YVR Airport & Sea Island Developments Discussion

[mr.x]

just got back from Hong Kong, the new terminal is nice.

[MistyMountainHop]

Originally Posted by mr.x2

just got back from Hong Kong, the new terminal is nice.

Any pics?

[phesto]

Spanish duty-free giant enters Vancouver airspace

Aldeasa beats Swiss operator to massive YVR contract, as airport expansion opens up new revenue streams to mirror terminal growth

Grant Wing

Highly visible changes at YVR – including a major expansion of its international terminal and a new duty-free operator – are opening up fresh opportunities for retailers and new streams of revenues for the airport.

The expansion, with four newly opened international gates, is part of YVR’s $1 billion capital construction project designed to accommodate a projected 3.6% increase in passenger traffic.

The $200 million, 36,000- square-metre terminal expansion also introduces a new logo and visual identity for the airport. A central pavilion area featuring a large jellyfish-filled aquarium and a stream flowing through the centre of the building will be completed this June.

YVR’s manager of retail and passenger services, Chris Gilliland, said the expansion allows YVR to significantly expand its commercial offerings to customers. Retail and concession revenues are a big part of YVR’s overall revenues.

YVR reported 2005 revenues of $329.8 million, of which $58.8 million were concession revenues. Non-aeronautical revenues accounted for about 60% of YVR’s total revenues in 2006.

Gilliland said YVR has a pricing policy that mandates brand retailers in the airport charge the same for their products in the airport as they do elsewhere. Also, YVR, which is 100% leased, selects tenants through a bid process requiring interested businesses to submit financials, customer service, concepts and capital expenditures.

Gilliland added that YVR makes efforts to keep products from overlapping with products sold at its duty-free shops. Duty-free sales are a lucrative part of YVR’s non-aviation related revenues, with net duty-free sales reaching $61.8 million in 2004.

YVR’s new duty-free operator, Aldeasa, ranked fourth largest airport retailer in the world, took over duty-free operations this March. YVR is its first operation in North America. Madrid-based Aldeasa was awarded YVR’s duty-free concession for an eight-year contract term, with a two-year option. Aldeasa was awarded the contract over larger incumbent Zurich-based Nuance Group, which operated YVR’s duty-free for about 10 years. Gilliland said Aldeasa is particularly strong in marketing to international customers and mentioned a recent sale of $7,000 worth of cigars to a Japanese visitor.

Aldeasa claims resilience to economic downturns and says it is the first duty-free operator to operate profitably following the extinction of duty-free for EEC flights, which caused a nearly 60% decline in sales for other European operators.

Aldeasa Vancouver CEO Toni Felany sees YVR operations as a strong entry into the North American market for Aldeasa. The company is also planning a duty-free concession in Atlanta later this year.

Felany said Aldeasa’s YVR stores currently have between 160 and 170 employees, which should rise to about 240 employees in June when the full operation is running. Aldeasa will also operate a duty-free store in downtown Vancouver.

Between 40 and 50 ex-Nuance employees have been hired so far at Aldeasa, with more possibly in the future, said Felany.

He said YVR is highly regarded among duty-free operators.

The airport authority, he said, is one of the “most known in the duty-free industry because they are very proactive and, especially, taking a North America prospective, it is among the best,” said Felany.

YVR’s Gilliland says the new duty-free operator and terminal expansion will provide advantages to all YVR retailers.

“From what I’ve heard everyone’s really excited because they are creating a brand new shopping experience, and when you combine that with thematics, you really create a dynamic shopping environment where everyone is going to succeed and everyone is going to win in that case.”

[phesto]

WestJet outbound YVR seat capacity rises 12%

Proportion of airport share masks rapid growth of Harbour Air

Curt Cherewayko

While the total outbound seat capacity of airlines flying out of Vancouver International Airport increased a marginal 1.6% in 2006, many individual airlines experienced considerable fluctuations in outbound seat totals at the airport last year.

WestJet, whose presence has grown throughout Western Canada, had an outbound seat capacity from YVR of 1.7 million last year, a 12% increase from 2005. Air Canada, the leading carrier from the airport, saw a more modest increase of 1.6%, for a total of 5.3 million outbound seat capacity in 2006.

Harmony Airways recently announced plans to cease flights and restructure. The Vancouver-based airline nearly doubled its outbound seat capacity at YVR in 2006. Harmony, whose destinations were targeted at vacation hotspots, such as Hawaii, Las Vegas and Palm Springs, had outbound capacity of 280,000 in 2006, versus 188,000 in 2005.

Harbour Air, also based in Vancouver, sat near the bottom of the list of total outbound seat capacity at YVR, with 0.2% of the share in 2006. But Harbour, the largest all-seaplane airline in the world, enjoyed a 140% outbound capacity increase at the Richmond hub in 2006. Randy Wright, vice- president of sales and marketing at Harbour, attributes the increase to a couple of key events in the past two years. First, in December 2005, Harbour was forced to relocate all its flights from Coal Harbour to YVR because of construction in downtown Vancouver. Second, in April 2006, the airline introduced flights from Richmond to Victoria.

Wright said that heavy vehicle traffic throughout the Lower Mainland, coupled with vehicle lineups at B.C. ferry terminals, are causing a range of travellers to consider seaplanes as a viable travel alternative in B.C.

“Quite a few people are coming in, whether it’s government, business or leisure, and going [the seaplane] route,” Wright said. The company had outbound seat capacity of 21,631 out of YVR in 2006.

Along with its terminals in Vancouver and Richmond, Harbour flies to and from Langley, Nanaimo, Victoria and the Gulf Islands.

Numerous large international carriers saw their presence at YVR decrease in 2006, most notably American carrier Northwest Airlines, which had an outbound seat capacity of 72,000 out of the Richmond airport, a 39% decrease from last year; and America West Airlines, which had outbound capacity of 143,000 seats, a 28% decrease from last year. America West merged with U.S. Airways in 2005.

Overall outbound YVR seat capacity totalled 11.5 million last year, an increase of 185,500 seats from the previous year.

[twoNeurons]

A touch of bad news about the Link Building. The Airport Authority really wanted to open up the roof to people who wanted to see the planes come and go... but Transport Canada denied them.

[SpongeG]

Originally Posted by phesto

Spanish duty-free giant enters Vancouver airspace

Aldeasa beats Swiss operator to massive YVR contract, as airport expansion opens up new revenue streams to mirror terminal growth

Grant Wing

Highly visible changes at YVR – including a major expansion of its international terminal and a new duty-free operator – are opening up fresh opportunities for retailers and new streams of revenues for the airport.

The expansion, with four newly opened international gates, is part of YVR’s $1 billion capital construction project designed to accommodate a projected 3.6% increase in passenger traffic.

The $200 million, 36,000- square-metre terminal expansion also introduces a new logo and visual identity for the airport. A central pavilion area featuring a large jellyfish-filled aquarium and a stream flowing through the centre of the building will be completed this June.

YVR’s manager of retail and passenger services, Chris Gilliland, said the expansion allows YVR to significantly expand its commercial offerings to customers. Retail and concession revenues are a big part of YVR’s overall revenues.

YVR reported 2005 revenues of $329.8 million, of which $58.8 million were concession revenues. Non-aeronautical revenues accounted for about 60% of YVR’s total revenues in 2006.

Gilliland said YVR has a pricing policy that mandates brand retailers in the airport charge the same for their products in the airport as they do elsewhere. Also, YVR, which is 100% leased, selects tenants through a bid process requiring interested businesses to submit financials, customer service, concepts and capital expenditures.

Gilliland added that YVR makes efforts to keep products from overlapping with products sold at its duty-free shops. Duty-free sales are a lucrative part of YVR’s non-aviation related revenues, with net duty-free sales reaching $61.8 million in 2004.

YVR’s new duty-free operator, Aldeasa, ranked fourth largest airport retailer in the world, took over duty-free operations this March. YVR is its first operation in North America. Madrid-based Aldeasa was awarded YVR’s duty-free concession for an eight-year contract term, with a two-year option. Aldeasa was awarded the contract over larger incumbent Zurich-based Nuance Group, which operated YVR’s duty-free for about 10 years. Gilliland said Aldeasa is particularly strong in marketing to international customers and mentioned a recent sale of $7,000 worth of cigars to a Japanese visitor.

Aldeasa claims resilience to economic downturns and says it is the first duty-free operator to operate profitably following the extinction of duty-free for EEC flights, which caused a nearly 60% decline in sales for other European operators.

Aldeasa Vancouver CEO Toni Felany sees YVR operations as a strong entry into the North American market for Aldeasa. The company is also planning a duty-free concession in Atlanta later this year.

Felany said Aldeasa’s YVR stores currently have between 160 and 170 employees, which should rise to about 240 employees in June when the full operation is running. Aldeasa will also operate a duty-free store in downtown Vancouver.

Between 40 and 50 ex-Nuance employees have been hired so far at Aldeasa, with more possibly in the future, said Felany.

He said YVR is highly regarded among duty-free operators.

The airport authority, he said, is one of the “most known in the duty-free industry because they are very proactive and, especially, taking a North America prospective, it is among the best,” said Felany.

YVR’s Gilliland says the new duty-free operator and terminal expansion will provide advantages to all YVR retailers.

“From what I’ve heard everyone’s really excited because they are creating a brand new shopping experience, and when you combine that with thematics, you really create a dynamic shopping environment where everyone is going to succeed and everyone is going to win in that case.”

interesting

i wonder if thats why Spanish Based MNG Mango is opening in YVR first

[raggedy13]

Originally Posted by phesto

Spanish duty-free giant enters Vancouver airspace

The expansion, with four newly opened international gates, is part of YVR’s $1 billion capital construction project designed to accommodate a projected 3.6% increase in passenger traffic.

I'm assuming this is a typo yes? 3.6% hardly seems worth investing $1 billion to accommodate. Do they mean 36%? That would seem to be a more likely reason to invest in a major airport expansion.

[SFUVancouver]

It must be a typo. Oakridge mall owner Ivanhoe Cambridge announced they are looking to build a regional supermall with 1,000,000,000 square feet of retail. (A billion sq feet would make sense in Dubai but not Vancouver) They later cite 1,000,000 sq feet.

[phesto]

Somewhat good news for YVR, Westjet capitalizing on Harmony's recent departure. Less competition is rarely a good thing, but can't argue with daily service!

WestJet Adds Daily Routes to Several Destinations

APR 12, 2007 - 11:33 ET

WestJet to provide daily flights from Vancouver to several destinations to fill gap left by Harmony Airways

CALGARY, ALBERTA--(CCNMatthews - April 12, 2007) - WestJet Airlines Ltd. (TSX:WJA) (WestJet) is pleased to add daily flights from Vancouver, British Columbia to several destinations in response to increased demand for additional flights after Harmony Airways' announcement to cease operations to these popular destinations.

Daily non-stop service from Vancouver will commence on the following dates to the following destinations:

- April 28, 2007 to Las Vegas, Nevada

- May 14, 2007 to Toronto, Ontario (totalling six flights every business day)

- November 4, 2007 to Honolulu, Hawaii

- November 4, 2007 to Maui (Kahului), Hawaii

- November 4, 2007 to Palm Springs, California

"WestJet is committed to ensuring guests have affordable and flexible travel opportunities to reach their chosen destination," said Bob Cummings, Executive Vice-President, Guest Experience and Marketing, WestJet. "We recognize travellers' flight choices and flexibility were compromised after Harmony Airways announced ceasing their operations and flights to these locations. We are pleased to be able to provide additional frequencies to these specific destinations to ensure guests have more options when booking their trips. As we grow our fleet from 65 to 70 aircraft by year end 2007, we are continually assessing where to put this capacity to meet the needs of Canadian travellers."

WestJet is Canada's leading low-fare airline offering scheduled service throughout its 35-city North American and Caribbean network. Named Canada's most admired corporate culture in 2005 and 2006, WestJet pioneered low-cost high-value flying in Canada. With increased legroom and leather seats on its modern fleet of Boeing Next-Generation 737 aircraft, and live seatback television provided by Bell ExpressVu on the majority of its fleet, WestJet strives to be the number one choice for travellers.

[SpongeG]

Originally Posted by smasher000

I've actually never had to transfer in my life - and i've gone on like 20 flights. it must be a pain though. I hate transferring on SkyTrain even..

you've just gone from point a to point b than?

like if you are going to africa that would involve multiple transfers - usually you get a good 10 hour layover in london though

[smasher000]

Originally Posted by SpongeG

you've just gone from point a to point b than?

like if you are going to africa that would involve multiple transfers - usually you get a good 10 hour layover in london though

yeah, we usually only go to major cities

[Jared]

Originally Posted by SpongeG

you've just gone from point a to point b than?

like if you are going to africa that would involve multiple transfers - usually you get a good 10 hour layover in london though

Transfers are a very welcome thing on long trips. I had a Vancouver-London-Johannesburg-Durban trip a few years back, I woulda gone absolutely nuts without a 3 hour break in London.

[SpongeG]

Originally Posted by Jared

Transfers are a very welcome thing on long trips. I had a Vancouver-London-Johannesburg-Durban trip a few years back, I woulda gone absolutely nuts without a 3 hour break in London.

i know eh

when i went in 2002 to joburg i stopped in london for 2 nights

and than 1 night on the way home

when i went as a kid we had a 10 hour layover and got to go into the city and on the way back we had an 8 and stayed in the airport - worst

[SpongeG]

Hong Kong budget airline to start Vancouver, B.C., flights

HONG KONG — Hong Kong-based budget carrier Oasis Airlines, which currently flies between Hong Kong and London, said today it will start operating flights to Vancouver, B.C., in late June.

The low-cost, long-haul airline will fly six days a week between Hong Kong and Vancouver International Airport for fares more than 40 percent lower than rival carriers, chairman Raymond Lee said.

One-way economy tickets, which go on sale from Wednesday, start from $254.60, the company said. Rival operator Cathay Pacific Airways charges about $1,279 for a round-trip for the same route during June.

Oasis, which was launched last October as the first Asian budget airline specializing in long-haul routes, said it has achieved a cash flow break-even in its first five months of operation. Its flights to London have been popular, Lee said, with economy class seats 90 to 98 percent occupied, Lee said. "The Hong Kong to Vancouver demand may be even higher than the Hong Kong to London one," he said. The airline has bought three more Boeing 747-400s from Japan's All Nippon Airways, expanding its flight to five, Lee said.

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/traveloutdoors/2003679130_webbudgetairasia24.html

expect to see these here

[G-Man]

How can they make money? That is insane!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

That is cheaper than going to Calgary!

[Hot Rod]

^ by filling up the planes; which they surely will!!

[excel]

wow thats extremely cheap, i might just have to go for a weekend. (spend more time in the air than actully there)

[twoNeurons]

Originally Posted by excel

wow thats extremely cheap, i might just have to go for a weekend. (spend more time in the air than actully there)

cool. and it's a short hop over to Japan for those fares!

[EastVanMark]

Wow! Can't fly that cheap to some Canadian destinations. What's the catch? Does the return cost like three times as much?

Regardless, its a great sign for the GVRD that this company thought of Vancouver right after a heavyweight like London. Might start a wave of Asian carriers making similar runs all across Asia. That would not only mean big Bucks for YVR, but a mountain of money flowing through the whole region. Awesome!

[deasine]

Holy Mother THAT IS CHEAP!!!! Does anyone have any sites that reviewed this airline? I'm going to Hong Kong more often NOW!!!!!!

Edit: On the website, it says roundtrips start from 3980...? http://www.oasishongkong.com/hk/en/promotion.aspx?id=20070425 Is it because of booking early?