Vancouver International Airport (IATA: YVR, ICAO: CYVR) is located on Sea Island in Richmond, British Columbia, Canada, about 12 km (7.5 mi) from Downtown Vancouver. In 2011 it was the second busiest airport in Canada by aircraft movements (296,942^[3]) and passengers (17.0 million^[4]), behind Toronto Pearson International Airport, with non-stop flights daily to Asia, Europe, Oceania, the United States, and Mexico, and other airports within Canada. The airport has won several notable international best airport awards; it won the Skytrax Best North American Airport award in 2010, the second time it has received the honour (the first was in 2007).^[5][6] YVR also retains the distinction of Best Canadian Airport in the regional results.^[7] It is a hub for Air Canada, Air Canada Express and Air Transat as well as a focus city for WestJet. Vancouver International Airport is one of eight Canadian airports that have US Border Preclearance facilities. Vancouver International Airport (YVR) has been named, "The Best Airport in North America."^[8]

Vancouver International Airport is owned by Transport Canada^[9] and is managed by Vancouver International Airport Authority,^[10] which also manages other airports around the world through its Vancouver Airport Services subsidiary.

History

In 1927, Charles Lindbergh refused to include Vancouver in his North American tour because of the lack of a proper airport. Two years later, the city purchased land on Sea Island for aviation purposes, replacing the original grass airstrip at Minoru Park. During World War II the airports and its original terminal, now the South Terminal, would be leased to the Federal government, and operated by the Department of National Defence and the Department of Transport. The airport was a base for Royal Canadian Air Force training, the crews and their families housed in a new townsite on the island, named Burkeville after Boeing president Stanley Burke. Funds from the lease were used to purchase additional land for new hangars and a production plant for Boeing Aircraft of Canada.^[11]

The present main terminal was completed in 1968, and has since been expanded to include separate domestic and international terminals. A north runway was completed in 1996.

Gateway

Due to its proximity to Asia in relation to the rest of Canada, YVR is the major gateway between Canada and Asia. It has more transpacific flights than any other airport in Canada. The sizable number of Asian Canadians living in Metro Vancouver contributes to the large number of flights as well.

On March 1, 2010 the day after the conclusion of the 2010 Winter Olympics, YVR was expected to set a record for daily traffic, with an estimated increase of 39,000 departing passengers, in addition to the 2009 daily average of 22,000 arrivals.

Terminals

Vancouver International Airport has three terminals:

• the Domestic Terminal, which was constructed in 1968 and recently given a top-to-bottom renovation
• the International Terminal, which includes a US Preclearance Annexe for US-bound flights
• the South Terminal, which is a portion of the original terminal that is still in use

The International and Domestic terminals could be considered to be one very large building divided into two sections, while the South terminal is located in a remote part of the airport. The South Terminal serves regional airlines which fly mostly within British Columbia. The International Terminal serves international destinations, with most US-bound flights utilising the US Border Preclearance facilities in the International Terminal.

The South Terminal houses the corporate headquarters of Pacific Coastal Airlines.^[12]

Architecture

Vancouver International Airport's interior has a uniquely British Columbian theme, featuring one of the most extensive collections of Pacific Northwest Coast Native art in the world, and blues and greens to reflect the colours of the land, sea and sky. The airport uses a great deal of carpet and vast expanses of glass to let in large amounts of natural light. One of the most noticeable places for an arriving passenger is the International arrivals hall, a large area where customs and immigration procedures are completed. Arriving passengers come down escalators leading to a platform across a large waterfall. The YVR aboriginal art collection includes wooden sculptures and totem poles. Bill Reid's sculpture in bronze, "The Spirit of Haida Gwaii, The Jade Canoe", is displayed in the international departures area. The Institute for stained glass in Canada has documented the stained glass at Vancouver International Airport.^[13]

Airlines and destinations

Cargo

• Air Canada Cargo
• AirPac Airlines^[19]
• Ameriflight
• ABX Air
• DB Schenker
• Cargojet Airways
• Carson Air^[20]
• Cathay Pacific Cargo
• China Southern Airlines Cargo
• DHL Express
• Empire Airlines
• Fedex
• Kelowna Flightcraft Air Charter
• Kalitta Air
• Morningstar Air Express
• Nolinor Aviation
• Purolator Courier
• UPS Airlines
• Volga-Dnepr Airlines (Seasonal)

Cost

In May 2005, the federal government, which owns the land, announced it was cutting rent costs by 54%. The rent reductions will cut the cost of the lease by approximately $840 million CAD between 20062020, or $5.0 billion CAD over the term of the lease, which ends in 2052. Currently, the airport authority pays about $80 million CAD each year in rent.

Passengers traveling through YVR are no longer required to pay a separate Airport Improvement Fee; it now is included in the price of a ticket.

Public transit connections

Rapid transit

The international and domestic terminals are served by YVRAirport Station, a terminus station of the Canada Line. A link building ($117 million, completed in 2007) links the international terminal with the domestic terminal, and serves as the arrival and departure area for users of the Canada Line. The Canada Line, one of three existing lines of Metro Vancouver's SkyTrain rapid transit network, opened in August 2009, in advance of the 2010 Winter Olympics in the following February. Vancouver's airport is the only one in Canada with a rail rapid transit connection. Vancouver International Airport contributed $300 million to the Canada Line construction.

Bus

Late at night and during Canada Line service interruptions, the N10 night bus connects the airport's international and domestic terminals to Richmond and downtown Vancouver. The airport's south terminal is served by the C92 bus, which connects to the Canada Line at Bridgeport Station.

Future expansion

YVR recently completed a $1.4-billion, multi-year capital development plan, which included a four-gate expansion to the International Terminal Wing, completed in June 2007. Two of the four new gates are conventional wide-bodied gates, and two are able to accommodate the Airbus A380. The international terminal addition has several examples of beauty in British Columbia, including a stream in a pathway and fish and jellyfish tanks.

Also recently completed was a five-gate and food and retail expansion in the Domestic Terminal's C-Pier, completed in 2009, and the Canada Line rapid transit link between YVR, Richmond and downtown Vancouver, which opened in August 2009.

Vancouver International Airport Authority has developed a 2007-2027 Master Plan and Land Use Plan, a look forward 20 years to ensure YVR will be able to accommodate the passengers it expects. It is asking the community for input and toured local malls with an informational display to elicit feedback. The tour is complete, but the public can still provide feedback through the Master Plan section of the YVR website, where a copy of the draft Master Plan recommendations is also available.^[21][22]

Operation Yellow Ribbon

The airport's reputation as a premier gateway airport between Asia and North America was made evident during Operation Yellow Ribbon on September 11, 2001. With U.S. airspace closed as a result of the terrorist attacks on New York and Washington, there was no choice for Vancouver International Airport but to take part in the operation since it was the only major Canadian airport on the West Coast of Canada that has the capability of handling large aircraft for trans-Pacific flights. The airport handled 34 flightsthird highest total of flight that landed at a Canadian airport involved in the operation, behind Halifax and Gandercarrying 8,500 passengersmore passengers than any other Canadian airportfrom Asia to destinations on the United States West Coast and points beyond.

The airport won the 2001 Airport Management Award from the B.C. Aviation Council^[23] and was cited for overcoming many challenges in a professional and compassionate way.^[24]

FBOs

There are several fixed base operators that service aircraft at Vancouver International Airport:

• Esso Avitat (Esso/Imperial Oil)
• Million Air (Air BP)
• Landmark Aviation (Shell Canada)

Accidents and incidents

• On February 7, 1968, a Canadian Pacific Airlines Boeing 707 overran a runway, and hit a building, while landing in heavy fog, killing one crew member.

• On 1 March 1970, Vickers Viscount CF-THY of Air Canada collided in mid-air with Ercoupe 415 CF-SHN on approach to Vancouver International Airport. The Ercoupe pilot was killed.^[25]

• On 19 August 1995, Douglas C-47B C-GZOF of Air North crashed on approach killing one of the three crew. The aircraft was on a ferry flight to Prince Rupert Airport when the starboard propellor went into overspeed and the decision was made to return to Vancouver International.^[26]

• On October 19, 1995, a Canadian Airlines McDonnell Douglas DC-10 aborted takeoff on runway 26 (now 26L) two seconds after the V₁ call. The aircraft ended up in the soft ground west of the end of runway, causing the failure of the nose gear. All 243 passengers and 14 crew escaped with no more than minor injuries.^[27]

• On September 11, 2001, an Air China 747 from Beijing to San Francisco, was escorted by two U.S. F-15s onto the airport's north runway during Operation Yellow Ribbon, apparently due to a communication problem.

• On October 14, 2007, a Polish immigrant, Robert Dziekanski, died after being shot with a taser by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police at the airport. Dziekaski, who did not speak English, became agitated after waiting approximately 10 hours at the arrivals hall because he could not find his mother. While police were attempting to take Dziekanski into custody he was tased by officers and subsequently died. The subsequent Braidwood Inquiry began in May 2008. In June, 2010, the judge found that the use of the Taser was not justified. The RCMP issued an apology to Dziekanski's mother. The commission also found that Tasers have the capability to injure or kill by causing heart irregularities, especially where the individual is medically or emotionally compromised.^[28]

• On October 19, 2007, at approximately 4:10 pm, a Piper Seneca bound for Pitt Meadows Airport took off from YVR and crashed into a nearby apartment building in Richmond. The pilot was the sole occupant of the plane. He was killed in the crash. Two others were injured, both of whom were in the apartment building at the time.

• On September 18, 2008 in the afternoon, an Air Canada Airbus A340 collided with an Air Canada Jazz Dash 8 aircraft. The Jazz flight was taxiing on the runway when it collided. The Air Canada flight was bound for Hong Kong. Both aircraft received damage but there were no injuries or fatalities.

• On July 9, 2009 at approximately 10:08pm, a Piper Navajo airplane originating from Victoria crashed into an industrial area in Richmond, across from IKEA on Sweden Way. The two pilots were killed.^[29] It was owned and operated by Canadian Air Charters and was carrying units of blood for Canadian Blood Services at the time.^[29] Officials say that wake turbulence was the main cause of the crash. Fatigue, along with diminished depth perception in darkness, was also a factor.^[29]

• On May 15, 2010 at just before 11:00am, a Cathay Pacific Airbus A340 commercial flight from Hong Kong was intercepted by two Canadian CF-18 Hornets in response to a bomb threat. The plane landed with no incidents, and ultimately no bomb was found on board.^[30][31]

• On October 27, 2011 at around 4:15pm, a Northern Thunderbird Air Beechcraft King Air 100 attempted to land on the south runway but missed by about 900 metres, hitting a lamppost and car, then crashing on nearby Russ Baker Way and Gilbert Road at the north end of Dinsmore Bridge. There were seven passengers and two crew members on board; only the pilot was confirmed dead at 9:00 pm that evening, while the others survived with various injuries. Two on the ground were also injured. ^[32] On November 16 2011, the co-pilot of the flight died as well. ^[33]

References

External links

• Vancouver International Airport Authority
• Vancouver International Airport page on Places to Fly, the airport directory of the Canadian Owners and Pilots Association
• Vancouver International Airport Authority Union
• Past three hours METARs, SPECI and current TAFs for Vancouver International Airport from NAV CANADA as available.