2003-12_skytalk

Best Wishes and a Happy and Prosperous New Year to All.

F R E E DECEMBER 2003 • Your Airport Community Newspaper – Vancouver International Airport

WestEx Offers New Vancouver-Tofino Service W

estern Express Air Lines Inc. (WestEx) has started a new six-days-a-week passenger service (excluding Saturday) between Tofino/Ucluelet and Vancouver International Airport’s South Terminal.

“Our team identified Tofino/Ucluelet as a growing, under-served air travel market,” said Michael Bell, president of

WestEx. “Therefore, WestEx is taking this opportunity to launch a quality, professional and solid value scheduled service for this exciting region.

“Our 125 employees are experienced in serving extremely demanding customers, and we will bring this passion for excellence to this marketplace.”

Both a seven-seat Navajo and

Air Canada’s Newest Shining Star

ir Canada has unveiled a Boeing 767 aircraft sporting a two-by-27metre logo of Star Alliance, the world’s largest air transportation network that extends Air Canada’s network to a total of 680 airports in 127 countries and offers Aeroplan members reciprocal benefits with 14 of the world’s leading airlines.

To create this flying billboard, 29 Air Canada technicians used 200 litres of paint during the normal course of scheduled maintenance.

Several more Air Canada aircraft, including an Airbus A340 operated on international routes, will be repainted in Star Alliance livery in the coming months.

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(L. to r.) The WestEx management team of Dave Frank, director of business development, Glenn Dickinson, manager of passenger and charter sales, David Oliver, CEO, and Mike Bell, president and CEO, at Tofino airport after WestEx’s inaugural flight from Vancouver.

16-passenger Metro pressurized aircraft have been allocated to this route, and surface transportation has been arranged as a further back-up.

“I’m extremely pleased with the response and support that Glenn

Dickinson, our manager of passenger and charter sales, is receiving from the community,” said Dave Frank, director of business development for WestEx. “We look forward to learning exactly what Tofino’s SEE WESTEX PAGE 7

Vote for Your Favourite Tree And Win a Trip from Air Canada

or the past five years, the Vancouver International Airport (YVR) Merchants and the Vancouver International Airport Authority (YVRAA) have worked together to help support the CKNW Orphans’ Fund by hosting Children’s Wishes Take Flight – A Holiday Celebration at YVR. The event features an annual children’s Christmas tree-dec-

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See VOTE FOR CHRISTMAS TREE, page 2

Flying During the Holidays?

Tips to Help You on Your Way

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f you haven’t travelled by air recently, you may be unaware of the list of what you can and cannot take with you as carry-on items, or the list may have changed since your last trip.

For example, corkscrews, all knives, toy weapons and many pieces of sporting equip-

By Marcia Strang

ment cannot be taken through passenger screening as carry-on baggage. Also, many common items may be confiscated at passenger screening points such as matches, lighters, and open bottles of alcohol.

See HOLIDAY FLYING TIPS page 2

Cell Phone Rentals Call * YVR is the international aeronautical designation for Vancouver International Airport.

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Vote for Christmas Tree, Continued from page 1

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orating contest.

Companies including YVRAA suppliers, local businesses, concessionaires, airlines, and others, sponsor Christmas trees that are displayed throughout the International Terminal Building until Jan. 5. Elementary schoolchildren (Grades 1-4) from across the Lower Mainland are sent an invitation to make Christmas ornaments at school and bring them to the airport for a special tree-decorating day.

The public is asked to vote on its favourite Christmas tree by donation. Donation boxes and ballot boxes are located at the customer information counter in the International Terminal Building; ballot forms also are attached to the signs underneath each tree.

First, second and third place winners will be announced on Jan.12, 2004.

The Merchants at YVR encourage

travellers to come to the airport early to enjoy the beautiful display of trees and vote on their favourite tree in support of the CKNW Orphans’ Fund.

The names of people who vote on their favourite tree by donation are automatically entered in a draw to win airfare for two to any Air Canada destination in North America, compliments of Air Canada.

Holiday Flying Tips, Before leaving home, contact your airline to check if your flight is still scheduled on time, and always arrive a little earlier than you normally would for check-in when travelling through the Christmas holidays.

If you are carrying Christmas presents in your carry-on luggage, ensure they are unwrapped in case further inspection is required at the screening point. New security equipment may cause damage to film contained in checked luggage. All rolls of film, whether exposed or not, should be in carry-on luggage. Film under 800 ASA/ISO will not be damaged by the x-ray equipment used to screen carry-on luggage. You can request a hand-search if you have concerns.

Before you travel, make sure that

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you check with your airline, and visit www.tc.gc.ca, the Transport Canada Web site that outlines what you can and cannot take with you on your flight. Once into the Web site click on the airplane photo for information for air travel passengers.

The Canadian Air Transport Security Authority (CATSA), the organization responsible for passenger screening, also has a Web site (www.catsa-acsta.gc.ca) where additional information is available.

Anyone planning travel into the United States should review the information found on the Transportation Security Administration of the United States Web site at www. tsa.dot.gov/public/index.jsp, which lists restrictions when travelling through the USA.

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Airport Watch Program Used to Combat Illegal Aviation Activity n recent years there has been a dramatic increase in the use of civil aircraft to illegally import and export drugs and other contraband.

Due to their relative small size and versatility, these aircraft can be very difficult for law enforcement to intercept.

Interdicting smugglers is a difficult task, with no easy solution, but with a concerted effort by police and the cooperation of the aviation community, the incidence of illegal importation / exportation in B.C. can be reduced.

The success of actions taken in the Constable Ian Thornton, sub-coordinator of YVR’s southern U.S. has forced Airport Watch Program. smugglers’ to use air routes farther North.

A priority has been placed on havUnfortunately, Canada is relatively easy to enter or exit by air and it is esti- ing the support and assistance of the mated that there are more than 650 general aviation community through airstrips in B.C., most with road access. a program called Airport Watch. By To combat this criminal activity, establishing close liaisons with the the RCMP, the Department of aviation community, suspicious activNational Defence and Canada ity can be reported for investigation Customs and Revenue Agency by the appropriate agency.

(CCRA) joined forces to explore new Similar to the Neighbourhood ways to improve existing procedures Watch Program, the purpose of the and implement new ones.

Airport Watch Program is to detect persons or aircraft involved in the transport of contraband, or involved in terrorist activity.

This program has recently been initiated at Vancouver International Airport by the RCMP Drug Enforcement Branch in your neighbourhood and, according to provincial program coordinator, Constable Terrance Trytten, • House Insurance adds to the current level of security at • Commercial Insurance YVR by specifically targeting domestic • Life Insurance traffic and general aviation aircraft and • Travel Insurance pilots.

Both Air Canada and BCIT are active partners in the Program.

The Airport Watch Program encourages the public and members Insurance Services of the aviation community to report (1988) Ltd. any suspicious or illegal activity involving aircraft or pilots by calling Richmond the nearest RCMP detachment, police department or the Coastal Airport Watch Program toll-free phone number at 1 888 855-6655.

At YVR, the sub-coordinator for the #165-9020 Capstan Way, Richmond program, Constable Ian Thornton, can (Capstan Way & Garden City) be reached at (604) 278-1212.

Tel: 604-606-8100 Further information can be obtained

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PRESIDENT’S CORNER

By LARRY BERG, President and Chief Executive Officer Accolades Speak to Teamwork and Dedication All of us at the Airport Authority and YVR work hard to ensure travellers and airport visitors receive excellent customer service from the moment they walk through our doors. We set high standards for ourselves, and we aren’t afraid of measuring our airport and performance against those of our peers. This month, I would like to share with you some of our achievements from 2003.

For those of us in the airport business, the global passenger survey conducted each year by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) is our Academy Awards.

Airports around the world are rated by international passengers in a number of customer service categories and ranked accordingly. We were both honoured and delighted this year when YVR was ranked by passengers as the No. 1 airport in North America, and No. 8 in the world. This is the fifth consecutive year that YVR has rated among the world’s top 10 airports, and we are the only Canadian airport in the top 10.

YVR’s customer service performance was affirmed in other surveys this year. In a global survey of international passengers by Skytrax Research, YVR was again rated the best airport in North America and No. 8 in the world. YVR was the only Canadian airport in the top 10 here, also. And in Condé Nast Traveller magazine’s annual Readers’ Choice Awards, YVR was rated the No. 3 airport in the world. YVR was the only North American airport in the top 10.

One reason we rate high is the personal touch we provide in our customer service efforts, such as through our Green Coat volunteers. For more than a decade now, they have been providing assistance and directions to airport visitors, and this autumn, the Parliament of Canada bestowed a certificate of appreciation on them for their “outstanding contributions to the community.” It was the second such honour from Ottawa. Our Green Coats do a wonderful job and this certificate was certainly well deserved.

The retail program we have developed at YVR is another big reason why the travelling public continues to rank this airport among the world’s best. Earlier this year, Airports

Council International–North America (an industry association that represents airports) named our Gateway Valet & Concierge the Most Innovative Concession, and our International Terminal Food and Beverage Program earned a second place award in the Best Food and Beverage Program category. The B.C. Shopping Centre Association also honoured YVR with a first place award in its inaugural Awards of Excellence program.

In Airports Council International—North America’s annual marketing and communications contest, the Airport Authority won four awards, including first place for a promotional CD Rom featuring YVR and Vancouver, second place for the Media Guide filled with facts and figures about YVR, third place for a promotional YVR calendar and third place for our innovative “Food on the Fly” marketing campaign.

Excellence in safety, security and environmental performance is the No. 1 priority of the Airport Authority, and our efforts in these areas were also recognized in 2003. We received first place at the annual British Columbia Canadian Society of Safety Engineering awards for organizations with 51 to 500 employees. At the annual Emergency Preparedness Conference in Vancouver, the Airport Authority received an Award of Excellence for the monthly “tabletop” emergency response exercise program we conduct with other airport agencies and companies. And, the BC Aviation Council conferred its inaugural Acres International Environment Award on the Airport Authority in recognition of our environmental programs.

From safety to communications to customer service to environmental stewardship, YVR is a recognized leader in all areas of our business. This speaks to the teamwork and dedication of each individual and organization at YVR. ••• On behalf of all of us at the Airport Authority, I extend my best wishes to you, your family and friends for a safe and happy holiday season.

Your Airport Community Newspaper DECEMBER 2003 ISSUE • VOL. 11 • NO. 2 YVR SKYTALK, the official newspaper of the Vancouver International Airport, is published monthly by Westco Marketing Ltd. for the more than 26,000 people who make up the airport community at YVR. No portion of this publication may be reproduced in whole or part without the written permission of the publisher.

Publisher: Associate Publisher: Editorial Liaison: Editorial Board:

Contributing Writers: Creative / Production: Photography:

Patrick Stewart Joan Stewart Ralph Eastman John Korenic, Heather Madden-Johns, Ralph Eastman,Ali Hounsell, Kim Abrams, Erin Sills Arnold Klappe, Phil Melnychuk, Jim Jorgenson James Martin Jim Jorgenson

VANCOUVER OFFICE: Suite 306 - 5400 Airport Road South Richmond, BC V7B 1B4 Tel (604) 736-6754 • Fax: (604) 736-6750 Email: jstewart@westerndriver.com Printed on Recycled Stock using vegetable based inks Please recycle this product.

www.yvr.ca/news/skytalk

ASSOCIATION OF AIRPORT PUBLICATIONS P.O. Agreement #1676261

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China Airlines Recruits Vancouver Personnel C hina Airlines intends to recruit 250-300 pilots over the next three years to pilot new aircraft on order and to replace the anticipated loss of approximately 50 pilots, who are due to retire over the next two years.

Earlier this month, recruitment personnel were in Vancouver interviewing pilots to fly the airline’s B747-400 and A340/300 aircraft.

According to Michael Lo, general manager of China Airlines Canadian branch, there is no limit to the number of pilots the airline will hire from North America — the airline currently employs pilots from more than 40 countries.

For captains, the airline is looking at candidates below age 45 with a

minimum of 7,000 making it one of the industry’s youngest flight hours. For cofleets. pilots, the age will be To provide the best kept as young as possipossible service, China ble for succession purAirlines has signed poses. interline agreements Flight personnel with more than 100 airhired may not necessarilines around the world, ly be based in included are major airVancouver; however, the airline will be intro- How-Min (Michael) Lo, lines in mainland ducing “an extended general manager China China, making possible stay for expatriate Airlines Canada, is based “one ticket” check-in staff,” which will allow in Vancouver at for passengers travela layover of up to eight (604) 682-6153. ling from Taiwan to days. mainland China, and China Airlines has grown rapidly vice versa. since its launch in 1959 with just two This month’s Vancouver visit amphibious airplanes. Today its fleet marks the third foreign recruitment has grown to include 80 aircraft, the campaign, after visits earlier this year majority of them newly purchased, to Belgium and Australia.

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Tech Toys for Travellers on the Go

By Dave Chalk o matter what the season, there is always a good excuse to travel, whether it is around the corner or around the world. Fortunately, thanks to technology, traveling can be easier and more convenient than ever before.

One technology to turn to is called the Global Positioning System (GPS).

GPS is a network of satellites that orbit around the earth and make it possible to precisely identify locations by measuring the distance from the satellites. For as little as a couple hundred dollars, you can now purchase a lightweight handheld GPS unit specially designed for people who enjoy traveling, particularly outdoors or on the road. One handheld unit that I have found particularly useful is the new Geko 201 from Garmin.

The Geko 201 is small, lightweight, waterproof and quite rugged.

The unit fits in the palm of your hand and offers numerous features. First, you can record specific locations (called waypoints) such as your car, or campground, and the unit then tells you how to get back to that location and details how long it will take to get there.

Another great feature is the PanTrack™ Page. This allows you to go back along the travelled path and choose different locations to mark. In turn, you can decide on and save the start and finish points of the track log, as opposed to always start-

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ing from your current location. This is a great feature if you want to do a little exploring in an area you are not familiar with. The unit even draws a map while you walk or drive.

And if you’re thinking of taking a fun road trip, the Internet can also be a huge help. Fortunately, there are now several sites that can give you detailed driving directions and maps that ultimately will save you time and money.

For one, Mapquest, www. mapquest.com, allows you to find millions of locations worldwide and obtain detailed maps, point-to-point driving directions and get live traffic updates. Its Road Trip planner feature is also a great way to start to organize your trip, by giving you listings of attractions to see on the way.

Mapblast, www.mapblast.com, also offers a similar service but adds Brandfinder, a tool that lets you to find your favorite companies no matter where you are going. This includes Shell gas stations, McDonald’s restaurants and Starbucks coffee bars, so if ever you need a double-tall latté or Big Mac you know exactly where to turn. If you own a PDA, you can even download maps and directions for use on the go.

This is just a small sample of the travel toys available. Each of these technical solutions promises to make your next trip a little less stressful and make your experience a little more rewarding. Just remember, technology can bring you closer to your travel plans, but nothing beats the experience of being there in person.

Dave Chalk is the host of Dave Chalk Connected Live, a live national technology program. Chalk Media also produces in-flight programming, including Dave Chalk Connected, produced for Air Canada, and Dave Chalk Tech Talk, produced for Delta Airlines. Each show is presented in a format that takes an easy-to-understand and entertaining look at technology.

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Airlines Awarded Scheduled Caribbean and Mexican Routes ransport Minister David Collenette has announced the designation of Air Transat, Skyservice Airlines and HMY Airways to operate scheduled international air services between Canada and the Dominican Republic.

In addition, Air Transat, HMY Airways and Zoom Airlines Inc. were given designations to operate scheduled air services between Canada and Mexico.

“These designations give Canadians greater choice when travelling between Canada, the Dominican Republic, and Mexico,” said Collenette.

Air Transat Under the new designations, Air Transat proposes to offer scheduled services to the Dominican Republic, Puerto Vallarta and Cancun from Vancouver.

HMY Airways Vancouver-based HMY Airways plans to offer flights from Vancouver to Mazatlan and Zihuatanejo.

Skyservice Skyservice Airlines will offer sched-

Check-In/Customer Service Agents At YVR FREE INFORMATION SESSION ➺ 13 Jan. 7 p.m. McNeill Sec. School, Richmond ➺ 14 Jan. 7 p.m. Burnaby Central High School information call: Burnaby Cont. Ed. At 604 664 8888 Richmond Cont. Ed. At 604 668 6123

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uled services to the Dominican Republic from Vancouver and other airports.

Under the provisions of Canada’s international air transportation policy,

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all Canadian air carriers may apply to the Minister for designation to operate scheduled international air services.

(604) 273-3766 Cell: (604) 868-5875 Tel:

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Annual Awards Luncheon for Exceptional Customer Service

YVR Has Canada’s Largest Airport Wi-Fi Hotspot ancouver International Airport Authority and Telus Mobility have launched the most comprehensive Wi-Fi Hotspot initiative at a Canadian airport, offering travellers at YVR fast and secure wireless Internet access throughout the facility’s terminals, from check-in right through to departure gates.

The service includes free access to on-line passenger services through the Airport Authority’s Web site – www.yvr.ca – including up-to-theminute flight arrival and departure information, terminal maps and a complete listing of restaurants, shops and other services.

“As a leader in customer service innovation, YVR is delighted to partner with Telus Mobility to provide passengers with the most extensive wireless Internet access of any airport in Canada,” said Kevin Molloy, the Airport Authority’s vice president, information technology. “Public Internet access and on-line passenger services are available from the minute you enter the terminal right through to the boarding gate, taking customer service at YVR to a whole new level.”

Telus Mobility Wi-Fi Hotspots are public Internet access zones offering high-speed mobile access to the Internet and other data networks. Telus Mobility

V Pictured right – the winners of this year’s fifth annual Customer Service Excellence Program Awards Luncheon to recognize employees who provided exceptional customer service at YVR. arlier this month, the Vancouver International Airport Authority and YVR Merchants held their fifth annual Customer Service Excellence Program Awards Luncheon at the Fairmont Vancouver Airport.

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Based on the survey results of the Merchants’ mystery shopping program, concession employees were recognized for providing exceptional customer service.

Numerous prizes were given, but

Grand Prize Winner, Robert Chew from Super, Natural BC Visitor Info Centre. the Grand Prize $2,500 Travel Voucher was won by Robert Chew from Super, Natural British Columbia Visitor Info Centre.

and its partner Spotnik Mobile have begun an aggressive national rollout of public Wi-Fi Hotspots, acquiring the rights to provide public Wi-Fi access in sites that include transportation facilities, hotels, office complexes, food-service establishments and other high-traffic locations.

“The YVR deployment is by far the largest and most comprehensive Hotspot deployment in a Canadian airport to date,” said Robert Blumenthal, Telus Mobility’s vice president of products and services.

“It’s also further evidence that Telus Mobility will be a major player in WiFi. Location-based Hotspots are a natural, value-added complement to our national 1X mobile computing service, and underline that Telus Mobility will continue to take the lead in the development of mobile data services, whatever their form.”

Wi-Fi, also known as 802.11 wireless networking, delivers data at speeds up to 11 Megabits per second over unlicensed frequencies between networks equipped with Wi-Fi transceivers and Wi-Fi capable computing products such as laptop PCs or PDAs (personal digital assistants).

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needs are and then supporting them to the best of our ability.”

One-way pricing for WestEx’s new 30-minute Vancouver-to-Tofino route is $136, including all taxes, fees and surcharges. Schedule for the service is Vancouver departures at 1:15 p.m., Monday-Friday, and Sunday, arriving Tofino at 1:45 p.m.

Departures from Tofino at 2:30 p.m.

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Monday-Friday, and Sunday, arriving Vancouver at 3:00 p.m.

Now in its 20th year, WestEx operates 15 aircraft (making it the second largest airline headquartered at YVR), is the turboprop and jet operator for the British Columbia Air Ambulance Service, and operates scheduled air cargo service into seven communities.

“Western Express is a recognized leader in air ambulance, cargo and passenger charter operations,” said David Oliver, CEO of WestEx. “We will apply all our experience and resources towards making this scheduled passenger service succeed where others have failed.” For booking information, visit www.westex.ca.

Photos: Jim Jorgenson

WestEx Airlines,

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WestEx will operate a 16-seater pressurized SA-227 Metro aircraft, flying at 10,000 feet on the 30minute Vancouver-Tofino route.

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New Aircraft Hangars For Sale

Completed Hangar Complex at Chilliwack Airport.

Various unit sizes still available. T Hangars & Cubes.

Cube Hangars at Pitt Meadows Airport.

Expect completion in January 2004. 3,610 square feet per unit.

Future developments at Thun Field Airport, Puyallup, WA and Kelowna International Airport.

Please contact Aero Hangars (2001) Inc. at 250-752-6246 for more information.

Visit our Web site at

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Nanaimo Airport

Smithers Regional Airport

The Gateway to Vancouver Island Smithers Regional Airport is situated in the Bulkley Valley of northern British Columbia along Yellowhead Highway 16, approximately half way between the cities of Prince Rupert and Prince George.

Smithers is a member municipality of the Bulkley Nechako Regional District.

The Smithers Regional Airport serves nearby communities of Telkwa, Houston, Hazeltons, Kispiox Valley, Stewart, Granisle, Moricetown, Burns Lake and rural areas in between. The Airport has a catchment area of 45,000 people and is considered to be a regional service centre for the entire Bulkley Valley and offers a great variety of amenities.

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ocated centrally on scenic Vancouver Island, the Nanaimo Airport is a thriving and modern air transportation gateway that offers an extensive range of amenities to the travelling public and aviation industry.

■ We have office space and counter space for airlines ■ We’re a designated Canadian port of entry so you can do direct stateside business ■ We have airside and groundside land available ■ We’re a not-for-profit entity, ready to work with you and your aspirations to achieve mutual success.

Contact

David Hunter, General Manager Tel:(250) 245-4191 Fax:(250) 245-4308 E-mail:dhunter@nanaimo-airport.com

The airport is serviced by Hawkair and Air Canada who offer flights to Vancouver daily.

Central Mountain Air offers flights to Terrace, Prince George, Kelowna, Kamloops and Abbotsford and Northern Thunderbird offers flights to Terrace and Dease Lake.

There are also two helicopters companies, a tanker base for the B.C. Fire Service, a drilling, a construction, and a mining company on the airport premises.

Nanaimo Airport Commission PO Box 149, Cassidy, B.C. V0R 1H0 www.nanaimo-airport.com For leasing information call 250-847-3664 during office hours.

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t-shirts, underwear, greeting cards, stickers, etc

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Make-A-Wish Partners With Flight Centre

First ‘Wish’ Child Off To New York arlier this month, Flight Centre North America and the Make-AWish Foundation of BC/Yukon announced their new partnership at a special presentation at Vancouver International Airport. The partnership, dubbed the “Wishes Take Flight” program, will mean a donation by Flight Centre of six travel packages for ‘wish’ families over the next year, including airfare, accommodation and ground transportation.

At the presentation, Andrea Slingsby, president of Flight Centre North America, presented a cheque for $30,000 to Ross Hetherington, executive director of the Make-AWish BC/Yukon Chapter.

“We are extremely pleased and proud to be involved with the MakeA-Wish Foundation,” said Slingsby.

“It is absolutely wonderful to know that our partnership is going to positively affect so many deserving children and their families.”

The announcement and cheque presentation coincided with the sendoff of the first family to have their wish granted. Kirby Emerson, a 16year-old battling cancer, flew to New

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York with her mother and two cousins to attend a live taping of Saturday Night Live. The B.C. and New York Make-A-Wish chapters added some “wish enhancements” to Kirby’s request, making arrangements for her to be part of the famous Christmas tree-lighting festivities at Rockefeller Centre, where she attended a special NBC party to watch the holiday event. In addition, Emerson was treated to tickets to The Lion King and visits to the Empire State Building and the Statue of Liberty.

Headquartered in Vancouver with support from corporate regional offices in Toronto and Los Angeles, Flight Centre North America is a leading retailer of travel products and services for the leisure and corporate markets. Currently, Flight Centre has over 150 shops and businesses with over 600 staff across North America with locations in Vancouver, Victoria, Edmonton, Calgary, Toronto, Ottawa, Halifax, Los Angeles and Chicago.

The Make-A-Wish Foundation is the largest wish-granting organization in the world. Since the organization’s inception in 1980, Make-A-Wish has helped make more than 110,000 wish-

Foreground (left to right) Kirby Emerson prior to taking her flight to New York, with Andrea Slingsby, president Flight Centre North American, who presented a cheque for $30,000 to Ross Hetherington, executive director Make-A-Wish Foundation. es come true for children between the ages of three and 17 with life-threatening illnesses. Make-A-Wish finances its work through individual contributions, corporate donations,

third-party fundraisers, foundation grants and planned gifts, and relies on in-kind contributions to lessen the cost of goods and services. www.makeawish.ca.

Northern Hawk Aviation Begins Service to Salmon Arm and Vernon .C.-based Northern Hawk Aviation has begun scheduled flights from Vancouver International Airport’s South Terminal to Salmon Arm and Vernon using Beech King Air 100 aircraft.

“We are ecstatic at the bookings we have received thus far, especially on the Vernon route,” said Mark Kluge, president Northern Hawk Aviation.

In addition, the airline has started scheduled service between Port

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Hardy and Vancouver as well as Port Hardy and Bella Bella.

“Up until recently, we had only been making a technical [fuel] stop in Port Hardy on our Vancouver to Bella Bella flights,” said Kluge.

“Now the residents of Port Hardy, too, can enjoy the benefits of affordable air travel.”

In order to accommodate increased demand, Northern Hawk has added a number of extra sections on all of their routes over the Christmas Season.

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!

Did you know that the housing market is so hot that even Santa Claus is looking for a new home?

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Fly safely for the holiday season!

Holiday Hours: Mon –Sat 10 – 6 Sun 10 – 5 Closed Dec 25 & 26 Jan 1.

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See you all in the New Year! Please remember not to drink & drive.

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he message for the season is to keep your family and friends safe. Remember to protect your investment, keep a watchful eye on the lights that decorate your home for this fine season.

Sutton Group Group-Seafair Realty

Sharon Lanser

Cell: (604) 961-3907 Bus: (604) 273-3155 E-mail: slanser@sutton.com

reflection Discovering the True Meaning of Christmas

By Tom Zeiser viation is not just about flying.

It’s also about experiences and learning. As a veteran pilot, the most interesting time of my career was as an aerial photo pilot.

The aerial photo assignment task was simple. Survey the Bay of Bengal at low tide from India to what was then called Burma. The information would be used to determine where to plant mangrove trees. The vegetation would anchor the sand and eventually form islands. Over time, these new islands would grow and become suitable for planting crops.

Along with colleagues Ron Peters and Bryce Andrews, I landed our Cessna 441 Conquest in Dacca on Dec. 15, 1981 – our home for the next six weeks. At the time, the idea of spending Christmas on the opposite side of the globe, away from our families, was not the easiest pill to swallow.

On Christmas Eve, it was business as usual in Bangladesh —

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except for the sanctuary of our hotel, the Intercontinental, where it was Christmas Eve. The lobby was decorated with streamers, garlands and a giant Christmas tree that occupied a corner in the lobby. Yes! Now it felt like home.

Together, we decided to make this a special evening by enjoying a lavish meal in the hotel dining room. A local celebrity playing a sitar set the mood. The wine flowed, we toasted ourselves, the job, and our families back home — life was good. The multi-course meal was spectacular; we ate and drank until we could not handle another bite.

Then it hit us.

In 1981, Bangladesh was the third poorest country in the world. How dare we enjoy such opulence, when a few yards from our five-star hotel people were dying of malnutrition and hunger? The table became silent as an intense feeling of guilt swept through each of us.

The celebration ended and we adjourned to our individual rooms for silent reflection and contempla-

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Planning a Caribbean Trip?

tion. The realization of how lucky and blessed we were became clear that Christmas Eve. Though we knew that the survey project we were involved in would ultimately employ and feed millions, it gave us little consolation that evening.

That experience had a profound impact on me, forever changing my attitude to, and definition of, Christmas. Now I truly believe that Christmas is indeed a time for giving. The lesson I learned is that by giving back to the community, or to the less fortunate, the result is a tremendous feeling of self-satisfaction.

The old cliché is true: that whenever or whatever you give, you receive tenfold in return.

Today, I look back at the Bangladesh project and know that a dyke has been built, the land mass has increased and crops are grown in an area that was once covered by the sea.

So, during the next few weeks See MEANING OF CHRISTMAS, Continued on page 11

CTO Web site is a Valuable Resource s the official body for promoting and developing tourism throughout the Caribbean, the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) encourages Canadians to take advantage of its Web site and literature when planning their next vacation.

Turks and Caicos Islands—Grace Bay Beach CTO’s membership is on the north-east coast of Providenciales drawn from destination coun- stretches over several miles and is considered tries and private companies, to be one of the best beaches of the entire such as airlines, hotels, cruise Caribbean. operators and travel agencies, and much, much more, the CTO and which are involved in providing holiits Web site is the best source for all days and vacations in the region. that is Caribbean.”

“In the same way Canadians The CTO and its various chapters approach the CAA before going on a are set up around the world to proroad trip, the CTO and its Web site is mote travel to the Caribbean. The a valuable resource when planning a organization works to encourage susholiday to any of the 32 countries,” tainable tourism that is sensitive to said CTO manager Andrew Parris. the economic, social and cultural “With travel deals, a calendar of interest of the Caribbean people. events and information covering Visit their Web site at www.doitAfrican and Asian heritage, sustaincaribbean.com before planning your able tourism, diving, eating out, next Caribbean trip. accommodations, eco-tourism, golf

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Children’s Wishes Take Flight – A Holiday Celebration at YVR Help support the CKNW Orphans’ Fund by voting on your favourite Christmas tree by donation. Thirty elementary school classes from Greater Vancouver have put their artistic talents to work – now you become the judge! Trees are on display on the columns lining the International Terminal for the entire month of December. Entry forms are available at the Customer Information Counters and underneath each decorated tree. All entry forms are automatically entered in a draw to win a trip for 2 to any Air Canada destination in North America.

Some restrictions may apply. Limit one entry form per person. Contest ends January 5th, 2004. Winner will be announced on January 12th, 2004.

A Special Thank-You to our Christmas Tree & Prize Sponsors ❄ ❄ ❄ ❄ ❄ ❄ ❄ ❄ ❄ ❄ ❄ ❄ ❄

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www.yvr.ca

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Historic PWA Movies Now Available on DVD I n mid-December, long-lost historic movies produced for Pacific Western Airlines (PWA) in the 1960s and early 1970s, will be released in a limited edition two-hour DVD by AirlineHobby.com.

From the early 1960s through the mid-‘70s, Denny Ranson (now retired) produced several 16mm period films for PWA, all of which have been digitally re-mastered on the DVD. The films look back to the ‘nifty’ sixties, when PWA’s 707s flew IT charters to points abroad, while back home out West, the first 737s estab-

lished PWA as one of North America’s first regional “jet” airlines.

PWA’s DC-6 Edmonton-Calgary shuttle and the CV-640 regional B.C. services are examined in the films.

While PWA’s Hercules freighter operations used up North during the McKenzie Valley oil boom are extensively featured.

The films include lots of vintage colour and PWA aircraft footage not seen in 30-plus years, including “long-lost” air-to-air footage of PWA 707-138Bs, Hercs, and PWA white scheme 737s. Vintage colour footage of PWA C-46, Anson, York (air-to-

air), Beaver, DC-4 and DC-6 will bring back memories for those who started their airline careers with PWA during the golden era of the 1960s.

A measure of 1960s IT travel destinations, coupled with Western Canadian tourism and industry development of the era, help capture the early days and history of one of Canada’s great airlines.

The DVD is available exclusively by mail order through AirlineHobby.com at 604.730.2666, or visit www.AirlineHobby.com.

Holiday Shopping on the Fly at YVR Pacific Western Airlines: A Visual History 1963 - 1975 The Movies of Denny Ranson LIMITED EDITION DVD (running time 128 minutes)

DVD COST BC Residents: $24.95 + $1 .87 PST (BC residents) + $1.75 GST + $3 SH = $31.57

DVD COST non-BC Residents: $24.95 + $1.75 GST + $3 SH = $29.70 Available by mail order only.

Make checks and money order payable to “Henry Tenby” and mail to:

AirlineHobby.com / Henry Tenby 1000 - 5220 Dunbar Street, Vancouver, BC V6N 1V9 TEL 604.730.2666 / 604.737.9996 VISA & MC orders - fax credit card details to FAX 604.737.9928

he Vancouver International Airport Merchants are offering travellers and visitors to the airport a lastchance shopping alternative for the holiday season. From unique gift ideas to a boxing week “runway” sale, holiday shopping is taking off at YVR. “We recognize that the holiday season is a busy time for everyone,” says Christopher Gilliland, manager retail sales and service programs. “At YVR, we want to make holiday gift buying easy, so we encourage people to come early, get checked-in and finish their shopping here at the airport while waiting for their flight to depart.”

With over 140 shops, services and restaurants, YVR offers a wide variety of shopping options both before and after security, ranging from quality inexpensive items to high-end products, gift certificates, hand-made keepsakes and First Nations art.

“In addition to the vast shopping choices, not all people are aware that

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Planning is Key Whether you are doing a flight plan, a maintenance plan, or a service plan, you know the importance of planning. So call an investment professional to review your mutual fund investment portfolio. We can show you how mutual funds can help you reach your goals for retirement planning, estate planning, and education planning. Call Peter Kutney today at 604-438-1603.

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YVR has popular brand-name stores such as The Body Shop, Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory, Bentley’s Leather, Tie Rack, Roots (post-security) and Northern Reflections (post-security) offering their merchandise at street-level prices, meaning that the customer pays the same here at the airport that they would in downtown Vancouver,” said Gilliland.

“Even if you’re not boarding a plane over the holidays, we invite people to share in the More to Explore experience at YVR. You don’t have to be a passenger to take advantage of the great dining and shopping available at the airport.”

Shoppers who spend $50 or more (single receipt) at YVR will receive five YVR Bucks to spend at any YVR shop, service or restaurant. In addition, shoppers can enjoy further savings at the annual boxing week “runway” sale starting early from December 23 through January 5.

Travellers loaded down with gifts can conveniently mail holiday parcels at Canada Post located just inside 7Eleven on Level one of the Domestic Terminal Building before taking flight. YVR reminds travellers to not wrap gifts, as they may be opened at the security screening points.

Some unique gift ideas from stores found at YVR include: Great Canadian Chefs Cookbooks for $18.99 and up, hand-painted wine and martini glasses for $17.99 and up or collectibles quarry stone animals for $4.49 and up, all from B.C. & Beyond; a velvet evening shoulder bag embroidery design by Clifton Fred for $19.99 or hand-painted tree ball ornaments with Native designs for $16.99 from Gifts of the Raven; and dichroic glass planets for

$126.00, Northern Lights crystal stones strands for $16.99 and up, or Grow Your Own Crystals Kits for $12.99 and up, all from Exploration.

Christmas gift packages can be found at branded concepts such as The Body Shop and Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory. Other festive gifts can be found at Tie Rack, which carries distinctive silk scarves and ties; and Sporting Eyes, which features contemporary brand name sunglasses.

For those who like to be pampered, Absolute Spa at YVR and the Spa at the Fairmont have numerous prepackaged holiday gift sets available.

Also great for holiday gifts and stocking stuffers are the many Retail Carts located throughout the airport.

New additions include Lovable Stuffers, which allows customers to make and personalize their own stuffed animal; Cupcakes, which offers a huge variety of custom-made cupcakes; and Purdy’s Chocolates, which is located post-security in the Domestic Terminal.

Passengers travelling to the United States can find gift ideas post-security at Kids Works, which carries brands such at Crayola, Lego, Barbie and Sesame Street, and National Geographic offering educational and adventurous gifts.

Adding to the festive atmosphere at the airport, up to Jan. 5, YVR visitors have a chance at winning a trip for two, donated by Air Canada, to any destination the airline flies to in North America when they vote on their favourite decorated Christmas tree by donation, in support of the CKNW Orphans’ Fund.

For more information, including a listing of YVR merchants, visit www.yvr.ca.

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YVR PEOPLE

by Jim Jorgenson

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• CONSUMER • COMMERCIAL •

CLASSIFIED 49,000 READERS EVERY MONTH • $17.50 per col inch

Tel: 604 736-6754 • Fax: 604 736-6750 • E-mail: pstewart@westerndriver.com

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John Lovelace (left) is presented with a book on aviation pioneers by George Stoneystreet, QCAC president.

For more information contact

Special Guest at QCAC Dinner he Quarter Century in Aviation Club (QCAC) had a special guest speaker at their November dinner meeting. John Lovelace, the producer of the television series, Wings Over

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Canada, spoke about his experiences flying the length and breadth of ing the weekly show.

CBAA Spreads Christmas Cheer

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Toys were collected for donation to the Children’s Hospital, the Child Foundation and the Family Fund Richmond.

Meaning of Christmas, Continued from page 9

will your thoughts be of the less fortunate, or will you be sucked into the vortex of the “commercial Christmas?”

As you battle the crowds and the chaos while shopping for gifts, or overfill your grocery basket for the traditional Christmas dinner, stop for a moment and think of the less fortunate. This is the time of the year for giving. Give to whatever organization

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Meeting Rooms (2-6 pp)

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Canada and the challenges of produc-

(L. to r.) Scott Harrold, Piedmont-Hawthorne, Janet Maslin, CBAA, Christophe Chicandard, Bombardier, and Rob Spillett of Pegasus Aero

he Canadian Business Aviation Association (CBAA) held its annual Christmas party earlier this month at the Piedmont-Hawthorne Shell Aerocentre.

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you are comfortable with, but please give. Help make someone’s Christmas a bit brighter. Yes… You can, and will, make a difference.

Merry Christmas.

Tom Zeiser is a Captain for Western Express Airlines, and a speaker and trainer with Pegasus Presentations, specializing in aviation-related topics.

He can be reached at 604.274.3153 or at tom@pegasuspresentations.com

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