Quote:
Originally Posted by Gordon
I think the Airport authority views that as an important project but it may not needed until the terminal is expanded .
How will the North South Taxiway be affected by the Canada Line guideway tha runs tha length of Sea island?
|
As Zaask mentioned, it wouldn't be affected.
The reason why the North-South Taxiway was the cost and if I don't recall wrong, the cost of the project exceeded some of the runway extensions. Keep in mind, the North-South Taxiway project does add additional capacity to the airport unlike the runway extension projects. Yes, it may be a long taxi for international flights (especially US flights) to the south runway, but the times are still comparable to most large airports in the States, and the taxiways have the capacity to handle additional flight queuing. So the project will probably not be needed until we reach a point where it is economical to invest in efficiencies in our airport.
While statistically, YVR at its peak (during the summer) has more takeoffs and landings than YYZ, our traffic includes sea planes. There isn't a runway capacity issue unlike YYZ, and our airport is not rated as a slot-constrained airport by IATA/ICAO. I doubt the runway expansion projects will go ahead. If you think about it, Hong Kong and London Heathrow, is able to operate its traffic with two runways. Of course, they are capacity constrained, but they have many more times more takeoffs and landings.
I don't think capacity is a big problem at YVR for the foreseeable future: I rather see the money be invested in improving the terminals at YVR. If YVR wants to keep its Canada's Asia-Pacific "hub", it really needs to reduce the minimum time for connections between international-domestic flights. For instance, there were earlier discussions of investing in a baggage handling system that allows for international passengers to clear customs for domestic flights without having to pick up their luggage. Another example outlined in the plan is to have separate terminals by airlines rather than by destination. Currently passengers on WestJet flights connecting to International flights get the worse possible connection at YVR: almost a 500-meter connection. I believe YVRs upcoming A/B reconstruction allows for provisions for this to happen in the future, but I can't be 100 percent certain.
On the topic of airport improvements, here's a picture recently taken. I couldn't get a direct shot without getting a terrible reflection, but notice the construction fencing and the beginnings of a small crane by the A/B Pier behind the edge of the check-in terminal.
Taken By Me
Prev
Linear Mode
