Canada’s second busiest airport, Vancouver International Airport welcomed 17.9 million people in 2008, facilitated more than 278,000 aircraft take-offs and landings on our runways and handled 211,300 tonnes of cargo.

Since 1992, when the Airport Authority assumed responsibility for the airport, passenger traffic has increased more than 78% from 9.9 million passengers, and cargo has increased nearly 57% from 144,000 tonnes.

After a $600,000 investment by the City of Vancouver, construction for an airport serving the Greater Vancouver area began in 1930. Development included a single runway, a small wood frame two-storey administration building and waiting room, two concrete hangars, a float plane harbour and other associated services. The Vancouver Municipal Airport reached completion in 1931, with more than 55,000 attending the opening day. In its first year, approximately 536 passengers arrived through the new airport from other points.

In the late 1930s and early 1940s, the airport experienced continuous expansion, including the purchase of Sea Island, the development of new runways and hangars and additional airline services to many different cities across Canada and into Seattle.

In 1948 the airport officially became known as the Vancouver International Airport. Just a year later, the original terminal building was destroyed by a fire.
The Jet Years
1950-1980

Increasing passenger and cargo traffic in the early 1950s created a need for further expansion. With the opening of a new, three-kilometre long, east-west runway, the airport received its designation of a Class A International Airport.

During late 1950s and early 1960s, the airport entered into its ‘jet-era’, expanding services and facilities to allow for larger jet planes.In October of 1986, the airport opened a new $32 million main Air Terminal, capable of serving 1.9 million passengers. The building continued to grow over the next several years to keep pace with growing demand and accommodate jumbo jets on gates and holdrooms.

By the early 1970s, Air Canada began running 747 flights into the airport.
The Transformative Years
1980-2010

The 1980s welcomed a series of modifications and expansions to the terminal. In 1986 Vancouver hosted Expo 86 – the first major world-class event to pass through the Vancouver International Airport. By 1989, the airport became commonly known as “YVR” – a name that soon became synonymous with the Vancouver International Airport.

In 1992 YVR became on of the first four airports in Canada transferred from the Federal Government to local community-based, not-for-profit organizations. The new Airport Authority officially assumed management and operation on July 1 and embarked on an ambitious development plan.

The late 1990s and early 2000s were exponential growth years at YVR. The opening and continuous expansions of the International Terminal Building allowed for expanded transborder and international traffic. In June of 2002, The Airport Authority celebrated its 10th anniversary and becomes the first organization to be designated a Power Smart Certified business by BC Hydro. This was the first of many steps towards a commitment to sustainability The Airport Authority would honour in coming years.

In 2004, after three years of unprecedented challenges, the aviation industry rebounds strongly, setting the stage for a period of sustained growth. YVR welcomes 15.7 million passengers. In February, the Airport Authority announces a $1.4 billion 10-year Capital Program to help ensure YVR can accommodate the 21 million passengers expected by 2010.

Welcome to the February issue of YVR Air Mail, the official newsletter for YVR and the Airport Authority. We hope you enjoy it and we welcome your feedback

YVR Puts on a Warm Welcome for the World

The atmosphere was colourful and boisterous as athletes and visitors from around the world arrived at YVR to cheers, smiles and an airport decked-out in the look on 2010 winter game.

All Access Airport: YVR Ready to Welcome Paralympians

Vancouver Airport Authority is ready to ensure that travellers of all physical capabilities have a positive experience as they pass through the airport.

Chinese New Year Roars Into YVR

Sunday, February 14 was a day to celebrate - and if Valentine's Day and Canada's first gold medal at the 2010 Winter Games weren't enough - it was also the kick-off to the Chinese Lunar New Year
Making our Mountains Accessible: YVR Joins the Challenge

With the 2010 Winter Paralympic Games just around the corner, YVR is rising to the Challenge to help raise money for adaptive snow sport athletes.
Games Visitors Experience B.C.'s Landscapes

The Vancouver Art Gallery is hosting an exhibition to showcase the diversity and wealth of British Columbia art to 2010 Winter Games visitors.

Aircraft of the Month: Air Force Two

While the call sign Air Force Two is used for any United States Air Force aircraft carrying the Vice President of the United States, it is most often a Boeing C-32 like the one that came to YVR for the 2010 Winter Games.
Future Planning

To guide Vancouver International Airport’s operations and development in the short, medium and long-term, the Airport Authority has a five-tiered planning process to clearly map out our goals and share them with our communities.

The Strategic Plan provides the big picture, the fundamental direction: Mission, Vision and Values. The Master Plan looks forward 20 years at the best possible allocation of YVR resources. The Capital and Financial Plans allocate funding and set out what kind of airport infrastructure we will build and when.

British Columbia has many attributes that make YVR an airport of choice for travelers and cargo:

* strategic location on great circle routes between Asia and North America
* desirable tourist destination
* cosmopolitan population with global family ties

Our geographic location provides YVR with a significant competitive advantage as the ideal gateway connecting the Asia-Pacific Region, North America, Europe and Latin America.

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