2004-01_skytalk

Air Transat’s “Search for Santa” Raises Money for Charity ast month, the Vancouver Air Transat base held a “Search for Santa” flight for all employees and their children as well as the families of some of their suppliers. The event is an annual tradition at Air Transat’s bases in Toronto and Montreal, but this year marked a first for Vancouver.

Tickets were sold for $25 per seat, and all money from the Vancouver event was donated to the Variety, Children’s Charity Telethon ‘Show of Hearts’. The money

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from the other bases was also donated to local charities.

In order to make the event a success, the airline sought out volunteers and donations for fuel and food. All of the suppliers went beyond what they were asked for and generously gave their time and products.

Vancouver Airport Authority waived the flight’s landing fees, and made a contribution to the charity directly for the amount of the Airport Improvement Fee (AIF), which was well beyond the dollar amount of actu-

al passengers. Fuel and labour were generously supplied by BP Fuel. All catering and related labour was donated by CARA Foods, with each passenger given a snack box with a tasty gingerbread cookie as an added treat. Globe Ground North America emplyees generously gave their time at check-in, ramp, and meeting the flight.

Finally, the Air Transat Team, from maintenance as well as pilots, flight attendants, SEE AIR TRANSAT, CONTINUED ON PAGE 2

Air Transat crew prior to their departing on their quest for Santa.

F R E E JANUARY 2004 • Your Airport Community Newspaper – Vancouver International Airport

ir Canada mainline flew 0.2 per cent more revenue passenger miles (RPMs) in December 2003 than in December 2002, according to preliminary traffic figures. Overall capacity decreased by 2.6 per cent, resulting in a load factor of 72.0 per cent, compared to 70.0 per cent in December 2002; an increase of 2.0 percentage points for 2003.

Jazz, Air Canada’s regional airline subsidiary, flew 2.4 per cent more revenue passenger miles in December 2003 than in December 2002, according to preliminary traffic figures. Capacity decreased by 4.0 per cent, resulting in a load factor of 59.4 per cent, compared to 55.8 per cent in December 2002; an increase of 3.6 percentage points.

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SEE AIR CANADA CONTINUED ON PAGE 2

Jetsgo Adds Planes, Expands Service etsgo is adding planes number 13 and 14 to its fleet, allowing expansion of its network to include greater frequencies on current routes.

The aircraft are being acquired through an operating lease from a major European bank.

Vancouver, Winnipeg, Halifax, and destinations in Florida will be the initial beneficiaries of this growth over the coming months.

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The rollout for the additional flights will be as follows: • Vancouver weekday service increases to three per day from two in May. • Extra capacity for spring break in February and March to Orlando, Fort Lauderdale, St. Petersburg and Fort Myers from Toronto and Montreal.

• Winnipeg and Halifax weekday service increases

to three per day from two in March, providing morning, afternoon and early evening departures.

“This capacity allows Jetsgo to answer demand for additional flights in key markets and enable us to expand our summer offering,” said Michel SEE JETSGO, CONTINUED ON PAGE 2

“Weigh in for Gold” with HMY Airways WestJet Pushes Forward

MY Airways has announced the “Weigh in for Gold” is open to all start of its unique “Weigh in for HMY customers who book and fly on Gold” contest at YVR. This scheduled flights before March 31, “golden” opportunity will allow trav- 2004. A grand prize winner will win ellers to win more than $1.5 million one ounce of gold for each pound in solid gold and as well as travel prizes.

The promotion, which will run between January 12 and March 31, 2004, marks the beginning of a Gold Sponsorship agreement between HMY Airways and the Make-A-Wish Dr. David T.K. Ho, chairman and CEO of HMYAirways, Foundation of outlines Weigh in for Gold contest details.

Canada.

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SEE HMY AIRLINES, CONTINUED ON PAGE 3

with Expanded Service

estJet has announced expansion plans for 2004, which include an expanded service of weekly departures across Canada and a redeployment of capacity from Hamilton to Toronto.

To facilitate this redeployment, the airline will be moving its Toronto operations to the larger Terminal 1 from Terminal 3 at Pearson International Airport on April 8, 2004.

“I am very pleased to announce the details of this, the latest phase of our aggressive schedule enhancements for 2004, which will

W Jorgenson Photo

Air Canada Reports Increase in December Traffic

provide 1,580 weekly network departures,” said Clive Beddoe, WestJet’s president, CEO and executive chairman. “These changes are made possible by the addition of one new 737-700 series aircraft and the redeployment of capacity from Hamilton.”

The airline currently operates a fleet of 44 Boeing 737 aircraft, 25 of which are state-of-the-art NextGeneration 700-series aircraft equipped with leather seats and enhanced legroom. WestJet will be SEE WESTJET AIRLINES, CONTINUED ON PAGE 2

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Air Transat,

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Continued from page 1

and ground management from inflight and operations volunteered their time. The airline’s station management arranged for a model air-

plane to be given to each child as they deplaned as a memento of the trip.

Two representatives from the Variety Club, Patricia and Peter

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Chipman, were invited to the event and were impressed with the event’s organization, amount of sponsorship and the incredible energy displayed by the crew.

The Air Transat Airbus A310 departed at 18:30 with the crew decked out in Christmas hats and reindeer antlers. The search was on

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Event organizers – Craig Henderson, inflight supervisor, and Annie Solon, flight attendant, with Air Transat social committee.

for Santa. Although the flight was heading for the North Pole, the pilot did catch wind that Santa was having a test flight in the area. Luckily, Air Transat was able to catch up with him. Santa landed on the plane, and with the help of the Captain came through the flight deck to surprise and amaze the children on board. There

Continued from page 1

Leblanc, president of Jetsgo. “We’re on a solid growth track that will see us serve more and more Canadians for their business and leisure travel.”

Jetsgo began flying in June 2002 with three 160-seat Boeing MD-83s.

This jetliner, certified by Transport Canada in 1989 and nicknamed the Super80, features Pratt & Whitney engines and an aerodynamic design that, together, create the quietest commercial aircraft interior in its category. It is also highly fuel-efficient, a key factor in Jetsgo’s low-cost business plan.

Jetsgo currently offers discount air

Air Canada,

Winter Maintenance Package ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■

Steering to the North Pole and dressed for the occasion was Air Transat Captain Simone Lavoie (left) and first officer Alain Rocheleau.

service to 11 Canadian destinations: Vancouver, Edmonton, Calgary, Winnipeg, Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal, Charlottetown, Halifax, Sydney, and St. John’s, Nfld.

Service in the United States is to New York (Newark), Las Vegas, and Fort Lauderdale, Orlando, St. Petersburg and Fort Myers in Florida.

All registered jetsgo.net users are eligible for Jetsmiles, Jetsgo’s frequent flyer program.

For full schedule and booking information, log on to jetsgo.net, phone the call centre at 1-866-4400441 or contact a travel agent.

Continued from page 1

“At a system level, December traffic moved into positive territory after 12 months of decline reflecting a strong Pacific and much higher demand for Caribbean, Mexican and South American destinations, said Rob Peterson, executive vice president and chief financial officer, “Key factors in the Pacific growth included the new service to Delhi, a reinstatement on December 1 of a second daily flight to Hong Kong (from Toronto) and a stronger China market.”

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Variety Children’s Charity representatives Peter and Patricia Chipman. was also a special visit from the unpopular Grinch.

Snack boxes and Advent calendars were then handed out and soon it was time for Santa to leave and the flight to return to Vancouver.

The event went off flawlessly, and most importantly, a total of 242 passengers were welcomed on board.

Best of all, over $6,000 was raised for Variety – The Children’s Network.

Air Transat looks forward to this becoming an annual event here on the West Coast.

WestJet,

Continued from page 1

installing live seatback satellite TV on its entire fleet of 737-700 aircraft.

Throughout 2004, WestJet will add 11 new Next-Generation aircraft to its fleet.

WestJet serves the 24 Canadian cities of Vancouver, Victoria, Comox, Abbotsford/Fraser Valley, Prince George, Kelowna, Grande Prairie, Calgary, Edmonton, Fort McMurray, Saskatoon, Regina, Winnipeg, Thunder Bay, Windsor, London, Hamilton, Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal, Moncton, Halifax, Gander and St. John’s.

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Cathay Expands Freighter Fleet

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PRESIDENT’S CORNER

By LARRY BERG, President and Chief Executive Officer

A 747-400 Special Freighter, with its stretch upper deck (above), and a 747-400 Freighter (below).

The New Year Brings New Opportunities at YVR fter a couple of years of challenges, all signs are pointing to a return to a period of growth for the aviation industry. Here at YVR, we expect to serve more than 15 million passengers, up from the nearly 14.3 million we served in 2003. This month, I would like to highlight a few of the initiatives we’re undertaking to ensure we meet the growing demands on our facilities and continue providing the excellent customer service that passengers enjoy at YVR. The Vancouver-Alaska cruise ship industry is an important part of the local tourism business, and the majority of people taking such a trip come through YVR. We are undertaking some initiatives to help move them though the airport as quickly as possible. One of the more exciting and innovative programs is onboard check-in. Last year, working together with our industry and government partners, we conducted a pilot program to check-in U.S. citizens and their bags on board selected cruise ships. When they arrived at YVR, they entered the airport through a dedicated cruise ship facility located near the U.S. departures gates, making the process faster and more convenient.

For the upcoming cruise ship season, we are working with partners to further expand this program.

We are taking some measures to help relieve the passenger congestion we have experienced in our transborder check-in area on particularly busy days during the peak summer season. We are adding additional check-in counters, self-service check-in kiosks, expanding the passenger screening areas, and implementing measures to check-in more cruise ship passengers in our dedicated facility, rather than in the main terminal.

In passenger surveys that we conduct each year, our award-winning selection of shops, restaurants and services continues to draw accolades. We working

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athay Pacific Airways has announced plans to add up to 13 aircraft to its freighter fleet.

The airline has placed an order to purchase one new Boeing 747-400F freighter, for delivery in February 2005. It will also convert at least six, and as many as 12, Boeing 747-400 passenger aircraft into freighters.

The airline also intends to launch new freighter services to Beijing, Munich and points in North America, pending Government approval of already submitted applications.

Cathay Pacific will be the launch customer for the new converted Boeing 747-400 Special Freighter aircraft. The first aircraft is expected to be complete in December 2005 with five others by 2007.

The airline may convert a number of its own Boeing 747-400 passenger aircraft along with others to be purchased second hand. All available options to maintain and expand its long-haul passenger fleet remain under consideration.

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and converted freighters makes sound economic sense, both as a way to make best use of our existing aircraft assets and to ramp up air cargo capacity in the most cost-effective way,” said Philip Chen, Cathay Pacific director and chief operating officer.

The aircraft will be modified with a strengthened main deck and side cargo door identical to that on the Boeing 747-400F production freighter. The Boeing 747-400 Special Freighter will have an estimated capacity of 113,490 kilogrammes and range of about 7,600 kilometres, and will be used on trunk cargo routes within Asia and to North America and Europe.

The new factory produced Boeing 747-400F will be powered by RollsRoyce RB211-524H -T engines. It will also be used to operate to Europe, North America, as well as some regional routes.

Cathay Pacific currently operates a fleet of five Boeing 747-400F and six Boeing 747-200F freighter aircraft and is the world’s sixth-largest air cargo carrier in terms of tonnage carried.

HMY Airlines,

with our retail business partners on upgrades to several outlets and pursuing additional opportunities to offer even more to our passengers. Last year, for example, YVR became the first airport in Canada to significantly expand retail offerings to U.S.-bound passengers with the opening of five new stores and two restaurants. In 2004, we will add two new stores and refurbish some existing shops. We are also looking at expanding our successful “Food on the Fly” program – meals packaged especially for travel – to include more outlets.

To help meet the growing needs of WestJet, we are in the process of upgrading the “A-Pier” on the south end of the Domestic Terminal Building. The work is scheduled for completion by early summer, and includes complete seismic upgrading, new heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems, new electrical systems, new interior and exterior design that matches the Domestic Terminal concourse, and three new aircraft loading bridges, for a total of five positions on A-Pier. These bridges will be double-headed, allowing passengers to board or disembark aircraft more quickly, and allow the airline a faster turnaround at YVR. Applying new technology to better serve passengers is another area in which we place a great deal of emphasis. We are expanding the use of self-service check-in kiosks, installing cyber café-style Internet stations throughout the terminals, and implementing the first phase of a multi–year integrated signage program to replace aging flight and information display units to improve passenger way-finding.

These are just some of the many initiatives we are undertaking to ensure YVR remains one of the world’s best airports.

Continued from page 1

they weigh. Additional prizes include a winner of one ounce of gold on flights departing from Vancouver and Toronto, and upgrades and savings on future flights.

Fran McDougall, national executive director of the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Canada, welcomed HMY as a Gold Sponsor. “Many children with life-threatening illnesses dream about family trips to destinations like Disneyland in Los Angeles.

With a generous sponsor like HMY Airways, we can make more dreams come true.”

HMY will contribute cash and travel services to the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Canada.

Details about the promotion can be found online at www.FlyHMY.com .

Your Airport Community Newspaper JANUARY 2004 ISSUE • VOL. 11 • NO. 3 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

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Star Alliance Announces Global Electronic Ticketing tar Alliance, the global airline alliance established in 1997, has announced a plan to implement global electronic ticketing capabilities for its member airlines by the end of 2004.

“Once more Star Alliance demonstrates its leadership role in the airline industry by implementing a global standard for a simple, seamless, efficient and customer-friendly product.” said Wolfgang Mayrhuber, chairman and CEO of Lufthansa German Airlines on behalf of the leadership of the Star Alliance.

In customer surveys around the globe, e-tickets are the most demanded service offering. Without having to carry traditional paper-ticket documents, passengers can check-in for travel using personal identification (credit- or mileage-program card).

Creating the technical capabilities to use electronic tickets across the whole Star Alliance network in a short time-

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frame became possible with the help of a highly integrated IT-infrastructure (called STARNET), which was created by all member carriers of Star Alliance after its formation.

“Our alliance was created with an emphasis on adding value to the international travelling public,” said Mayrhuber. “Rolling out this new product will simply underline our continued commitment to make the latest technologies work in favour of our customers.”

Star Alliance’s current membership consists of Air Canada, Air New

antas Airways North America has announced a change in the travel agency commission structure for all domestic and international Qantas flights, effective immediately.

The new policy provides for a travel agent commission of three per cent uncapped in North and Central America (USA, Canada, Caribbean, Bermuda, Mexico and Central

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American countries).

“We appreciate the convenience and ease of booking flights that our travel agency partners provide for Qantas customers,” said Howard Goldberg, vice president sales, the Americas, Qantas Airways. “While today’s airline industry continues to face harsh economic realities, we hope that our valued travel agents understand that we have made every

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membership will end on March 31.

In a joint statement, both Mexicana Airlines and the other members of the alliance expressed their commitment to maintain the current Star Alliance product offering including frequent flyer and lounge access benefits to their customers until the set date.

Star Alliance recently won its third award of 2003 by being voted ‘Best Airline Alliance’, at the Best in Business Travel Awards sponsored by U.S.-based Business Traveler magazine.

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Zealand, ANA, Asiana Airlines, Austrian, bmi, LOT Polish Airlines, Lufthansa, Mexicana Airlines, Scandinavian Airlines, Singapore Airlines, Spanair, Thai Airways International, United, and VARIG Brazilian Airlines, with US Airways scheduled to join the alliance in 2004.

As a result of Mexicana and United Airlines announcing the end of their code-sharing and regulatory cooperation agreement this year, the Star Alliance’s Management Board has announced that Mexicana Airlines’

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effort to retain a reasonable uncapped commission policy,” he added.

Internet booking commissions are unchanged from US$10.00.

With the most flights to the South Pacific from North America, Qantas Airways operates a fleet of 187 aircraft, across a network spanning 142 destinations in 32 countries.

Lufthansa to abolish commission In Europe, Lufthansa has announced it will abolish all payment of travel agency commission in Germany on Sept. 1, 2004. The airline said it will introduce what it called net pricing because it believes the responsibility for remunerating agents for their services lies with their customers.

Germany’s flag-carrier is not the first airline in Europe to move to zero commission. British Airways adopted zero plus a flat booking fee in 2001 but switched to one per cent earlier this month.

Scandinavian Airlines (SAS) has gone to zero in Scandinavia, as has Finnair in Finland, while almost all of Europe’s proliferating hordes of no-frills airlines have never paid commission.

“We were prepared for this,” said Chris Hunt, German travel manager for the electrical appliances manufacturer Electrolux. “We have seen it coming for several years. It gives us price transparency, but the only problem is what happens to fares.

We would expect there to be a decrease, otherwise this amounts to a price rise for us.”

J A N U A R Y

Flight Centre Voted Canada’s Second Top Employer

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things we are already doing right, but more importantly creates an opportunity to continue to strive to be the best through improvement.”

The rankings are compiled each year by international consulting firm Hewitt Associates, which acknowledges that the competition

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In sub-categories they called “drivers of employee engagement,” Flight Centre ranked first in Best Senior Leadership, Best Managers, Best Career Opportunities, Best Recognition, Best Workplace Resources and Best Performance Reviews.

One hundred and twenty-nine companies participated in this year’s survey, up from 62 last year.

Flight Centre North America is a leading retailer of travel products and services for the leisure and corporate markets. The company is headquartered in Vancouver with support from corporate regional offices in Toronto and Los Angeles.

Currently, Flight Centre has more than 600 staff across North.

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or the third straight year, Flight Centre has been rated among the top three of the Top 50 Employers to work for in Canada, according to Report on Business magazine’s annual rankings. The company’s ranking of second overall follows a third place finish last year and the number one spot the year before.

Flight Centre North America president Andrea Slingsby was especially pleased with the result as the rankings are based on direct feedback from employees.

“We all work extremely hard to make sure that Flight Centre is a great place to work and a place where we can provide our people with all the tools and opportunities for them to be the best they can be,” said Slingsby.

“Achieving this ranking reinforces the

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Improved Web Site for Skiers and Snowboarders he Canadian Ski Council has recently revamped its Web site to provide skiers and riders with all the information they need with one simple click of the mouse.

“Our Web site is now more accessible, convenient and consumer friendly,” reports Colin Chedore, president of the Canadian Ski Council. “We’ve endeavoured to make this site a one-stop shop for skiers and snowboarders.”

Skiers and riders can click on www.skicanada.org and/or www.canadasnowboard.org to access this bilingual site that is the portal to all things related to skiing and snowboarding in Canada.

The site includes: • Links to Canadian alpine ski and cross-country areas; • Information on ski, snowboard and cross-country equipment and tips, including links to equipment and

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accessories manufacturers and suppliers; • Grade 5 SnowPass information for free resort visits; • Discover Skiing, Snowboarding and Cross-Country information; • ‘How-to’ information for beginning skiers, snowboarders and Nordic skiers; • Access to SnowOnline, Canada’s enews source for ski and ride information; • Nissan National Ski & Snowboard Week events listing; • What to wear information; • News and Events; • Bulletin Board.

If you are looking for any information about skiing and snowboarding, this Web site is a great place to start. If you don’t find what you are looking for, you will certainly get connected to a source that can help you get the answers you need.

BUSINESS

Record Breaking Snowfall — December 2003 ranks among the top five snowiest Decembers in 20 years, with weather forecasters recording 478 cm (15 feet) of snowfall in Whistler since the start of the season. Photo: courtesy Tourism Whistler.

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OPPORTUNITIES

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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Tourism Industry on the Path to Recovery – But Not Out of the Woods Yet W hile six major Canadian cities are showing signs of improvement in the tourism industry, caution has been expressed regarding the strength and longevity of the recovery, according to Lyle Hall, managing director of KPMG’s Hospitality, Leisure and Tourism Practice and co-author of KPMG’s weekly Tourism Expenditure Monitor.

Hall cautions that “many of the negative factors affecting visitation over the past six months are still with us and could result in continued pressure on both visitation and spending.

We have certainly seen resiliency in many sectors but we aren’t out of the woods yet.”

Between March 2 and Oct. 25, 2003, the aggregate decline in tourism expenditures in Vancouver, Calgary, Montreal, Niagara Falls,

Toronto and Ottawa was are, at play with VARIANCE IN VISITOR SPENDING $1.03 billion compared regard to the signifibetween 2002 (base year) and 2004 to the same period in cant decreases in CITY ANNUAL 2002. In releasing a foretourism visitation cast of revenue variances and spending,” said Calgary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .0.4% for 2004 (compared with Hall. “SARS was the Montreal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .(0.6%) 2003 and 2002), KPMG flashpoint in Toronto Niagara Falls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .(10.5%) notes that some of the six but a weak U.S. cities under review will economy, percepOttawa . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2.1% recover faster than othtions of antiToronto . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .(6.6%) ers.

Americanism by While Calgary and Canadians, a much Vancouver . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .0.2% Ottawa are expected to higher value of the Source: KPMG based on source data from Smith Travel Research and return to 2002 levels by Canadian dollar, and Statistics Canada the fourth quarter of ongoing airline 2003, Niagara Falls is not woes, have all conToronto, the city most negatively tributed to the disappointing perforexpected to recover until the first affected by SARS and various other mance in each of the six cities includquarter of 2005.

Vancouver and Montreal should shocks to the Canadian tourism indus- ed in the Monitor.” see tourism expenditures roughly try, should recover by the end of The KPMG report goes on to idenconsistent with 2002 levels through 2004. tify various challenges and opportuni“A variety of factors were, and still ties in the Canadian tourism industry, all four quarters in 2004. including the need for more effective marketing, approaching tourism marketing as a business and not a political decision and the need to continually reinforce the value of tourism to the ment. BCYHA members have investCanadian economy. ed heavily into their communities and “Think of all the federal and as a result, are integral to steering the provincial ridings in Canada that future development of the province could be won or lost on an agriculture and territory. or fisheries issue versus the number that could be won or lost on a tourism Craig Norris-Jones, BC & Yukon issue,” said Hall. “We simply must Hotels’ Association newly elected give the industry the recognition it president. deserves as a significant employer

New Leadership for Hotel Association raig Norris-Jones is the newly elected president of the BC & Yukon Hotels’ Association (BCYHA).

Norris-Jones will lead the BCYHA for the next two years representing the industry on issues such as tourism marketing funding, labour policy, reduced taxation, corporate relations, consumer services, and liquor licensing policy.

A long-time hotelier and community contributor, Norris-Jones has served on the BCYHA Board of Directors since 1993. He is currently general manager of the Coast Plaza Suite Hotel at Stanley Park in Vancouver and vice president of Coast Hotels.

“We are fortunate to have an hotelier with such vast experience to represent the diversity of our members’ interests,” says outgoing president Al McCreary of the Hudson Bay Lodge in Smithers. “He has worked and lived in both large and small hotel communities, enabling him to understand the business on many levels.”

Headquartered in Vancouver, the BCYHA is dedicated to improving and growing the tourism and hospitality industry within British Columbia and the Yukon. With 580 hotel members and nearly 200 affiliate members, it represents an industry with revenue in excess of $3.1 billion, 48,000 rooms and more than 45,000 employees. A significant component of B.C.’s $9.5 billion tourism trade with member representation in almost every community throughout B.C. and the Yukon gives the association a strong voice at all levels of govern-

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and revenue generator for all levels of government.”

KPMG also outlines the potential for involving the private sector in the rejuvenation and redevelopment of tourism assets.

“These attractions, museums and institutions are among the principal reasons visitors choose to come to urban destinations,” said Hall. “If the public sector is unable or unwilling to invest the large amounts of capital needed to allow these assets to be used at tourist attractors, then opportunities should be explored to permit the private sector to become involved.

This can be done in a way that respects the integrity and sensitivity of the asset.”

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First Graduates of BCIT’s Commercial Pilot Diploma Program ast month, the British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT) held a graduation ceremony at the Vancouver International Airport for

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students of its airline and flight operations (commercial pilot), and airport operations diploma programs.

Twenty-one airline students made

Air Fair2004 Join us for professional and social networking Plus informational presentations and aviation industry updates.

When: Time: Where:

Friday, March 12, 2004 5:15 pm Richmond Inn, Conference Centre 7551 Westminster Highway, Richmond

Here’s your opportunity to network in a relaxed atmosphere with representatives from these and other organizations: WestEx HeliJet Pilot Career Centre Hawkair Selkirk Remote Sensing Ltd.

Harbour Air Pacific Flying Club Air Canada Jazz TK Air Coastal Mountain Air

Learn more through a panel discussion featuring the following speakers: Pat Kennedy Rick Zimmerman Kevin Hollands

Operations Manager, Pacific Flying Club.

Supervisor, Flight Operations, Air Canada Jazz.

WestJet.

Who should attend: • Aspiring pilots wanting more information on flying as a career.

• Career pilots ready to move to the next level.

• Licensed pilots looking for new career opportunities.

Tickets available through the Ticketmaster charge-by-phone center (604.280.4444), at all Ticketmaster centres and online at www.ticketmaster.ca Advance tickets:

The first graduating class of BCIT’s airline and flight operations diploma program held their graduation ceremony at Vancouver International Airport. The program offers a unique training opportunity for men and women who wish to become airline pilots and airline managers.

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up the first graduating class of the commercial pilot program, which offers commercial pilot training as well as the specialized skills needed to operate an airline. They were joined by 18 students in the third graduating class of the airport operations program.

Guest speakers at the ceremony included Jerry Lloyd, president of the British Columbia Aviation Council (BCAC) and Craig Richmond, BCAC chair and vice president airport operations, Vancouver International Airport Authority.

BCIT and Pacific Flying Club, B.C.’s largest flight training centre, combined resources for the commercial pilot program, which is unique in Canada in that all courses are designed to provide the student with a full range of aviation courses ranging from aviation law and WHMIS to dispatching and safety officer training and cockpit resource management.

Graduates of the 16-month program earned a BCIT diploma and a commercial pilot’s licence with a multi-engine instrument rating. The integrated training is the fastest way to obtain the credentials. On graduating students are eligible to continue their studies by enrolling in BCIT’s Bachelor of Technology in Technology Management degree with a specialization in Airline Technical Operations.

J A N U A R Y

Hawkair to Begin Daily Flights to Victoria awkair has announced a new destination to Victoria, with daily flights starting next month.

The Terrace-based airline will offer three departure times daily (one on Sunday). Northerners traveling from Terrace-Kitimat or Prince Rupert on the morning flight can connect through YVR’s South Terminal at 11:00 a.m. and be in Victoria at 11:25 a.m.

A 4:50 p.m. departure from Victoria connects with a 5:45 p.m. flight to Prince Rupert, and a 6:00 p.m. to Terrace.

Morning departures from Victoria to Vancouver also connect with morning and midday departures to TerraceKitimat as well as to Dawson Creek, B.C., and Grande Prairie, Alberta.

A one-way connecting fare of $53.50 will be available to those travelling from or to the airline’s northern cities onto Victoria.

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“We received many requests from our passengers to begin serving new cities, and Victoria was at the top of the list,” said Darryl Tucker, Hawkair’s director of sales and marketing. “With the convenient schedule and great fares, we know many people will be happy to fly Hawkair to and from Victoria.”

In addition to government and business travel, airline officials are anticipating the flight will be popular with leisure travellers – northerners taking a winter break to visit Victoria, and Victoria residents flying up to enjoy skiing, fishing and wildlife viewing.

Hawkair will also be offering midday nonstop flights between Victoria and Prince George.

Flights to Victoria begin February 7 and are available for booking now at www.hawkair.ca, or through a travel agent.

LSG Auction Bargains Scooped Up here were lots of bargains to be had when the LSG Sky Chef catering scissor-lift trucks and kitchen facilities were auctioned off in November.

LSG Sky Chefs is the largest inflight service provider with over 200 production centres around the world. Its in-flight kitchen was located in the former Canadian (now Air Canada) complex on North Service Road. The YVR operation was closed after LSG’s contract with Canadian Airlines (now Air Canada) ran out.

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New YVR Retail Cart Provides Personalized Teddy Bears

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new retail cart at YVR is offering a unique gift idea. Lovable Stuffers is an interactive and unique concept that allows travellers to customize and build their very own teddy bear, or other stuffed animal, in just minutes.

All stuffed animals come with a birth certificate and a cradle to take them home in. A wide selection of clothing is also available.

The Lovable Stuffers cart can be found at Level 3, U.S. Departures.

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Planning is Key

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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.

Sponsored in part by:

Mutual Fund Dealer Insurance service provider

Read a fund’s prospectus and consult your investment professional before investing.

Mutual funds are not guaranteed; their values change frequently, and past performance may not be repeated. Investors will pay management fees and expenses, may pay commissions or trailing commissions and may experience a gain or loss.

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Lessons From a Bear Market

By Peter Kutney t would appear that the great bear market of 2000-2002 is over. You can almost hear the collective sigh of relief by investment professionals from New York to Hong Kong.

Having said that, there are important lessons to be learned from this past bear market, so file this away for the inevitable walk down a bear market road in the future.

Pay attention to valuations: Buying companies that are reasonably priced relative to their earnings is called ‘investing’. Buying stocks that you think will go up is usually called ‘speculating’. In a bear market, ‘investing’ works much better than

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‘speculating’. A simple rule of thumb that I use is the PEG ratio. The PEG is the Price Earnings ratio divided by the recent earnings growth of the company. If it gives you a “1”or lower, the stock is quite reasonably priced. During the technology boom, many tech stocks had Price Earnings ratios of 50, 75 or 200, with no earnings. The PEG for these companies was infinity, and the companies were definitely poor investments. If you own mutual funds, you can also get a good idea where the manager stands on this issue by scanning the top 10 holdings and then looking up the PE in the Globe and Mail. You can also ask the fund company what the average PE is on your fund. A worthwhile

exercise, believe me.

Watch out for “multiple expansion”: One of the primary reasons that major stock markets in the U.S. rose by so much in the 1995-2000 period was a change in mood. Investors were very optimistic due to increased corporate productivity and higher and higher earnings, leading them to bid many stock prices up to higher and higher levels relative to the underlying earnings of the companies. As a result, the average Price Earnings ratio on the S&P 500 expanded from a long-term average of about 14 up to the mid-30s.

(It has now returned to the mid-20s.)

This process was called “multiple expansion” because the PE grew faster than corporate earnings. Many

investors ignored this issue, saying “It’s different this time.” Well it wasn’t, unfortunately. In 2000 and 2001, investors decided that stock prices really had gotten out of hand, which led to the bear market, and “multiple contraction”. So watch out for this in the future. You want your stock prices to increase because earnings are increasing not simply because speculators are more optimistic.

Value is a much safer place to be: Value Investors like Jerry Javesky (Ivy Funds), Peter Cundill (Cundill funds), and Bill Kanko and his group at Trimark all know about the subject of “multiple expansion.” They buy companies that are reasonably priced, and pay very strict attention to the underlying fundamentals such as earnings, and the balance sheet. Their funds lagged the market somewhat in the bull market years of 1998 and 1999, but performed admirably during the bear market. If you had held any of their funds then you would not have lost money over the three-year period ending in December, 2002.

Diversification really does count: The investment world in 19952000 was all about big-cap stocks, and especially U.S. big cap-stocks.

MONEY MATTERS

By Peter Kutney

Wal-Mart, GE, Home Depot, Nortel, Intel, and Dell all soared, and took the S&P 500 and the TSE 300 with them.

In the bear market of 2000-2002, all major markets showed negative threeyear returns as multiple contraction kicked in. Other asset winners were: Canadian bonds, global bonds, real estate funds, managed futures, and income trusts. Each of these asset classes showed positive returns for the three-year period ending Dec. 31, 2002 according to their respective benchmarks. A well-diversified portfolio always has its eggs in many different baskets.

One last thought: always remember that stock prices are driven by human behavior. Human behavior, in turn, is often driven by emotion — euphoria during a bull market, and pessimism during the bear. Lately, the prevalent emotion has turned again to euphoria and this should be a warning sign. If you can learn to detect this, and invest “contrary” to the crowd, you will be a very successful investor.

Peter Kutney is a financial planner with Equinox Financial Group in Vancouver. He can be reached at 604438-1603 or pkutney@telus.net

Second Annual Dine Out Vancouver

OFFICE SPACE FOR LEASE Base Rates $8.00 per sq. ft. per annum

5400 Airport Road South

■ If you are looking for well-appointed office space at budget prices, call us today.

■ Office space available from 300 sq. ft. to 1,800 sq. ft. to suit your requirements.

■ Shop and Storage area also available from 500 sq. ft. to 10,000 sq. ft., strategically situated airside at YVR’s southside, 5400 Airport Road South, Richmond.

Contact: Wayne Duzita: wayne@iat-yvr.com Tina Caven: tina@iat-yvr.com Tel: (604) 273-4611; Fax: (604) 273-5624 Suite 2000 – 5000 Miller Road, Richmond, BC Canada V7B 1K6 VANCOUVER•CALGARY•EDMONTON•SASKATO ON•WI N N I PEG•L AS VEGAS•R ENO

Chefs from participating restaurants in this year’s Dine out Vancouver promotion converge at Granville Island Market.

Photo: Jim Jorgenson ourism Vancouver has announced the second annual “Dine out Vancouver” restaurant event. The promotion, presented by VISA, will run Jan. 23 to Feb. 5, 2004.

Due to the success of Dine out Vancouver 2003, this year’s event will run an extra four days and will include two full weekends for consumers to sample three-course prix fixe menus ($15 or $25) from more than 100 Greater Vancouver eateries.

Also new this year are great deals on hotel rates and packages to complement the dining experience.

A full list of participating restaurants, complete with menus, is available online at www.tourismvancouver.com

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J A N U A R Y

Pier Reconstruction Continues

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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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Revamped Skyline Sports Lounge PART-TIME CAR JOCKIES PARK ’N FLY, Van. Int’l. Airport

he Skyline Sports Lounge in the Comfort Inn (formerly the Skyline Airport Hotel) sports a new look that manager, Ken Illescas, describes as “less of a formal lounge, and more of a pub atmosphere.” The warm and comfortable lounge is complete with fireplace, 60” big-screen TV, pool and foos ball tables.

Management and staff look forward to welcoming sports teams and fundraiser events at the revamped facility. With plenty of parking, the Skyline Sports Lounge looks forward to welcoming back YVR and Sea Island employees.

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Thought for the New Year

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he invention of the airplane was a fundamental turning point in history. It redefined the way we fought our wars; revolutionized travel and commerce; fuelled the process of technological change; and

helped shape the world in which the very survival of a nation would depend on its scientific and technical prowess. Flight is, and will continue to be, one of humankind’s most significant accomplishments.

-U.S. Centennial Flight Commission

* Call for Details 604-697-5400

BAGGAGE HANDLERS POSITIONS AVAILABLE.

he Domestic Terminal Building A-Pier reconstruction project is well underway, with the relocation of two existing aircraft bridges. There will be three additional double-headed bridges installed this year to serve WestJet’s expanding fleet. Completion date is scheduled for early summer 2004.

We are open 24 hours every day and have openings for the following: 1) AM shift-05:00 am-2:30 pm 2) PM shift-02:00 pm-11:30 pm 3) Midnight shift-10:00 pm-7:00 am Successful candidates will possess: • Clean driver’s license supported by current drivers abstract (obtainable from Dept. of Motor Vehicles at NO CHARGE) • Class 4 unrestricted license an asset • Must be able to drive standard trans.

• Good English communication skills • Better-than-average customer awareness, and a team player • Safe & responsible driver; driving experience with various types of vehicles • Excellent workplace attitude • Must be available for work 2 days per week (any two days Mon-Sun.)

All jobs are part time and pay $8.84/h. Must hold valid Class 5 drivers licence.

PAAHI Networks Inc.

Please fax résumé to 604-303-4574 Attn. Rick No phone calls please

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES

(Paahi means Protect)

RECREATION PROP FOR SALE CABIN FOR SALE MOVE IT TO YOUR PROPERTY

New Challenges at YVR Now Hiring

Buy this beautifully crafted portable cabin for your recreational property. Cabin is currently located on the sunshine coast as part of a cabin village rental resort.Owner will transport to buyers property anywhere in B.C. Built to a high standard by a reputable Vancouver company it has strong laminated arched ribbed interior with pine finish. The exterior is cedar with a maintenance free aluminium shake roof. Includes wood stove and all fixtures plumbing, electrical and furniture.Just connect the utilities and move in. Lease expiry. Must sell. Price Reduced $39,950 plus transportation costs. 604 644 9067.

Securiguard is seeking candidates with excellent customer service background and a Restricted Area Pass.

Security experience is an asset.

INTERNET SITES

Successful candidates will receive complementary security training and signing bonus.

Send Your Résumé Via E-mail: recruiting@securiguard.com Fax: 604-685-0013 Or In Person At #300 - 1575 W. Georgia, Vancouver For more info visit our Web site @ www.securiguard.com

Starting probationary rate $9.59/hr, increasing to $11.98/hr Complete an application prior to 12:00 p.m. Friday Jan. 23, 2004 at 6380 Miller Road Richmond or email jclark@parknflyvancouver.com Please no phone calls.

ACCOMMODATION FOR RENT

AFFORDABLE LUXURY AT ITS BEST and Minutes to Airport!!!

Oceanside Steveston! Century Royale Apts: 604-277-7368 Minutes to Ocean and Steveston Village! Beautiful 7 acres of Park-Like Setting!

Carlton Park Gardens: 604-277-7271 Huge and completely renovated studios, 1, 1+Den, 2 BDRM and Elegant oversized 3 BDRMS, both properties are minutes to Shopping, Bus, Parks, Ocean, Dining & Entertainment! Include gym, pool, sauna, recreation center and Free Satellite TV. Going Fast! Call Today!