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Vancouver International Airport (YVR) has released its 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 and CEO of the 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 fueled 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 U.S. 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.
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 (U.S.) traffic; and
- YVR moved 338,000 tonnes of cargo, an 8.1 per cent increase from 2017.
