YVR Celebrates Record Passenger Growth with Air Canada

Air Canada represents 50 per cent of YVR passengers

RICHMOND, BC, Dec. 1, 2016 /CNW/ - Vancouver International Airport (YVR) celebrates a record-breaking year in passenger growth, welcoming over 18.8 million passengers between January and October—representing a year-over-year growth rate of 9.5 per cent, putting YVR on track to reach 22 million passengers in 2016. This increase is largely recognized in Air Canada's expansion of their transpacific hub out of YVR, representing approximately 50 per cent of passengers at YVR and serving over 55 destinations worldwide.

"Air Canada has been an incredible partner in increasing our passenger growth by continuously delivering new and exciting destinations for our customers," said YVR's President & CEO Craig Richmond. "I'd like to thank Air Canada for their commitment to growing their transpacific hub out of YVR and in turn supporting our vision to be a sustainable gateway hub between Asia and the Americas. We couldn't do this without their support."

Between January and October 2016, Air Canada reached a record high for capacity with 10.9 million seats – an increase of 12.0% over the same period in 2015.  The airline's international sector, which includes the Asia Pacific, Europe and Latin America, led the growth with a 22.6% increase.

In 2016, YVR introduced a new five-year airline rates and charges program, ConnectYVR, that provides a highly competitive rate structure and includes rates lower than any other major airport in Canada and competing US airports. This program, alongside YVR's world-class facility and convenient geographical location has aided the growth of Air Canada's successful transpacific hub.

Since 2015, Air Canada introduced eight new services to YVR: Osaka, Cancun, San Jose, San Diego, Chicago, Dublin, Brisbane and Delhi. This growth continues in 2017 with five new destinations scheduled to launch, including Taipei, Nagoya, Frankfurt, London Gatwick and Dallas.

- YVR - 

ABOUT VANCOUVER AIRPORT AUTHORITY
Vancouver Airport Authority is a community-based, not-for-profit organization that manages Vancouver International Airport (YVR). Canada's second busiest airport, YVR served more than 20.3 million passengers in 2015. Fifty-four airlines serve YVR, connecting people and businesses to more than 120 non-stop destinations worldwide. In 2016, YVR received CAPA Centre for Aviation's prestigious Airport of the Year Award and was voted Best Airport in North America for the seventh consecutive year in the Skytrax World Airport Awards. Vancouver Airport Authority is a dedicated community partner and in 2015 donated more than $900,000 to local organizations. We are committed to creating an airport that British Columbia can be proud of: a premier global gateway, local economic generator and community contributor. For more information, please visit www.yvr.ca.

SOURCE Vancouver Airport Authority

YVR Media Relations, [email protected], 604.880.9815, @yvrairport