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Tag: Vancouver YVR

  • Cannabis at YVR

    RICHMOND, BC, Oct. 11, 2018 /CNW/ – On October 17, 2018, the lawful sale and consumption of cannabis for recreational use will be adopted in Canada. In B.C., this means that people 19 and over can now legally carry up to 30 grams of cannabis and can travel with it domestically within Canada, though laws may vary by province and territory.  It is the responsibility of those passing through YVR to understand and adhere to all applicable local, provincial, federal and international regulations regarding the carriage and possession of cannabis.

    Please help us spread the word.  This change is significant and, to avoid confusion, we recommend passengers do their research before setting out for the airport.

    Here are the four key points we wish to communicate to travellers ahead of legalization on October 17th:

    • Crossing international borders with cannabis is illegal: If you are travelling internationally, including to the U.S., it is illegal to cross the border with cannabis. It doesn’t matter whether you’re leaving or entering Canada, or what the laws of your destination are. Keep in mind that YVR is also a pre-clearance airport, meaning on most U.S. flights, you clear customs and are considered to be in the U.S. before boarding your flight.
    • If travelling with cannabis in Canada, be aware that laws may vary by province and territory:While it is legal for adults to travel in Canada with cannabis, you should know that laws may differ where you travel. This includes legal age, where you can smoke or vape, consume and buy cannabis.
    • Cannabis smoking and vaping is permitted at YVR in designated areas only: If you wish to consume cannabis at YVR, smoking and vaping is permitted outside the terminal building in clearly marked areas. We will continue to provide a smoke- and vape-free environment inside our airport.
    • It is your responsibility to know the cannabis laws wherever you travel: We want to emphasize that it is the responsibility of those passing through YVR to understand and adhere to all applicable local, provincial, federal and international regulations regarding the carriage and possession of cannabis.

    For more information, passengers are encouraged to check out www.yvr.ca/cannabis where we further detail YVR policies and link to partner websites with clear information.

  • Passenger satisfaction has improved in two years at Canada’s three largest airports

    THE CANADIAN PRESS September 19, 2018

    TORONTO — A J.D. Power survey says passenger satisfaction has improved in two years at Canada’s three largest airports.

    Vancouver International’s score rose five points to 781 on a 1,000-point scale that measured satisfaction with check-in; food, beverage and retail; accessibility; terminal facilities and baggage claim.

    Montreal’s Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport scored 774, up from 760 in 2016.

    Toronto’s Pearson International Airport received 761 points, up from 745 two years ago. Calgary’s score was unchanged at 756.

    Overall airport satisfaction at North America’s 64 largest airports reached a record high of 761 points, 12 points higher than in 2017 and 30 points above 2016 when Canadian airports were last measured.

    Increased scores are primarily driven by higher satisfaction with food, beverage, retail and security checks.

  • Competition tribunal to hear case on airline food starting in October

    THE CANADIAN PRESS Updated: September 18, 2018 – VANCOUVER — The federal Competition Tribunal has set a date for hearings between the Vancouver Airport Authority and Canada’s competition watchdog, which has accused the airport operator of stifling competition among in-flight catering companies.

    In a case launched in 2016, the competition commissioner argued the airport authority had exploited its market position by denying new airplane catering suppliers access to the airport, resulting in higher prices and worse service.

    The commissioner has asked the Competition Tribunal for an order requiring the Vancouver Airport Authority to open Vancouver International Airport to greater competition.

    The airport authority has told the quasi-judicial body it aims to foster competition but also has limited influence on the airline food market.

    “In addition, to the best of the authority’s knowledge, the demand for catering and related services at the airport is not sufficient to support additional entry at this time,” it said in court documents.

    The airport had two full-service caterers in 2016.

    Airlines generally select their catering providers, but the Vancouver Airport Authority determines which companies can access the “airside,” the area past the security perimeter where suppliers must enter to provide services. For an in-flight caterer, no airside access can effectively bar airport operations.

    In court filings, the commissioner said the airport authority “completely controls the market” for galley handling and “stand1/8s3/8 as a wall between” passenger airlines and “new-entrant firms.”

    In-flight catering involves preparing on-board meals, and galley handling comprises loading, unloading, storing and transporting catering products.

    “The Vancouver Airport Authority has abused its dominant market position by excluding and denying the benefits of competition to the in-flight catering marketplace at Vancouver International Airport,” then-competition commissioner John Pecman said in his September 2016 application.

    “It has no legitimate explanation to justify the substantial prevention or lessening of competition that has resulted in higher prices, dampened innovation and lower service quality,” he said.

    The hearings are slated to run for 17 days between Oct. 2 and Nov. 15.

  • WestJet latest airline to retreat from Mexico City

    05 SEPTEMBER, 2018 SOURCE: FLIGHT DASHBOARD BY: JON HEMMERDINGER BOSTON

    WestJet-MaxCalgary-based WestJet will exit Mexico City in October, becoming the latest among several North American airlines to retrench from Mexico’s capital city.

    The move comes just seven month after WestJet entered the Mexico City market with routes from Calgary and Vancouver.

    “It’s just not performing up to the standards that we would like to see,” WestJet chief financial officer Harry Taylor says of Mexico City. “We don’t want to be cost-subsidising at this point.”

    Taylor adds that despite retrenching, WestJet still sees long-term opportunity to serve Mexico City and could return.

    “Long term – there’s something there,” he tells FlightGlobal.

    WestJet will operate its last Vancouver-Mexico City flight on 3 October, followed by its final Calgary-Mexico City flight on 27 October, FlightGlobal schedules data shows.

    The carrier launched both routes in March and does not serve Mexico City from any other destination, data shows.

    WestJet’s move mirrors cuts by other airlines. Seattle-based Alaska Airlines will stop serving Mexico City on 7 November when it operates it last flight from Los Angeles.

    Alaska called that route “underperforming” and said that the change frees aircraft to launch new routes, such as Seattle to Columbus, Ohio, which the airline plans to start in March 2019.

    Alaska also had served Mexico City from San Francisco, but ended that route in May.

    Likewise, United Airlines will also cut its Los Angeles-Mexico City flight in October, schedules data shows.

    Capacity in available seats from North America to Mexico City jumped 9% year-over-year in the third quarter of 2018, primarily reflecting expansion by low-cost carriers Aeromar, JetBlue Airways, Southwest Airlines, VivaAerobus and Volaris, schedules data shows.

    WestJet’s move comes as the airline seeks to tighten its operation and bolster its finances. The carrier has seen costs balloon in recent quarters, and posted a second quarter operating loss.

    The financial challenges hit amid a broad, companywide transformation under which WestJet is moving upscale, acquiring Boeing 787s, installing business class seats on 737s and adding flights at its hubs.

  • Flights from YVR to Hawaii cancelled, as Hurricane Lane approaches

    News1130.com by DENISE WONG

    WestJet-MaxVANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) – At least four flights from Vancouver to the Hawaiian Islands have been cancelled, as torrential downpours soak the Big Island.

    Hurricane Lane is approaching the island, with about 30 centimetres of rain falling in about 12 hours in some parts. It is a Category 4 storm.

    WestJet has cancelled flights from YVR to Honolulu and Kahului for Thursday and Friday.

    However, two recovery flights are taking passengers out of Honolulu and Maui.

    From News660.com…

  • WestJet gives Canadians more sun and fun this winter

    Airline adds Calgary/Montego Bay and Saskatoon/Orlando

    CALGARY, Aug. 13, 2018 /CNW/ – WestJet guests across Canada will have more ways to escape the cold this winter with the release of WestJet’s seasonal schedule for winter 2018/2019. The schedule includes more flights from WestJet hubs to domestic, transborder, international and sun destinations including Maui, Phoenix, Las Vegas, Orlando, Huatulco, Puerto Vallarta and Belize, among others.

    As part of the winter schedule, WestJet announced twice-weekly, non-stop service between Calgary International Airport (YYC) and Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay, Jamaica (MBJ) and weekly, non-stop service between Skyxe Saskatoon Airport (YXE) and Orlando International Airport (MCO). The services start November 3, 2018 and December 7, 2018, respectively.

    “WestJet guests across our network continue to benefit from new destinations, schedule improvements and more flights,” said Tim Croyle, WestJet Interim Executive Vice-President, Commercial. “We continue growing our hubs to ensure the best travel experience for Canadians while laying the foundation for the entry of our Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners from these hubs to the world.”

    Route Frequency Departing Arriving Effective
    Calgary – Montego Bay Twice weekly 9:30 a.m. 4:44 p.m. Nov. 3, 2018*
    Montego Bay – Calgary Twice weekly 1:20 p.m. 7:20 p.m. Nov. 3, 2018*
    Saskatoon – Orlando Weekly 2:30 p.m. 7:50 p.m. December 7, 2018
    Orlando – Saskatoon Weekly 9:00 a.m. 12:59 p.m. December 7, 2018

    *Once weekly effective November 3, 2018 moving to twice weekly effective January 6, 2019.

    This winter, WestJet will operate an average of 701 daily flights to 96 destinations including 39 in Canada, 22 in the United States, 34 in Mexico, the Caribbean and Central America, and one in Europe.

    Highlights of WestJet’s 2018/2019 winter schedule include:

    CALGARY

    • Calgary-Nanaimo, from two times daily to three times daily or 21 weekly flights.
    • Calgary-Kamloops, from two times daily to three times daily or 21 weekly flights.
    • Calgary-Kelowna, from seven times daily to nine times daily each business day, or 59 weekly flights – more than any other carrier.
    • Calgary-Fort St. John will double service from once daily to twice daily.
    • Calgary-Grand Prairie, from four times daily to five times daily each business day.
    • Calgary-Yellowknife will double service from once daily to twice daily.
    • Calgary-Regina, from six daily flight to seven daily flights or 49 weekly.
    • Calgary-Saskatoon, from six daily flights to eight daily flights each business day.
    • Calgary-Maui, from four weekly flights to seven weekly flights.
    • Calgary-Phoenix, from 20 to 21 times weekly or three times daily.
    • Calgary-Las Vegas, from 19 to 20 times weekly.
    • Calgary-Orlando, from five to seven times weekly.
    • Calgary-Cancun, from 16 to 20 times weekly.
    • Calgary-Cabo San Lucas, from eight weekly flights to 10 weekly flights.
    • Calgary-Huatulco, from two weekly flights to three weekly flights.
    • Calgary-Mazatlan, from three weekly flights to four weekly flights.
    • Calgary-Puerto Vallarta, from 14 to 19 times weekly.
    • Calgary-Ixtapa/Zihuantanejo, from four weekly flights to five times weekly flights.
    • Calgary-Belize, from one to two times weekly.
    • Calgary-Nashville seasonal route ending will now be November 26, 2018 and will resume on March 1, 2019.
    • Extension of existing summer service on WestJet Link through the winter between Calgary and Cranbrook, Lethbridge, Medicine Hat, Lloydminster and Prince George.

    VANCOUVER

    • An additional daily flight from Vancouver to Nanaimo.

    EDMONTON

    • An increase of one daily flight from Edmonton to Kelowna for a total of seven flights a day each business day.
    • Edmonton-Los Angeles, from six weekly flights to seven weekly flights.
    • Edmonton-Orlando from once weekly to twice weekly.
    • Edmonton-Cabo San Lucas from once weekly to twice weekly.

    TORONTO

    • Toronto-Las Vegas, from 14 weekly flights to 15 weekly.
    • Toronto-Fort Lauderdale from 12 weekly flights to 16 weekly.
    • Toronto-Orlando, from 15 weekly to 18 times weekly.
    • Toronto-Tampa, from seven weekly to eight times weekly.
    • Toronto-Kingston, Jamaica, from two to three times weekly.
    • Toronto-Grand Cayman, from two weekly flights to three times weekly flights.
    • Toronto-Nassau, from nine weekly flights to 12 weekly flights.
    • Toronto-Turks and Caicos, from two weekly flights to four times weekly.
    • Toronto-San Juan, from one weekly flight to two times weekly.
    • Toronto-St. Maarten will operate four times weekly.
    • Toronto-London (ON), from 14 weekly flights to 21 weekly flights or three times daily.

    For more information on new routes and increased frequencies in WestJet’s 2018/2019 winter schedule, please visit westjet.com/flight-schedules-new.

     

  • Calgary WestJet pilot captures startling aerial photos of B.C. wildfires

    Vancouver Sun – Clare Clancy – August 9, 2018

    “I’ve been flying for 20 years and I see smoke every summer, but nothing quite as defined,” said Matt Melnyk, who snapped the pictures Wednesday, 8 August, during an hour-long flight from Calgary to Vancouver.

    Melnyk, a Calgary co-pilot with WestJet, said there were no clouds in the sky at 40,000 feet, just east of Kelowna.

    “I could see the mountains and that huge line of smoke,” said the former Edmontonian in a Thursday interview. “The specific weather that was occurring at that moment made it so visible, and so alarming and crisp.

    “I couldn’t believe it.”

  • Air Canada Announces Longlist for Canada’s Best New Restaurants 2018

    Top 10 to be revealed in November issue of Air Canada enRoute Magazine

    TORONTO, Aug. 9, 2018 /CNW Telbec/ – Air Canada is proud to present the 30 nominees for Canada’s Best New Restaurants presented by American Express. The highly anticipated longlist, drawn from a coast-to-coast culinary exploration, is out today on CanadasBestNewRestaurants.com.

    From an Italian-inflected seafood menu in a beachy Halifax room to the wildly creative charcuterie cabinet of a French bistro in Victoria, this year’s finalists celebrate the delectable diversity of Canadian cuisine. Based on the recommendations from a panel of food experts, Air Canada sends one writer on an anonymous, month-long, cross-country dining marathon to determine the most notable new openings that become contenders for the coveted annual Top 10 list.

    “For over 15 years, Air Canada has been committed to discovering the latest Canadian culinary innovations and dining destinations, and celebrating the central role they play in our customers’ travel experience,” says Andy Shibata, Managing Director, Brand, Air Canada. “This year, we want to celebrate diversity in Canada’s culinary culture and highlight chefs and restaurateurs with global backgrounds. Their achievements will be honoured and featured online and in Air Canada’s enRoute onboard magazine.”

    “Our Cardmembers are passionate about food and look to us to point them towards the country’s best restaurants and chefs,” says David Barnes, VP of Advertising and Communications, American Express Canada. “That’s why it’s a natural fit for us to pair with Air Canada and sponsor Canada’s Best New Restaurants for the fourth year running. We’re so excited about the contenders on this list this year.”

    The 2018 nominees for Canada’s Best New Restaurants are:

    1909 Kitchen, Tofino, BC; Aloette, Toronto; Atlas, Toronto; Avenue Restaurant, Regina; Bar Kismet, Halifax; Biera, Edmonton; Bistro Rosie, Montréal; Bread and Circus, Calgary; Bündok, Edmonton; La Cabane d’à Côté, Mirabel, QC; The Courtney Room, Victoria; Cruz Tacos, Calgary; Donna Mac, Calgary; Elena, Montréal; Giulietta, Toronto; Hopkins, Montréal; Il Covo, Toronto; Kanto 98th St., Edmonton; Kiin, Toronto; Kūkŭm Kitchen, Toronto; Vin Mon Lapin, Montréal; Omai, Toronto; Oxbow, Winnipeg; Passero, Winnipeg; The Restaurant at Pearl Morissette, Jordan Station, ON; Sand and Pearl, Picton, ON; Seedlings, Bloomfield, ON; Skippa, Toronto; St. Lawrence, Vancouver; Tanto, Toronto.

    Canada’s Best New Restaurants 2018 highlights the top restaurants that have launched across the country over the last 12 months and deliver memorable experiences through the quality of their food, level of service and original contribution to the Canadian dining landscape.

    The annual Top 10 ranking will be unveiled at a celebration in Toronto on October 25, 2018. Tickets for this event go on sale August 24, 2018, giving diners an opportunity to sample Canada’s Best New Restaurants all in one place. The winners will also be showcased on CanadasBestNewRestaurants.com and in the November issue of Air Canada enRoute magazine.

  • Air Canada Completes Inauguration of 25 New Non-Stop International, Transborder and Domestic Routes This Summer

    air-canada-b787-9.jpg

    • Five regional services launch today: Montreal to Windsor and London ON; Edmonton to Kelowna and Victoria; Calgary to Comox

    MONTREAL, July 2, 2018 /CNW Telbec/ – Air Canada today inaugurates five new non-stop regional services from Montreal to Windsor, Montreal to London ON, Edmonton to Kelowna, Edmonton and Victoria, Calgary and Comox, completing the successful launch of 25 new year-round and seasonal routes this summer.

    “We are very pleased to launch our newest domestic regional services today to offer customers more choice and convenience when travelling. The 25 international, transborder and domestic routes that we have strategically added this summer broaden and deepen our already expansive global network by adding new destinations and city pairings, and are consistent with company growth plans,” said Benjamin Smith, President, Airlines and Chief Operating Officer at Air Canada.

    The 25 new routes were inaugurated between May 1 and July 2, 2018 and include a combination of Air Canada mainline, Air Canada Rouge and Air Canada Express services:

    Departure City Destination Service
    Toronto Buenos Aires Mainline
    Toronto Shannon* Mainline
    Toronto Zagreb* Rouge
    Toronto Porto* Rouge
    Toronto Bucharest* Rouge
    Toronto Omaha Express
    Toronto Providence* Express
    Toronto Nanaimo* Rouge
    Toronto Kamloops* Rouge
    Montreal Tokyo Narita Mainline
    Montreal Dublin* Mainline
    Montreal Bucharest* Rouge
    Montreal Lisbon* Rouge
    Montreal Baltimore Express
    Montreal Pittsburgh Express
    Montreal Victoria* Rouge
    Montreal Windsor Express
    Montreal London, ON Express
    Vancouver Zurich* Mainline
    Vancouver Paris* Mainline
    Vancouver Sacramento Express
    Edmonton San Francisco Express
    Edmonton Kelowna Express
    Edmonton Victoria* Express
    Calgary Comox* Express

    *Indicates summer seasonal route
    Flights are timed to connect conveniently with Air Canada’s global network at major hubs, provide for Aeroplan accumulation and redemption, Star Alliance reciprocal benefits, and for eligible customers, priority check-in, Maple Leaf Lounge access where available, priority boarding and other benefits.

  • Vancouver Airport YVR announces $9.1 billion expansion – Updated

    YVR investing $9.1 billion into the airport under its 20-year blueprint

    Today, Vancouver International Airport (YVR) broke ground on a number of capital construction projects to enhance the airport experience and improve YVR’s competitive position as a world-class connecting hub. The projects are part of YVR’s multi-year expansion plans that will see the airport complete 75 major projects, totaling $9.1 billion over the next 20 years.

    Vancouver Airport Authority President and CEO Craig Richmond was joined by British Columbia Premier John Horgan; Ken Hardie, Member of Parliament for Fleetwood-Port Kells; and Fiona Famulak, President of the Vancouver Regional Construction Association to celebrate the groundbreaking of YVR’s construction projects. They include building one of the largest GeoExchange systems in Canada, significant terminal expansions, new parking options and improved vehicle rental facilities.

    YVR is one of the fastest-growing airports in North America. It welcomed a record 24.2 million passengers in 2017 and is forecasting 32 million passengers by 2022. About 327,000 tonnes of cargo are expected to move through the airport by 2020. These newest construction projects will improve the speed with which people and goods move through YVR, and provide passengers with a wide range of compelling offerings and amenities.

    YVR plays a significant role in the local, provincial and national economy—creating jobs and driving business activity. The airport supports 24,000 jobs on Sea Island and more than 100,000 jobs across British Columbia. YVR’s operations—together with tourism and cargo—contribute more than $16 billion in total economic output, $8.4 billion in GDP and $1.4 billion in government revenue across British Columbia. Each new flight through YVR creates hundreds of jobs and contributes millions of dollars in economic benefit to the province.

    The expansion projects will have significant economic and employment benefits in the region. By the end of 2018, construction activities at YVR will create nearly 2,500 full-time construction jobs on Sea Island and hundreds more off-site. Much of the work will be done in the province, offering a significant number of jobs for British Columbians.

    YVR’s multi-year expansion plans are made possible by YVR’s unique, not-for-profit operating model. YVR receives no government funding and all profits generated at YVR are reinvested back into the airport for the benefit of its customers, partners and communities.

    To learn more about YVR’s key projects that will enhance the airport experience, please visit yvr.ca/construction.

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