly AF to India than it is to many cities in France! I also know that AF's CDG-BOM flight has on-again, off-again success, so maybe adding together two "shaky" routes equals highly competitive airfares.

Anyway, I hope they stay at YVR, as I actually like AF better than either LH or KLM (especially in Y). But it's unlikely that a non-stop YVR-DEL flight is good news for AF (especially during the winter).

[trofirhen]

If they could get around the 'Freedoms of the Air' could / would / might Air France offer winter flights to Tahiti from YVR?
CDG - PPT thru LAX is 9775 miles. // CDG - PPT through YVR is 9824 miles.

Not a lot of difference. Would / could it be feasible / profitable? It'd be great for Vancouver, at any rate.

[whatnext]

Originally Posted by mezzanine

And the other one from AC. (1971)



http://airline-memorabilia.blogspot.ca


Interesting that Montreal was a bigger hub than YYZ. And edmonton to copenhagen direct?

Not surprising as Montreal was very much Canada's pre-eminent city in 1971. It wasn't until the PQ came to power that it really began it's slide.

Interesting about Moscow. At one time it was quite the deal that they flew there. Were they the only North American airline to do so?

[Hourglass]

Originally Posted by whatnext

Not surprising as Montreal was very much Canada's pre-eminent city in 1971. It wasn't until the PQ came to power that it really began it's slide.

Interesting about Moscow. At one time it was quite the deal that they flew there. Were they the only North American airline to do so?

Pan Am also flew to Moscow in the 60s and 70s. I think those were the only two North American airlines to do so at that time.

[bb1510]

Cathay Pacific is opening a new lounge by gate 67 on level 4 on May 4th.

I assume they will close their old lounge located immediately post international security on level 3.

"Enjoy the newly renovated Cathay Pacific lounge at Vancouver International Airport

Cathay Pacific is opening the refreshed lounge at Vancouver International Airport on 4 May 2016.

Located at Gate 67, Level 4 of the International Terminal, the new lounge, which overlooks a scenic view of the runway and mountains beyond, provides our members with a relaxing experience before their flight.

Similar to all the other new Cathay Pacific lounges, this one in Vancouver also adheres to the principles of considered design. Studioilse, a London-based studio led by renowned designer Ilse Crawford, has applied the “Life Well Travelled” philosophy to create a welcoming space.

With the use of warm and natural materials in the décor and special lighting, the lounge has been designed to appeal to the senses and make visitors feel at home. Members can enjoy the surroundings and unwind in furniture specially chosen for both design and comfort, while for those who have to catch up with work, there are three individual workstations equipped with iMacs and printers. Wi-Fi is free and available throughout the lounge.

For food and refreshments before their flight, members may sit down to enjoy a bowl of freshly prepared signature Asian noodles at The Noodle Bar or help themselves to a range of light snacks and drinks at the pantry.

Silver members and above are welcome to enjoy the lounge before flying to Hong Kong and beyond. Also, with the new mid-tier benefit of Lounge Passes, members of all tiers can earn up to two Lounge Passes for the member themselves and/or their friends and family members upon reaching the required club points.

Please note that if the member is a minor and travelling alone, lounge admission and alcohol consumption follow local laws and the policy of the lounge operator. Proof of age may be required to access the lounge."

[SFUVancouver]

Originally Posted by Klazu

So when are you gonna fly it? It seems that your work takes you everywhere far. How about India?

We did work there before I joined the firm, but I don't see myself heading there any time soon.

[LeftCoaster]

Originally Posted by teriyaki

I would assume it is a little bit of both. With such a large project looming ahead, it would definitely stretch talent thin managing both the YVR expansion and LGA complete redevelopment. With a budget as large as LGA, it would be easy to see YVR's goals start playing second fiddle.

I would agree, I think Vantage is largely a huge success story and became more than YVR wanted to manage.

Selling their stake does not mean they are still not intimately involved and I would imagine their partnership will continue to help both organizations.

[LeftCoaster]

Originally Posted by trofirhen

If they could get around the 'Freedoms of the Air' could / would / might Air France offer winter flights to Tahiti from YVR?
CDG - PPT thru LAX is 9775 miles. // CDG - PPT through YVR is 9824 miles.

Not a lot of difference. Would / could it be feasible / profitable? It'd be great for Vancouver, at any rate.

Could be a good way to bolster an already existing route during it's weak season. LAX is most definitely a more direct route but it could make sense given the seasonal nature of YVR.

As for their rights to transport passengers from YVR to Tahiti I would imagine that is a large hurdle, but that's just a guess.

Maybe another of your well placed emails could get some wheels moving

[trofirhen]

Originally Posted by LeftCoaster

Could be a good way to bolster an already existing route during it's weak season. LAX is most definitely a more direct route but it could make sense given the seasonal nature of YVR.

As for their rights to transport passengers from YVR to Tahiti I would imagine that is a large hurdle, but that's just a guess.

Maybe another of your well placed emails could get some wheels moving

..... Thinking of Freedoms of the Air, Tahiti is a TOM (Térritoire Outre-Mer) of France. Whereas Guadeloupe and Martinique are DOM (Départements Outre-Mer), and as such integral departments of France itself, Tahiti, although self-governing, still comes under French jurisdiction as a Territory belonging to France.
Would this make things easier regarding flight rights from YVR - PPT?
I address this question to anyone who knows (esp Johnny, of course). It may be a key that unlocks the possibility of winter seasonal to Tahiti.
details: see "French Polynesia"
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Administrative_divisions_of_France

[mezzanine]

Originally Posted by LeftCoaster

As for the new terminal plans, Richmond said YVR has been working on that for years, with a final recommendation for an expansion outline to be presented to the airport authority’s board of directors on Friday. The expansion plan, which could expand the passenger terminal westwards, eastward or both, is expected to be made public in October.

http://vancouversun.com/business/local-b...f-the-vantage-airport-management-company

My total non-insider's guess? My money is on the eastwards expansion with the simultaneous construction of the NS taxiway. The westward expansion would be too complex/expensive and disrupt current taxiways. The centre expansion would not be bullish enough in this current environment and cause more disruptions to current operations. Eastern expansion IMO would cause the least disruption and allow for proximity to build the NS taxiway.



source: BIV

[Klazu]

Could a Tahiti route from Vancouver benefit from Quebeckers perhaps looking to travel there (conveniently via YVR)? I have never been to Tahiti, so I don't know where the typical tourists there are from. My impression is that it's an upscale destination and likely popular with all rich regardless of nationality and not just French.

Btw, it is one of my dream destinations that I hope to visit soon. I was so envious that on our way to the Easter Island some people continued on the flight onwards to Papeete.

[Johnny Aussie]

Well it's 1 May here already so that can only mean YVR's first regularly scheduled A380 route arrives tomorrow.

Pretty significant milestone in my eyes.

Perhaps another carrier is considering bringing A380s to YVR

[excel]

I'll be there to see her arrive

^Is there something you know that we don't???

[ShawnShank]

https://twitter.com/British_Airways/status/726585908095508480

All that are planning to see it beware, it is planned to land on 26L NOT the usual 26R

[Johnny Aussie]

Originally Posted by excel

I'll be there to see her arrive

^Is there something you know that we don't???

Good to hear. According to Flightaware the aircraft operating BA85 tomorrow has already arrived in LHR from HKG... so a good start at least the a/c is in LHR.

Something I know that y'all don't? Ich weiss nicht!

[teriyaki]

Originally Posted by ShawnShank

https://twitter.com/British_Airways/status/726585908095508480

All that are planning to see it beware, it is planned to land on 26L NOT the usual 26R

Curious how you came across this information! Would love to see it touch down. I'm booked on the inaugural, will take lots of pics!

[ShawnShank]

Originally Posted by teriyaki

Curious how you came across this information! Would love to see it touch down. I'm booked on the inaugural, will take lots of pics!

Saw it linked on another website

Congrats, make sure to post them here!

[Johnny Aussie]

Originally Posted by teriyaki

Curious how you came across this information! Would love to see it touch down. I'm booked on the inaugural, will take lots of pics!

British Airways publicly tweeted the A380 is scheduled to land on the south runway.

Of course it will depend on the prevailing winds but they would be aiming for a 26L arrival.