YVR Airport & Sea Island Developments Discussion

[Millennium2002]

Oh wow... I saw only one of them land at Vancouver... maybe the second one came before it or something...

- Allan Kuan

[zahav]

Originally Posted by zahav

"Among other benefits, the C-Pier extension will allow us to consolidate and operate all of our domestic flights from under one roof," said Calin Rovinescu, President and CEO of Air Canada. "Having the operation in C-Pier will make it more convenient for passengers connecting between our Jazz regional flights and our mainline flights. I also commend Vancouver Airport Authority for its practical and fiscally responsible approach to redevelopment and expansion. This has helped keep airport fees reasonable, which is very important in a cost-conscious business such as ours."

I actually think his comment is totally justified. It's not like we are gauging passengers (most major airports charge an improvement fee, especialyl in Canada. We are better than a lot because it is only $5 within BC and the Yukon, and $15 for everywhere else.) This isn't out of line. Our landing fees and terminal fees are very low compared to other airports, especially major airports around the world. The way we are able to keep fees low is by having a variety of retail, food, parking, etc... Believe me, those businesses are OK with it, the fees aren't that bad, and they have a great business opportunity and location in a busy airport.

This isn't about Air Canada being out of line; the fact is, the airport is nothing without airlines using it. All major airlines around the world like flying to aesthetically pleasing airports, with good facilities, retail, infrastructure improvements, etc... The fact that YVR can do this, while charging quite lowest landing fees, encourages other airlines to come here.

In contrast, Toronto (YYZ authroity) is so mismagaed, and to fund the new T1, they charge the highest landing fees in the world! In order to have a beautiful terminal, Toronto charges airlines a huge amount amount. I'm glad YVR is so well run, we have an amazing looking and functioning airport, that a lot of airlines want to use.... Now if only Transport Canada would encourage more Open Skies, we would be even better!

PS> see this link for the article about YYZ fees
http://news.airwise.com/story/view/1149686092.html

[deasine]

I don't know why people like Toronto's airport and I certainly won't say it's beautiful... it's so minimalistic, but on the sterile side and basic it looks like any other airport. Their amenities and choices of food restaurants aren't good either.

YVR is quite an amazing airport. The only problem I have with it right now is our designs used. Ceiling tiles? Really? That was what ticked me off for the C-Pier expansion. I rather just have exposed metal ceiling with a feel actual panels hanging around, similar to what is outside of the Maple Leaf Air Canada Lounge near the domestic security area.

[zahav]

Originally Posted by deasine

YVR is quite an amazing airport. The only problem I have with it right now is our designs used. Ceiling tiles? Really? That was what ticked me off for the C-Pier expansion. I rather just have exposed metal ceiling with a feel actual panels hanging around, similar to what is outside of the Maple Leaf Air Canada Lounge near the domestic security area.

i agree, the C-Pier isn't as bad as the Link II; I really think they need to do something with it, its so big and open, but almost too open... I thought they were going to have skylights in it, or at least the same curved exposed ceilings as the Maple Leaf lounge area... but no, they put in ceiling tiles... I suspect it is because there is something on Level 4 in the Link, but if not, ceiling tiles were a bad choice.

[deasine]

Link II is a little too open. Walking out of the security check point, you just see this huge open space up above... but it's like negative space. I know they have these "pieces of art" (glass tubes) hanging up but I think skylights would've been nicer. Some interesting skylight placement like the ones in Aberdeen Centre would've been perfect, with like native art hanging from each skylight. Too bad.

[Yume-sama]

Pretty cool, the two 747's that brought the Japanese Emperor to Vancouver.


http://www.flickr.com/photos/15328617@N02/3711260465/


http://www.flickr.com/photos/15328617@N02/3712017526/

And the Air Canada 767 he chartered to take him to Victoria

http://www.flickr.com/photos/15328617@N02/3713847089/


http://www.flickr.com/photos/15328617@N02/3708225895/

He will be departing for Tokyo on Tuesday.

[mr.x]

lmao, there were TWO planes? Did the Emperor and Empress fly on different planes on the way here? Did they bring their entire castle of servants as well?


And they're both 747's!

[Yume-sama]

Originally Posted by mr.x

lmao, there were TWO planes? Did the Emperor and Empress fly on different planes on the way here? Did they bring their entire castle of servants as well?


And they're both 747's!

Kyoto protocol is srs business.

One was *probably* for the Emperor and Empress, the other for media, some 47 outlets from across Japan accompanied them (probably 200 - 300 people?)

I don't know the exact protocol in Japan, but it is possible they each had to travel on separate planes in case of an accident, as is common for some places.

It would be horrific if something had happened to a plane with BOTH of them on it (though I get the impression they traveled together ).

I wonder where they stayed while here? Perhaps the Fairmont with all of the other Japanese tourists~

[NetMapel]

One is probably a decoy plane

[SFUVancouver]

They stayed at the Pan Pacific.

I saw the Empress waving from their car yesterday.

[MalcolmTucker]

^ when the Japanese Prime Minister was in Calgary for the G8 a couple years back, they brought two 747s, just like how the americans do, in case one breaks down.

I wonder if they have four - or what the Japanese PM flew in to Italy last week for the G8 since two were in Canada.

[Yume-sama]

Apparently the Japan Air Self Defense Force maintains only 2 747's, since 1991, that may only be used by only the Emperor or Prime Minister.

And unlike America, it can *only* be used on official visits. Not personal vacations
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanese_Air_Force_One

[zahav]

http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/July2009/14/c5890.html

Media Advisory - Grand Opening of YVR's Public Observation Area
VANCOUVER, July 14 /CNW/ -

What: Vancouver Airport Authority invites media to attend the unveiling
of its new Public Observation Area, featuring interactive
exhibits, telescopes, a model of Sea Island and unobstructed views
of YVR's airfield.

When: Thursday, July 16, 2009
10:00 a.m.

Where: Vancouver International Airport
Public Observation Area, Domestic Terminal, Level 4
Enter from Level 3, Departures, by the food court

Please park on levels 2 or 3 of the parkade; parking passes will be
available.




For further information: Media Relations, Vancouver Airport Authority,
(604) 880-9815,

[zahav]

http://www.ctvbc.ctv.ca/servlet/an/local...090715/20090715/?hub=BritishColumbiaHome

I think the new visa requirements are so badly thought out; they are risking a valuable relationship with an important country... There are so many Mexicans in Vancouver now, and they are very important to the economy, and life of downtown... This ruling comes off so badly, and makes Canada look archaic in its border policies... What if Mexico made Canada require visas?? Think of how many people go to resorts there, it would be so bad... but I hope they do, just to show Canada how stupid it is

New federal visa requirements wreak havoc at YVR
Updated: Wed Jul. 15 2009 09:37:47

ctvbc.ca

There was chaos at Vancouver's YVR airport Tuesday, one day after Canada's immigration minister announced new travel restrictions for visitors from Mexico and the Czech Republic. In an effort to stop Mexican and Czech nationals from claiming refugee status, visitors from both countries are being asked to produce travel visas before entering Canada. As a result, a 300-passenger international flight from Mexico City was detained for up to three hours Tuesday afternoon when it was found some of its travelers didn't have the proper visas prepared - even though they weren't told they needed the documents until midnight Monday. The Canadian Border Services Agency says it granted the travelers a temporary resident permit, and waived what would have been a $200 fee for each of them. But held-up airport passengers are not the only ones facing trouble as a result of the sudden restrictions.

A family reunion in ruins
The Alexander family in Coquitlam now fears their long-awaited family reunion might not happen. Seven of Ophilia Alexander's relatives in Monterrey, Mexico had planned to come to Vancouver this Friday. Under the new restrictions, it may be impossible.
"It's just unfair, it's very said. They've already packed," Alexander said Tuesday.
"The logistics of getting those visas is impossible by Thursday. They've made it an impossible situation," husband Murray Alexander said.

Stockwell Day says the motivation behind the move is to stem the tide of Mexican tourists who become refugee claimants, and stay for years.
"When you have 9000 people claiming refugee status, that jams the system," Day said. "Over 90 per cent are not valid, and the people who need this don't get that opportunity and something needs to be done."

The Alexanders say they don't like Canada's refugee system being abused - but that they're still being punished for the sins of others.

With a report from CTV British Columbia's Jon Woodward

[deasine]

More C-Pier:

From Gate 36-37:

Taken by Deasine ∙ July 14 2009 ∙ Hosted on Facebook ∙ Creative Commons Protected


Taken by Deasine ∙ July 14 2009 ∙ Hosted on Facebook ∙ Creative Commons Protected


Taken by Deasine ∙ July 14 2009 ∙ Hosted on Facebook ∙ Creative Commons Protected


Taken by Deasine ∙ July 14 2009 ∙ Hosted on Facebook ∙ Creative Commons Protected


Taken by Deasine ∙ July 14 2009 ∙ Hosted on Facebook ∙ Creative Commons Protected

Some sort of ramp? Someone else might know what this is for:

Taken by Deasine ∙ July 14 2009 ∙ Hosted on Facebook ∙ Creative Commons Protected

Link II:

Taken by Deasine ∙ July 14 2009 ∙ Hosted on Facebook ∙ Creative Commons Protected


Taken by Deasine ∙ July 14 2009 ∙ Hosted on Facebook ∙ Creative Commons Protected

See what I mean by open and sterile?

[mr.x]

Not much of a royal treatment for domestic travelers....i really hate the tiled roofing at YVR.

[deasine]

The real beauty of the airport is the intl terminal but it too has ceiling tiles... except presented in a more acceptable way.

[mr.x]

The domestic terminal seems like an afterthought....Canadian visitors/tourists should be just as important as the international ones.

[deasine]

I find it funny, though, that the Domestic terminal past security looks like that... but the rest of the Domestic terminal looks better than the rest of the airport, at least in my opinion. Rest assured the observation area looks quite cool.

[zahav]

There's some photos of the observation deck opening here:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/35264437@N06/