YVR Airport & Sea Island Developments Discussion

[nname]

Originally Posted by trofirhen

Speaking of Delta, I went to their site and noticed that, according to their latest route map out of Seattle, the do have a (seemingly) year-round service to Osaka, while YVR is seasonal.

SEA-KIX starts next year as a replacement for HKG, and seems like it's not loaded into the schedule yet.

[thenoflyzone]

The 77E used on SEA-HKG will go to MSP-ICN instead. SEA-KIX will be a B763, and frankly, is a poor substitue. Wont be surprised if it is pulled in a year or two.

With the DL/KE Joint venture in full swing, MSP-ICN makes more sense than SEA-HKG, especially if the latter was losing money.

This is no different than AC deciding to start YUL-PVG/NRT/PEK* instead of YVR-SIN/BKK. Leverage the JV or other alliance destinations instead of embarking on long and thin routes that might lose money.

Not saying YVR-SIN will never happen.

*AC/CA metal neutral route

[Johnny Aussie]

Originally Posted by excel

YVR continues to set the bar high in North America.

Yes it does.

YVR needs to remain competitive and these numerous projects will definitely help keep YVR in a great position.

A good read of the many articles about the expansion really confirms that the current leadership at YVRAA really “gets it.” Fantastic vision but with the acknowledgment that “hey, we have to be careful not to overbuild too as our projections may change on a dime.” I don’t believe anyone would have thought the rapid growth seen in recent years would have started to put a strain on the current infrastructure so soon.
But it does sound like remote stands will be used and even after the current expansion takes place. A cheap and somewhat easy solution to handle excess gate demand. Also, sounds like further terminal expansions are being brought forward due to the unforeseen rapid growth that’s occurred.
Kudos to Richmond and his team.

Did someone mention BKK? I’m there now first trip on an A350-900 (TG nonstop MEL-BKK) lovely service and a great ride!

[Johnny Aussie]

Flair starts new routes to YYC and YWG today.
Nonstops to YWG start next week I think.

Release the balloons!

[dharper]

Any idea when YVR plans to build the north-south taxiway? Is it a short term project or about 20 years out?

[zahav]

The runway is not in their immediate plans. It isn't part of this most recent 9-nillion investment at least. But they have secured air rights for a potential 3rd runway, much to the annoyance of City of Richmond who apparently want taller building in the City Centre and the runway plans prohibit this. Talk about an SSP dilemna LOL expand the airport or taller buildings, why must we choose?!

And speaking to the Delta thing... noflyzone is right, droppiing a daily 777 to HKG and replacing with a potential 763 to KIX (which isn't even formal yet) isn't a substitute, and hasn't been mentioned whether daily or seasonal. And Delta's service out of YVR has not shrunk; they have always been seasonal to ATL, JFK was always seasonsl (and a relatively recent addition as this route didn't even exist 10 years ago), Seattle is all gains compared to a few years ago when it was zero, and MSP and SLC are basically how they always have been.

Saying SEA service to Asia is somewhat less than that of Air Canada's from YVR is a a bit confusing, did you mean comparing Delta to Air Canada? If that's the case then yes, they are comparable. AC will have HKG and TPE that Delta won't have, Delta won't have any that AC doesn't have. But bringing in other airlines (as you mentioned Asian), YVR has way way more, honestly too many too list. SEA's Asia service is more than somewhat less than YVR, that's just relaity, not in a competition sense.

[Cage]

Originally Posted by thenoflyzone

The 77E used on SEA-HKG will go to MSP-ICN instead. SEA-KIX will be a B763, and frankly, is a poor substitue. Wont be surprised if it is pulled in a year or two.

With the DL/KE Joint venture in full swing, MSP-ICN makes more sense than SEA-HKG, especially if the latter was losing money.

This will be second time Delta has left HKG. THe first time DL dropped PDX-HKG and gave the slot to AC to start YVR-HKG. This was during the Hollis Harris days.

The DL/KE JV is only part of the problem. DL doesn't have a proper west coast hub until SEA completes the international arrivals processing facility off concourse A.

However, once the international arrivals area is expanded, SEA will be a fierce competitor for YVR. Good thing that YVR has a great executive team (probably best in the world IMHO).

I believe that incumbency and superior experience will win the day for YVR, but they better not rest on their laurels.

If I were YVRAA, I would do the 8 gate concourse D expansion right away rather than go to four gate expansion with two gates all ready roughed in with the remote stands.

[moosejaw]

Originally Posted by Cage

This will be second time Delta has left HKG. THe first time DL dropped PDX-HKG and gave the slot to AC to start YVR-HKG. This was during the Hollis Harris days.

The DL/KE JV is only part of the problem. DL doesn't have a proper west coast hub until SEA completes the international arrivals processing facility off concourse A.

However, once the international arrivals area is expanded, SEA will be a fierce competitor for YVR. Good thing that YVR has a great executive team (probably best in the world IMHO).

I believe that incumbency and superior experience will win the day for YVR, but they better not rest on their laurels.

If I were YVRAA, I would do the 8 gate concourse D expansion right away rather than go to four gate expansion with two gates all ready roughed in with the remote stands.

no joke seatacs expansion will give YVR a run for its money
I flew in there last week and had no idea what was happening there
If you read online publications SeaTac has YVR right in its crosshairs.

[trofirhen]

Originally Posted by moosejaw

no joke seatacs expansion will give YVR a run for its money
I flew in there last week and had no idea what was happening there
If you read online publications SeaTac has YVR right in its crosshairs.

That is something I'm sure a number of people in Vacouver (and esp at YVR) have been thinking seriously about.
As a major corporate centre (Microsoft Boeing, Amazon, should I mention Starbucks, too?) and the fastest growing major US city, it's only natural that SEA-TAC is ready to boom.
There will be competition to further attract airlines and destinations that YVR does not have, as already with EK, and European destinations like Cologne (see map if you think I'm kidding).
https://www.portseattle.org/page/non-stop-international-routes
The EUROWINGS map seems to indicate numerous seasonal destinations that fromSEA that YVR doesn't have. ("set departure airport" Seatttle and watch what comes up.)
Correct me if I have made a mistake with this one; perhaps it means going to cologne-Bonn first, perhaps not.
https://www.eurowings.com/us/information/route-network.world.html#0
Then there's upcoming competition for TK (to be snarled held back, it seems, by Transport Canada, thank you Ottawa).
I also wonder if SEA-TAC plans to eventually "bite into" YVR's South Pacific (Aus-NZ) roster or not.
I do not know if Vancouver as a city has the size and "critical mass" businesswise to compete with what Seattle is going to have, but as mentioned, YVR will be
"in the crosshairs," it's strong suit being that it is the only major CANADIAN city on the West Coast.

[thenoflyzone]

Originally Posted by Cage

If I were YVRAA, I would do the 8 gate concourse D expansion right away rather than go to four gate expansion with two gates all ready roughed in with the remote stands.

I was thinking this as well. 4 gates seems a bit too modest for YVR's growth.

[Lancaster]

Originally Posted by Cage

However, once the international arrivals area is expanded, SEA will be a fierce competitor for YVR.

If I were YVRAA, I would do the 8 gate concourse D expansion right away rather than go to four gate expansion with two gates all ready roughed in with the remote stands.

Aren't one of the four gates already built? This is then a three gate expansion?

[Gordon]

Gate D62 is a temporary gate that will be replaced by the 4 new gates

The remote stands are at the east end of the airport near the end of Pier E

[nname]

Originally Posted by thenoflyzone

I was thinking this as well. 4 gates seems a bit too modest for YVR's growth.

The F-pier expansion should start immediately after the D-pier. That would bring much more gates.

[Lancaster]

Originally Posted by nname

The F-pier expansion should start immediately after the D-pier. That would bring much more gates.

Does it add gates? I thought it was just updating 90-96.

[Johnny Aussie]

Originally Posted by Cage

Good thing that YVR has a great executive team (probably best in the world IMHO).

I believe that incumbency and superior experience will win the day for YVR, but they better not rest on their laurels.

First point - agreed. Excellent vision and drive.

Second point - that’s exactly what they’re not doing. The current leadership team is fully aware of its competition. Mr Richmond has publicly stated they see SEA as their biggest threat. Clearly they are not resting on their laurels.

Originally Posted by Lancaster

Does it add gates? I thought it was just updating 90-96.

Pretty sure the “F” pier will be replacing the current “temporary” little satellite. The expansion plans indicate a new concourse to be constructed.

[Metro-One]

Is upgrading the traffic lights to interchanges on Sea Island still part of the plan?

The road / ramp system to and from YVR is arguably the most underbuilt I have ever seen for a major airport.

Also hope this includes a second platform for YVR station and more connectivity to and from the station.

[libtard]

Interesting that you mention that metro-one. I was looking at street view of Grant McConachie way. One of the few remnants in the lower mainland of a concrete surface road. Its funny that people complain about the quality of ride on I-5 just south of the border because of it's concrete surface. The approach to YVR is by far the worst quality of ride I've ever driven on in terms of concrete surface. I'm not sure why but BC doesn't take any preventative measures when it comes to concrete surface maintenance. They just let the old roads decay into nothing, occasionally giving a pothole an asphalt patch. Pretty sad for such a world renowned airport

[nname]

Someone from Airliners posted that PR is planning to start MNL-YVR-ORD starting W19...

[Metro-One]

Originally Posted by libtard

Interesting that you mention that metro-one. I was looking at street view of Grant McConachie way. One of the few remnants in the lower mainland of a concrete surface road. Its funny that people complain about the quality of ride on I-5 just south of the border because of it's concrete surface. The approach to YVR is by far the worst quality of ride I've ever driven on in terms of concrete surface. I'm not sure why but BC doesn't take any preventative measures when it comes to concrete surface maintenance. They just let the old roads decay into nothing, occasionally giving a pothole an asphalt patch. Pretty sad for such a world renowned airport

When I went to SFU the road up Burnaby Mountain was concrete near the top, but also poorly maintained (haven’t been up there for years so maybe it has changed now)

But yes, you look at the road / ramp systems around so many other major airports around the developed world and Grant McConachie Way better be completely rebuilt with no signalized intersections as part of this 9 billion dollar plan.

The best contrast comparison in Canada would be the road / ramp system on Sea Island versus those accessing Toronto Pearson. And seeing how this is federal, no provincial excuse on this one (save for the shit non-existing connection between Sea Island and the 99)

[thenoflyzone]

Originally Posted by nname

Someone from Airliners posted that PR is planning to start MNL-YVR-ORD starting W19...

PAL gets their first A350 this month. This will start freeing up B77Ws for new routes, or tag-on flights.

ORD and IAH were mentioned last year, both via YVR.

https://onemileatatime.boardingarea.com/2017/09/19/philippine-airlines-vancouver-chicago-houston/