Aerial photo of Haneda Airport, one of the two primary airports that serve Japan’s Greater Tokyo area.
The final numbers are in for 2013 and they show a record year for passenger travel at YVR.
Canada’s second-largest airport, YVR, welcomed 17.97-million passengers last year, 2.1 per cent more than in 2012.
For those inclined to round up, that’s practically 18 million, but not quite. In fact, that’s one very busy day away from 18 million since it is not uncommon to see 30,000 inbound and 30,000 outbound passengers on a peak day in August or December.
There are also a couple of sub-stories in that 17.97-million number.
YVR saw record domestic passenger numbers, thanks to more regional service on WestJet Encore and Air Canada.
In addition, a record numbers of passengers travelling to the Asia Pacific region were processed with growth to Mainland China up 19.8 per cent alone.
YVR continues to be in growth mode, which is as exciting for the airport’s employees as it is for the travellers who helped the airport achieve this milestone.
New routes, services and aircraft that will be seen throughout 2014 include:
· The first arrival of a Boeing 787 Dreamliner on February 3, operated by Japan Airlines
· More Dreamliners operated by other airlines in the next few months
· Launch of daily service to Tokyo’s Haneda airport, operated by All Nippon Airways
· Lufthansa to run its very popular Munich route for the entire summer, beginning March 30
· Inaugural twice-weekly YVR-Reykjavik service by Icelandair, starting May 13/14
· United Airlines to operate daily service to Washington, D.C. throughout the summer
· EVA Air adding an additional weekly flight to Taipei, Taiwan
· Air Canada rouge—the carrier’s value service—expected to operate flights to popular U.S. destinations beginning this summer.
