New Environmental Management Plan sets course for YVR to continue to reduce emissions, water use and waste while enhancing the Sea Island ecosystem

Richmond, B.C. | March 10, 2020– Today, the Vancouver Airport Authority is pleased to share its plan for Vancouver International Airport (YVR) to achieve four new sustainability targets. Among the targets outlined in the 2020 – 2024 Environmental Management Plan (EMP) is a commitment to become carbon neutral in 2020 and achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, while connecting British Columbia proudly to the world.

“Environmental stewardship is central to who we are and how we operate at YVR. As we work to advance our position as a world class hub airport, we are looking ahead with a heightened sense of responsibility to continue building a sustainable future for YVR,” said Marion Town, Director, Environment, Vancouver Airport Authority. “Our plan recognizes the importance of further reducing YVR’s environmental footprint and working together with our many business partners to support their climate action goals.”

YVR strives to be a leader in airport sustainability and develops an EMP every five years to outline its environmental priorities. Under its previous plan, YVR led a number of actions to reduce its environmental impact, successfully reducing emissions, water use and waste to landfill. YVR also invested in one of Canada’s largest GeoExchange plants to bolster its ability to continue to reduce carbon emissions and became the world’s first airport to receive Salmon-Safe certification.

YVR’s 2020 – 2024 EMP builds on the success of the previous plan and, in addition to carbon reduction, outlines clear, measurable targets to continue to conserve water, reduce waste and improve ecosystem health. Specifically, targets for YVR over the next five years are to:

• Become carbon neutral in 2020 and continue to reduce emissions to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050
• Improve water use efficiency across Sea Island by 50 per cent per passenger
• Divert 60 per cent of airport waste from landfill
• Continue to enhance and protect the ecosystem of Sea Island, including maintaining the airport’s Salmon-Safe certification

To learn more about YVR’s 2020-2024 EMP and view a full list of its environmental initiatives, as well as successes achieved under the previous plan, visit yvr.ca/environment.

Record breaking passenger numbers driven by increased air services as YVR embarks on $9.1 billion expansion program to keep pace

Richmond, B.C. | February 13, 2019–Today, Vancouver International Airport (YVR) released final passenger numbers for 2018, confirming another year of record-breaking growth. YVR welcomed more than 25.9 million passengers, a 7.3 per cent increase over 2017, reaching its 25 million passenger milestone two years ahead of forecast.

“This is an exciting time of incredible growth at YVR. We look forward to unveiling some of the projects under our current multi-billion-dollar construction program to address this growth and build the airport of the future,” said Craig Richmond, President & CEO, Vancouver Airport Authority. “We continue to work with our airline partners and entire airport community to position YVR as a world-class connecting hub, providing greater access for people and products to global destinations, all while driving economic benefits for our region.”

The airport’s passenger growth is fuelled by expanded services from its airline partners, including significant continued growth from Air Canada who has chosen YVR as its premier trans-Pacific hub. In 2018, the airline introduced new flights to 10 destinations, including Paris and Zurich, and increased service on five existing routes, including making their popular non-stop service to Delhi year-round. New services such as these are made possible by YVR’s rates and charges program, ConnectYVR. The program provides a highly competitive rate structure and includes rates lower than any other major airport in Canada and competing US airports.

YVR is on track to serve more than 29 million passengers in 2020, with projections indicating the airport will serve 32 million by 2022. To facilitate recent and projected growth, YVR is investing $9.1 billion in its expansion program, which includes 75 major capital improvement projects scheduled over the next 20 years. Once complete, the expansion will enhance the airport experience, improve the speed and ease of passenger and bag movements, and further YVR’s position as a leading international hub.

YVR’s multi-year expansion plans are made possible by its unique, not-for-profit operating model, which ensures 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 unique not-for-profit operation model, please click here.

Passenger Growth Highlights: January – December 2018

> 25.9 million passengers, a 7.3 per cent increase over the same period in 2017

> An 8.5 per cent increase in international traffic

> A 6.1 per cent increase in domestic traffic

> A 5.5 per cent increase in transborder (US) traffic

> YVR moved 338,000 tonnes of cargo, an 8.1 per cent increase from 2017

•  More than 12 million passengers voted on worldwide airport travel experiences

Richmond, British Columbia | March 26, 2014– Vancouver International Airport (YVR) was named #1 Airport in North America for the fifth consecutive year by Skytrax World Airport Awards in Barcelona, Spain on March 26, 2014. This exceptional honour marks only the second time in award history that any
airport has earned top ranking five years in a row. YVR also remains one of the world’s best airports, the only North American airport included in the global top 10.

Known informally in the travel industry as the Passenger Choice Awards, the Skytrax World Airport Awards are the global benchmark of airport excellence. Awards are based on millions of passenger
surveys conducted independently with stringent impartiality.

This year’s awards tallied the results of 12.85 million surveys completed by customers of 110 different nationalities at 410 airports worldwide. Surveys measured the travel experience across 39 airport service categories, from arrivals and check-in to security and border clearance processes, as well as shopping, service and dining options.

“To earn a fifth consecutive ranking as the top airport in North America as voted by passengers all over the world is truly a remarkable feat,” said Craig Richmond, President & CEO, Vancouver Airport Authority. “This award is about more than just YVR’s iconic art and architecture; it encompasses our superior customer care and efficient processes, our shopping and dining options and more. Ultimately, this award is a powerful testament to the commitment of the YVR community – 24,000 strong – to go beyond, every day.”

YVR will embark upon a celebration campaign to thank its employees, customers, airlines and business partners. Look for details about special events, contests and other activities in the coming weeks.