YVR Airport & Sea Island Developments Discussion

[trofirhen]

If Westjet is hiring Portuguese and Italian-speaking flight staff, this obviously means Europe, and that would mean summer seasonals, normally.
I wonder if any of that - summer seasonals to Europe _ would be out of YVR / YYC, or would it be out of YYZ?

[Klazu]

How are Westjet's intra-province flights getting started? I forget what brand name they gave those... Are they expanding there?

[trofirhen]

Originally Posted by Klazu

How are Westjet's intra-province flights getting started? I forget what brand name they gave those... Are they expanding there?

Do you mean Westjet Encore? My first reaction is: aaaaaaaaaask Johnny!

[teriyaki]

Made a quick video on the inaugural A380 flight to london heathrow. Got some shots of the in terminal celebration and the, well rather uneventful flights to LHR to put it nicely.

• Video Link

[stiffdeadman]

received notification today that alaska airlines and japan airlines are entering into a full codeshare agreement with all the bells and whistles. currently japan airlines has no service to seattle, so vancouver is the closest access point for dedicated alaska fliers to get to tokyo. perhaps a little more feed from down south for the flight here.

[teriyaki]

Originally Posted by stiffdeadman

received notification today that alaska airlines and japan airlines are entering into a full codeshare agreement with all the bells and whistles. currently japan airlines has no service to seattle, so vancouver is the closest access point for dedicated alaska fliers to get to tokyo. perhaps a little more feed from down south for the flight here.

Most of the application was geared towards existing JAL gateways such as LAX/SAN/HNL, however 2 YVR routes were covered and of course those were YVR-SEA and YVR-PDX. Be interesting to see how this all plays out. Alaska is definitely not afraid to shake things up in the ongoing battle with DL down in SEA.

[Johnny Aussie]

Originally Posted by trofirhen

Do you mean Westjet Encore? My first reaction is: aaaaaaaaaask Johnny!

To be honest I don't have a clue. The expansion rate of YVR-YYJ surprised me so I'm guessing they are doing ok. Minimal cuts have been made so overall, Westjet is growing YVR faster this year than previous years that's a definite.

[Gordon]

I wonder why West jet doesn't codeshare with Alaska To Sea & PDX?

[excel]

I'll be flying AC YVR-LHR this weekend and then WS LGW-YVR on the way back. I'll give some feedback on both flights when I get back

[SFUVancouver]

Originally Posted by excel

I'll be flying AC YVR-LHR this weekend and then WS LGW-YVR on the way back. I'll give some feedback on both flights when I get back

Have a great trip!

Something to consider for your WS return flight, in-flight meals are not included. However you can purchase and reserve a meal of your choice ahead of time through West Jet's website. That beats taking your chances with the selection that's left when the cart gets to you in flight.

[LeftCoaster]

In flight meals are not included on a 9 hour flight? Wow that's cheap even for Westjet.

In other westjet news, looks like they are planning on finding new utilization for the aircraft they are shifting out of Alberta:

WestJet to launch new charter service to redeploy capacity from Alberta



Wednesday, May 4, 2016
By: Ian Bickis

CALGARY — With Alberta’s economic downturn continuing to be a drag on earnings, Calgary-based WestJet Airlines has announced that it will launch a new charter service in an effort to redeploy capacity to other markets.

Chief executive Gregg Saretsky told investors earlier this week that he’ll be making the official announcement shortly. While he didn’t reveal specific details, Saretsky did say the new service would be an opportunity to redeploy capacity from Alberta where the market continues to be soft.

“We’re very excited about it, it is a new line of business,” he said at the company’s annual meeting on Tuesday.

The news comes just a few days ahead of WestJet’s brand new direct flights to London, England onboard wide-bodied Boeing 767s. According to Saretsky, the aircraft will also open up the potential for other cities within the plane’s 12-hour flight radius.

“It brings geographies like South America and Asia and other points in Europe all in play. And so ultimately, those are all opportunities for WestJet,” he added.

More news: Top or bottom? ‘Magic Mike’, bunk beds come to Las Vegas
The talk of diversification comes as the company reported a 38% drop in profit due in large part to Alberta’s weak economy. WestJet earned $87.6 million or 71 cents per share on $1.03 billion in revenue in the first quarter, compared with a record net profit of $140.7 million or $1.09 per share on $1.08 billion in revenue in the first quarter last year.

Despite this, Saretsky said it was the second-best first quarter for the company, with lower fuel prices helping buffer from the downturn. He said it was too early to call a bottom as the oil and gas downturn and layoffs continue to create knock-on effect on things like restaurants and real estate.

“So to the extent that all those things create some drag on the economy, I think there’s still some more tough times ahead,” Saretsky said.

http://www.travelweek.ca/news/westjet-to...rvice-to-redeploy-capacity-from-alberta/

Sounds like a temporary move to see what happens in the coming months in Alberta.

[excel]

Originally Posted by SFUVancouver

Have a great trip!

Something to consider for your WS return flight, in-flight meals are not included. However you can purchase and reserve a meal of your choice ahead of time through West Jet's website. That beats taking your chances with the selection that's left when the cart gets to you in flight.

Great thanks for the tip!

[vango]

I watched the BA A380 approach over the city this evening then checked flightradar24 where it landed on the north runway then took off again! It took a big loop to the south then landed again on the same runway. Actually happened? Maybe it had square tires:
http://www.cnn.com/2016/05/10/aviation/british-airways-square-tire-mystery/

[LeftCoaster]

It aborted it's landing at the last minute, not sure why.

A spotter got a great video of it:

• Video Link

[connect2source]

Thread devoted to it on Airliners.net . Apparently a go-around is extremely rare for an A380, guess runway 8L, being less than 10,000 ft., doesn't give a lot of room for error.

http://www.airliners.net/aviation-forums/general_aviation/read.main/6693993/

[LeftCoaster]

A little info on Tianjin Airlines. From the article sounds like YVR is still in the works?

Tianjin Airlines confirms London as first long-haul destination

Tianjin Airlines was awarded licences by the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) last year to introduce flights between Tianjin and both London and Vancouver in conjunction with Chongqing as well as services to Moscow from both Chinese cities. It now appears that with its first two A330s currently under assembly that is making final preparations for its long-haul launch. The first is due for delivery next month.

Tianjin Airlines confirms London as first long-haul destination
Chinese carrier Tianjin Airlines will become the latest of the country’s airlines to launch long-haul flights when it takes delivery of at least three Airbus A330-200s from the European manufacturer in the coming months. These aircraft will be used to debut flights into Europe and North America with London expected to be the first destination to be served by the widebodied equipment.

The HNA Group subsidiary has been allocated up to 20 A330-200s to support growth from Tianjin as an alternative to the capacity constrained Beijing Capital International Airport. The city in northern coastal China and one of the five national central cities of China and in terms of urban population is the fourth largest in China, after Shanghai, Beijing, and Guangzhou. However, it is its location just 143km southeast of China’s capital with efficient high-speed rail access that adds to its appeal.

Hainan Airlines has already identified Tianjin’s Binhai International Airport as an option for routing flights from other points in mainland China to North America and has previously outlined plans to provide links to both New York and Vancouver via the facility. However, it appears it will be its sister carrier that will be the first to introduce regular long-haul flights from the expanding airport.

Tianjin Airlines was awarded licences by the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) last year to introduce flights between Tianjin and both London and Vancouver in conjunction with Chongqing as well as services to Moscow from both Chinese cities. It now appears that with its first two A330s currently under assembly that is making final preparations for its long-haul launch. The first is due for delivery next month.

As revealed by our Airline Route blog this week, Tianjin Airlines will introduce its twice weekly link between Tianjin and London, via Chongqing from June 25, 2016. The carrier will serve Gatwick Airport in the UK capital with departures on Wednesdays and Saturdays. It is also planning to introduce a four times weekly link to Vancouver from this summer routing Chongqing – Tianjin – Vancouver once it receives its second and third A330s. The flights to Moscow are also earmarked for launch from late June 2016 and will utilise Sheremetyevo Airport in the Russian capital.

Tianjin Airlines will become the fourth Chinese carrier flying to London, following Air China, China Southern Airlines and China Eastern Airlines. Fellow HNA Group carrier, Hainan Airlines has also operated a charter programme to Birmingham and will launch scheduled flights this summer, with the introduction of a scheduled Beijing-Manchester route from June 10, 2016.

The young carrier is little known outside of its home market and has just seven years of operation under its current brand. It was established in 2004 to bring together the regional activities of Hainan Airlines and the smaller China Xinhua Airlines, Chang An Airlines and Shanxi Airlines and received its operating certificate from CAAC in 2007. It initially launched as Grand China Express Air, at the time the largest regional carrier in China, but was rebranded as Tianjin Airlines in June 2009.

http://www.routesonline.com/news/29/brea...ng-haul-destination/?highlight=Vancouver

[trofirhen]

Vancouver to get Turkish consulate; maybe non-stop flights to Istanbul

Turkish Airlines wants to fly non-stop to Vancouver but air agreement is likely an obstacle


May 12, 2016, 5:29 p.m.
Transportation
By Glen Korstrom

Turkish Airlines told Business in Vancouver that it wants to fly non-stop to Vancouver


As Vancouver’s first Turkish consul general readies his consulate to launch later this year, he and others in the local Turkish community are urging Turkish Airlines to launch non-stop flights between Istanbul and Vancouver.
The Vancouver Turkish Canadian Society (VTCS) launched a petition, which has more than 1,500 signatures, on Change.org to demonstrate demand for the flights.
“We’re trying to have a better connection with Vancouver,” said Anil Bora Inan, who recently moved to Vancouver to be Turkey’s consul general for B.C., Alberta, Saskatchewan, Yukon and the Northwest Territories.
“There is a good relationship between both Toronto and Montreal with Turkey but we see that, toward the western area of Canada, we’re losing that [strong relationship].”
Part of Inan’s job, as he readies to open a consulate in the FortisBC building at 1111 West Hastings, is to help stimulate trade between the two countries. If successful, that will fuel more demand for air travel – particularly business travel, which is more lucrative for airlines than is economy seating.
Last year, according to BCStats, $98.6 million worth of B.C. products were exported to Turkey with the vast majority of that being coal and fuels made from coal. That makes Turkey the 21st top destination for B.C. exports.
There were no comparable numbers for the value of Turkish products that B.C. imports but Turkey exported nearly $1.3 billion worth of products to Canada in 2015.
The sticking point in getting non-stop Vancouver-to-Istanbul flights is likely the air agreement that Canada and Turkey signed in 2009.
Specific details of the agreement are confidential but it is the kind of agreement that enables limited access for airlines based in each of the two countries.
Turkish Airlines launched flights to Canada soon after the air agreement was signed and now flies six non-stop flights per week between Istanbul and Toronto. It also flies three non-stop flights per week between Istanbul and Montreal.
Air Canada flies non-stop flights year-round between Toronto and Istanbul on 787 Dreamliner aircraft. Summer service is daily and that drops to three times per week in the winter.
“While we’re continuing to evaluate the possibility of additional services, and there are no immediate plans to do so,” Air Canada spokeswoman Angela Mah told Business in Vancouver.
VTCS president Tolga Tosun told BIV that he believes that the Canadian-Turkish air agreement authorizes each national carrier the right to operate regular flights between the home country and two destinations in the other country.
That would seem to exclude non-stop Vancouver-Istanbul flights from consideration unless the Canadian and Turkish governments revise the air agreement to allow for liberalized access.
So far, Turkey sounds up for renegotiations.
“My [country’s] embassy in Ottawa, and the Turkish aviation authorities, are speaking with the Canadian government,” Inan told BIV.
Were the air agreement to be renegotiated, the Canadian government would likely seek input from Canadian carriers such as Air Canada and WestJet as well as from airport authorities and other stakeholders.
As for Turkish Airlines, which is a private company, its representatives would not say much.
“Turkish Airlines is certainly interested in coming to Vancouver,” said spokeswoman Valerie Stachurski.
“However, I am unable to comment on the circumstances surrounding timing or obstacles.”
The fear for many in Vancouver’s Turkish community is that if Canada does not pave the way for Turkish Airlines to fly non-stop to Vancouver, it could decide to fly non-stop to Seattle. That is particularly the case given that the airline has been rapidly expanding its number of flights to the U.S.
The Vancouver Airport Authority similarly had little to say.
“We are aware of the petition put forward by the Turkish community requesting service to YVR by Turkish Airlines,” spokeswoman Alana Lawrence told BIV.
“We definitely welcome it and hope that one day it becomes a reality.“
[email protected]

@GlenKorstrom

https://www.biv.com/article/2016/5/vancouver-get-turkish-consulate-maybe-non-stop-fli/

[LeftCoaster]

Saw that article this morning on my news feed. It certainly seems like wheels are in motion, let's just hope the national agreements can be amended to both sides satisfaction.

[SFUVancouver]

With strong economic growth in Metro Vancouver (re: BMO's determination that all of Canada's job growth occurred in Metro Vancouver and the Greater Toronto Area) I can see a strong argument for expanding the bilateral agreement with Turkey to include a 3rd Canadian city (Vancouver). Vancouver shouldn't come at the expense of Montreal, but it's an antiquated notion that Canada has two primary cities. Going forward, Ottawa should be negotiating for a minimum of three cities for such agreements.

[trofirhen]

Thanks to you both for the feedback and support on this

I think the two national economic generators, Toronto and Vancouver, should be shown directly to Justin. There is no more excuse for excluding YVR except that maybe changing planes at YYZ, with its high landing fees, helps pay for their huge airport.

LC, all that research you posted is colourful and will always be a reminder of this YVR - IST route, whether it goes through or not. (If we don't get it, Seattle does, by the way).

The 2209 bilateral Canada-Turkey allowed two routes in each country but SFU's link shows how much more important and plaisible YVR's destination request is.

This will be a real Test of Justin. It's ultimately his decision. So, is he as cool, equality-minded, fair, honest, realistic and nice about this, or will he be mean and protectionist?
Harper said no, ..... will Justin cave into to YYZ, the Big Mama.
Here, people yearned for YVR -Delhi for years, and we finally got it, if only seasonally. (I think it might get big on them faster than expected).

So please let IST be that new sought-after route.
SEA already has DBX. Imagine Seattle with IST as well. Vancouver would have the Big 4, and no more.*1
*1 The only potentially mitigating factor here could be: would there bee too much competition with EK, as SEA already has 2x daily to DBX.
(Even with connections, sometimes flying direct is sustainable if enough of the right factors converge, as well as pleasanter, with less transfer hassle).
Political issues aside, the Turkish community in the region has a strong wish for this, (as evidenced by their petition.)
Also Turkey is a country with an expanding economy hungry for investment / . Good reason to have a direct route.