YVR Airport & Sea Island Developments Discussion

[Johnny Aussie]

Originally Posted by Gordon

It will be interesting to see how long it takes or some of these cuts to be restored, because i would think that west Jet needs fairly decent service levels to Canada's second largest city?

It wuld be mie to see Delta's jFK & Atlanta flights as well as AA ' ORD flight change from Red Eye to mid day flights?

AA on ORD is changing to a daylight flight for the winter scheds.

[deasine]

It's important to remember that private companies do not like competition, and aviation is no exception. Air carriers tend not to share hubs whenever possible: when competing home carriers share hubs, one tends to perform poorly. Examples:

• US: The Big 4 do not share primary hubs with one another - LAX, New York, and Chicago are exceptions but these aren't the main hubs, do not necessarily have one dominant carrier (highly fragmented in marketshare), and have supporting O&D traffic demand
• China: The Big 4 all have different primary hubs - Beijing is the only shared but again it's the largest city and government regulations have protected significant competition between carriers
• Europe: same story applies - even in the UK where Virgin Atlantic is a comparatively large competitor with British Airways, Virgin Atlantic also has a lot of activity outside of London (whereas BA is really London-focused)

I'm less familiar with the Australian market (Johnny_Aussie please chip in!), but I believe while Qantas and Virgin do share hubs of all the large Australian cities, Virgin's primary hub is in Brisbane whereas Qantas is in Sydney. And even then Virgin hasn't been making any money.

With the recent JV from Delta, it would make sense for Westjet to cut competitive US routes. I would expect Westjet to further enhance its partnerships with other carriers so that it develops a "virtual international network." For instance, an enhanced partnership with Korean Air would enable KE to retain its flights to Vancouver and Toronto, but also allow Westjet to operate from Calgary. This might not necessarily benefit Vancouver per say, but the private market will eventually remove inefficiencies and right-size itself.

[Johnny Aussie]

Originally Posted by deasine

It's important to remember that private companies do not like competition, and aviation is no exception. Air carriers tend not to share hubs whenever possible: when competing home carriers share hubs, one tends to perform poorly. Examples:

• US: The Big 4 do not share primary hubs with one another - LAX, New York, and Chicago are exceptions but these aren't the main hubs, do not necessarily have one dominant carrier (highly fragmented in marketshare), and have supporting O&D traffic demand
• China: The Big 4 all have different primary hubs - Beijing is the only shared but again it's the largest city and government regulations have protected significant competition between carriers
• Europe: same story applies - even in the UK where Virgin Atlantic is a comparatively large competitor with British Airways, Virgin Atlantic also has a lot of activity outside of London (whereas BA is really London-focused)

I'm less familiar with the Australian market (Johnny_Aussie please chip in!), but I believe while Qantas and Virgin do share hubs of all the large Australian cities, Virgin's primary hub is in Brisbane whereas Qantas is in Sydney. And even then Virgin hasn't been making any money.

With the recent JV from Delta, it would make sense for Westjet to cut competitive US routes. I would expect Westjet to further enhance its partnerships with other carriers so that it develops a "virtual international network." For instance, an enhanced partnership with Korean Air would enable KE to retain its flights to Vancouver and Toronto, but also allow Westjet to operate from Calgary. This might not necessarily benefit Vancouver per say, but the private market will eventually remove inefficiencies and right-size itself.

The Australian market is a bit different. Qantas and Virgin operate significant hubs at SYD, MEL and BNE. QF has its largest international hub at SYD and lesser operations at MEL and BNE. Domestically though the flights are spread out more evenly between MEL and SYD.
VA isn't as big an international player and only has a handful of long haul routes. VA is based in BNE but it's operations there are not its primary hub, it's one of three hubs. VA does not have a dominant hub.

[Johnny Aussie]

This winter Air Canada will not be operating any A320s or A319s on the YVR-YYZ/YUL/YOW routes:

YYZ 2 daily 77Ws 1 daily 77L 1 daily 789 7 daily 321s
YUL 1 daily 333 1 daily 788 3 daily 7M8s
YOW 2 daily 321s

So the smallest aircraft transcon will be the 7M8 this winter

[canlynx]

Air New Zealand’s planned 8-9 weekly increase is cancelled. 777-200ER continues operating instead of 787-9.

https://www.routesonline.com/news/38/air...nd-nw18-long-haul-changes-as-of-29aug18/

[LeftCoaster]

But with one 777-300xPW, so still an increase to last winter, just not as large as was planned.

I wonder why they pulled the expansion back, the 787-9 is the perfect plane for the route it seems.

[LeftCoaster]

Originally Posted by Johnny Aussie

It’s just their strategy. As I’ve stated:

1) They are really bunkering down in YYC
2) The AC hubs at YVR, YYZ and YUL are probably inhibiting growth for WS
3) They’ve literally abandoned YUL with such limited services there now
4) They’ve reduced YYZ flying
5) They are slowly drawing down mainline at YEG

YYC is their only glimmer of hope I suppose hence their aggressive expansion there. I’ll bet we see AC further draw down YYC.

YVR is still by far Westjet’s 3rd largest base.

Yep, I'm not disagreeing with any of this, just saying it' not a good thing for YVR or WS. The little airline that could do no wrong is now having a real tough go of it.

[SpongeG]

Change is in the Air at YVR: September Construction Update
August 28, 2018 · The YVR Blog team

There are several key projects currently taking place that will enhance the airport experience. This includes our biggest sustainability projects to date, new parking options, terminal expansions and much more.

Some projects you may see on Sea Island this month include:

Construction is underway to prepare for Phase II of the McArthurGlen Designer Outlet Vancouver Airport. This phase is scheduled to open in Spring 2019 and will deliver 84,000 square feet of additional retail space. BC Hydro is completing utilities work in and around Grant McConachie Way and Templeton Street. Paving on Miller Road as well as bike lane repairs on Grant McConachie Way have been postponed until September. Once schedules are finalized, more information will be provided.

Various work is continuing in the old Value Lot (adjacent to the Parkade) to prepare for the construction of a new six-storey parking lot and Central Utilities Building. This work includes fence and hoarding installation, grubbing and some traffic control measures around the exit toll plaza.

As part of the above project, preparatory work is also taking place around the old Value Lot in phases. Progressive lane closures are required westbound and eastbound on Grant McConachie Way. Impacts to the public will be minimal and drivers are asked to follow directional signage.

Scheduled maintenance work will be taking place on level 3 of the Parkade. This work will occur in phases during daytime hours and is expected to be complete by early October.

Work is wrapping up on the curbside enhancement project, which is occurring on the sidewalk along the Departures level. There are construction zones set up along the departures level which impact sidewalk and curb access.

...

http://www.yvr.ca/en/blog/2018/change-is-in-the-air-at-yvr-september-construction-update

[Johnny Aussie]

As all the airlines seem to have finalised their winter schedules the following is an overview for YVR.

Total daily flights will rise to 87 compared to only 76 last winter.

The increase of 11 daily flights is mainly attributable to AC with 8 additional daily frequencies to 39 total daily flights

Other changes:

AA - NEW daily to ORD
AS - SEA back to 5 daily from 4 (2 will be mainline 2 E75s and 1 DH4)
DL - almost identical to 2017/2018 - additional daily SEA offsets the loss of LAX
UA - almost identical to 2017/2018 (note: as always UA increases their winter scheds the week of 14 Feb)
WS - almost indetical to 2017/2018 - increase in LAX by 1 weekly offset by the decrease in PSP 1 weekly

Total transborder daily departures in order of frequency:

AC 39
WS 15
UA 11
DL 9
AA 7
AS 7
TTL 88 (50 mainline 38 regional)

2017/2018 was 76 daily (44 mainline 32 regional)

[LeftCoaster]

Great analysis Johnny, thanks.

I assume seats will be close to the same as 2017/2018 as the higher AC frequencies are mainly a product of swapping out Rouge 767 flying for mainline 737-MAX?

[Johnny Aussie]

Originally Posted by LeftCoaster

Great analysis Johnny, thanks.

I assume seats will be close to the same as 2017/2018 as the higher AC frequencies are mainly a product of swapping out Rouge 767 flying for mainline 737-MAX?

On the "rouge" affected routes it's pretty much a wash:

Increases / decreases by one way seats per week

OGG + 392
HNL + 392
PHX - 106
PSP + 176
MCO - 564
KOA + 112
LAS - 458

Overall loss is 56 seats per week

Now throw in the other increases: LIH (+3), SMF (+7), DEN (+7), SAN (+7), SJC (+1) and LAX (+7) + more seats to SFO as 4 daily 319s replaced by 3 daily 320s + 1 daily CR9..... the overall seat count will be higher.

[LeftCoaster]

Ahh well that's a pleasant surprise.

Thanks for the number crunching!

[Johnny Aussie]

Moving along to the winter non-US sun flights.

This winter (as of today) there will be 95 weekly flights to Mexico, the Caribbean and Central America.

Weekly frequency breakdown by carrier:

Westjet 22
Air Canada 21
Sunwing 16
Aeromexico 15 (up to 19 during peak Xmas period)
Air Transat 13
Interjet 8 (winter increase not showing yet)

Sunwing has been stagnant the last few years.
Air Transat frequencies up but capacity wise is about the same. They are now an all A321 operation this winter. From YVR they will now only fly direct to CUN, PVR and HUX.
Air Canada will have higher frequencies and capacity this winter. Some routes transferred from rouge to mainline. Services to MEX, CUN, PVR, SJD and ZIH.
Westjet - meh

Just FYI is anyone thinks this isn’t very many....

YVR to Hawaii this winter leaps to 77 flights per week... yes that’s right 11 daily flights! Capacity will be up even with the transfer from rouge to mainline on AC. AC to LIH a new route. I’m sure some will still focus on AC pulling MCO.

[officedweller]

Originally Posted by SpongeG

[B]...
Various work is continuing in the old Value Lot (adjacent to the Parkade) to prepare for the construction of a new six-storey parking lot and Central Utilities Building. This work includes fence and hoarding installation, grubbing and some traffic control measures around the exit toll plaza.

http://www.yvr.ca/en/blog/2018/change-is-in-the-air-at-yvr-september-construction-update

Originally Posted by mezzanine

new parking expansion is to the left of the red elevated walkway. The central utlities is the teal building further left.

Central Utilities Building

Looks more utilitarian now...

...
The central utilities building is scheduled to be operational in 2022. It will feature a GeoExchange system, one of the largest in Canada, which will consolidate the airport’s heating, cooling and backup electrical system and contribute to the airport’s target of a 33-per-cent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions.

The system is closed-loop and located under the central utilities building and parkade. Fluid is circulated through a well system deep in the ground.

No water is pumped into or out of the loop, but rather the loop acts as a heat exchanger between the ground and the heat pumps. Hundreds of wells of up to 500 feet will be sunk into the ground to take advantage of the ground’s heating and cooling properties.
...

https://canada.constructconnect.com/joc/...ncouver-airport-expansion-already-flight


Contractors recently broke ground on a new $550-million central utilities building, which is just one of many projects underway at the Vancouver International Airport.
https://canada.constructconnect.com/joc/...ncouver-airport-expansion-already-flight


https://canada.constructconnect.com/joc/...nd-massive-capital-construction-projects

6-storey parkade and ground transportation facility


https://canada.constructconnect.com/joc/...ncouver-airport-expansion-already-flight


https://twitter.com/yvrairport

Pier D Expansion



https://canada.constructconnect.com/joc/...ncouver-airport-expansion-already-flight

[thenoflyzone]

Originally Posted by Johnny Aussie

Just FYI is anyone thinks this isn’t very many....

Considering YYC has more weekly flights to those destinations, yes. Then again, Latin America/Caribbean isn't YVR's strong suit. Nor is it YYC's for that matter.

[osirisboy]

In the first image, to the south There is massive grey block, what does that represent? And it shows a long link to the parkade

[Johnny Aussie]

Originally Posted by thenoflyzone

Considering YYC has more weekly flights to those destinations, yes. Then again, Latin America/Caribbean isn't YVR's strong suit. Nor is it YYC's for that matter.

Yeah those 73 weekly flights on WS from YYC would not exist if it weren’t for their growing hub there. The high number only exists due to the supporting network.

Having said that YVR wouldn’t have 77 weekly flights to Hawaii if YVR wasn’t located where it is.

[DDP]

Originally Posted by Johnny Aussie

Yup. AC too strong in YUL and pushing WS out. AC has pushed WS out of about 10 routes.

Plus Transat to Florida is a big too out of Montreal.

[zahav]

YVR has never been a major international sun destination airport, mainly owing to the winters not being as harsh so less people make those trips (endless rain doesn't count, it may be depressing but it's not -40 and unable to leave your house). Every major airport (including Calgary as mentioned) always had a bigger sun destination footprint, more variety of destinations and flights. And those markets are strictly leisure, so it's no surprise that the destinations and frequencies are fairly stable. Hawaii is also basically a sun destination but falls into the transborder category, just like Florida for the East Coast.

I personally don't mind having a limited sun destination roster, we have good year round flights to Asia, Australia, Europe, I don't think there's anyone really missing that Punta Cana non-stop flight :p

[LeftCoaster]

Originally Posted by osirisboy

In the first image, to the south There is massive grey block, what does that represent? And it shows a long link to the parkade

That looks like a future terminal location, expanded A/B pier. No idea why they've shown it here since it's not indicated on their 2037 plans.

Originally Posted by zahav

YVR has never been a major international sun destination airport, mainly owing to the winters not being as harsh so less people make those trips (endless rain doesn't count, it may be depressing but it's not -40 and unable to leave your house). Every major airport (including Calgary as mentioned) always had a bigger sun destination footprint, more variety of destinations and flights. And those markets are strictly leisure, so it's no surprise that the destinations and frequencies are fairly stable. Hawaii is also basically a sun destination but falls into the transborder category, just like Florida for the East Coast.

I personally don't mind having a limited sun destination roster, we have good year round flights to Asia, Australia, Europe, I don't think there's anyone really missing that Punta Cana non-stop flight :p

I agree. While it'd be nice for YVR to be everything to everyone, sun flying is definitely not our strength and probably never will be like it is in the prairies and Eastern Canada.