APRIL 2011
YVR voted best airport in North America
community:
Play-off hockey fever at YVR
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aircraft:
Salzburg’s Hangar-7 Museum page
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travel talk:
Vancouver International Airport (YVR) has been ranked the best airport in North America for the second year in a row by millions of the most discerning judges: travellers. YVR was honoured with the prestigious designation as part of the 2011 Skytrax World Airport Awards—an independent and highly regarded survey which ranks airports worldwide—held March 30 at the Passenger Terminal Expo in Copenhagen, Denmark. “This award has special meaning to YVR since it signifies that our quest for excellence is recognized by the millions of travellers who use our facilities every year,” said Larry Berg, president and CEO, Vancouver Airport Authority. “Pivotal to
our continued success are strong partnerships with 23,000-plus people who work on Sea Island—including airlines, government agencies, business partners, retailers and volunteers, with whom we share this award.” The Skytrax survey was completed by more than 11.38-million travellers from 100 countries around the globe. Respondents were asked to rate airports on 39 different criteria including cleanliness, design and layout, retail facilities, clarity of flight information and signs, luggage handling and transportation. In 2010, YVR passengers benefited from the new facilities and services put in place in preparation for the 2010 Winter Games, including the Canada Line rapid
KLM celebrates 25 years of YVR service London’s Royal Wedding page
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restaurants:
Breakfast, lunch & dinner
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car talk:
2011 VW Golf range
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This month marks the 25th anniversary of KLM Royal Dutch Airlines’ operations at YVR. The oldest airline in the world still operating under its original name, KLM has been connecting Vancouver and Amsterdam on daily flights since the early 1980s. Dutch consul general Johannes Vervload and AIR FRANCE-KLM’s vice president and general manager for Canada, Bénédicte Duval, were joined by Vancouver Airport Authority president and CEO Larry Berg at an official gate ceremony for the departure of Flight 682 to Amsterdam on April 1. Some 250 passengers and 15 crew members were treated to anniversary cupcakes and a special dedication ceremony. “From two flights a week in 1986 with stopovers in Calgary, Vancouver is now served daily with a 285-seater MD-11,” said Duval. “Moreover, KLM’s long-time presence in Vancouver is a strategic asset in the North American Transatlantic Joint Venture it holds with Delta, Air France
and Alitalia.” This summer, KLM’s daily flights between Vancouver and Amsterdam will arrive and depart earlier than in years’ past: Vancouver to Amsterdam • Departs 4:05pm • Arrives 10:25am (+ 1 day) Amsterdam to Vancouver • Departs 1:20pm • Arrives 2pm “We’re delighted to celebrate the 25th anniversary of one of our valued longtime airline partners,” said Berg. “KLM’s service between Vancouver and Amsterdam offers an important connection between western Canada and Europe—a connection valued by business and leisure travellers alike.” KLM merged with AIR FRANCE in 2004, making it the largest airline partnership in the world. AIR FRANCE-KLM transports the most passengers in the world and is the globe’s second-largest cargo transporter.
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Sign up for our eNewsletter and a chance to Win a $25 Gift Card. * YVR is the international aeronautical designation for Vancouver International Airport.
transit link and the Public Observation Area. Customer care continues to be a focus for the Airport Authority, with hundreds of volunteer Green Coat ambassadors and customer care staff delivering an unparalleled experience to the airport’s passengers. Other highly-ranked features at YVR include the ease of accessibility to and from the airport with the Canada Line; stunning
art and architecture that is reflective of B.C.’s landscape and people; 160 shops and services; and even a 114,000-litre aquarium. The Fairmont Vancouver Airport Hotel was also recognized in a brand-new Skytrax category for Best Airport Hotels around the world. For more information on these awards, visit worldairportawards.com.
Hope Without Borders initiative supports Japan’s relief efforts
Soil liquefaction was evident in areas of reclaimed land around Tokyo as a result of Japan’s earthquake. The Japanese government has said the cost of the earthquake and subsequent tsunami could reach $309-billion, making it the world’s most expensive natural disaster on record. ICE International Currency Exchange and the team from Payline FX have combined forces to collaborate on a fundraising initiative that will span Canada, from coast to coast. Launching on Monday, April 11, Hope Without Borders will offer Canadians and the travelling public the opportunity to give their support, no matter how small, by donating funds in any currency at any one of more than 85 ICE Currency locations throughout Canada. The goal is to raise $25,000 for the Japan earthquake relief efforts. One hundred per cent of proceeds collected will be donated directly to the Japan Red Cross Society by Payline FX, a BC-based international payment brokerage, with all administration and wire fees waived. Headquartered at YVR, ICE’s 35-year history as one of the most respected retail foreign currency exchange brands in the world now includes more than 320 branches in 20 countries, including more than 65 airports. “We are not only global businesses, we are global citizens,” said Koko Sarkari, director of global operations for ICE. “Our organizations were moved beyond words by the devastating events in Japan, following the earthquake and tsunami on March 11.” Through this cross-country campaign, ICE is hopeful that many of its retail partners across the country will place provided donation boxes at their retail operations, to
give more people opportunities to donate. “As members of the Canadian airport community, we have reached out to our fellow retailers and anticipate their strong support,” said Dan Northam, ICE International Currency Exchange’s director of compliance. “With more than 160 retail locations within the Vancouver International Airport alone, we have a unique opportunity to pool our resources.” To kickstart the Hope Without Borders campaign, Payline FX will match the first $1,000 in donations made. “With clients and employees from Japan, we wanted to do our part to make a difference,” said Paul Rechner, president of Payline FX. “We have fielded a number of calls since the earthquakes from people asking for our help to remit their donations directly to the Japan Red Cross Society. We are happy to use our payment systems to give Canadians an alternative option for their donations. Our collaboration with ICE also gives us access to reach out to Canadians across the country through ICE’s numerous retail locations.” With retail locations at many of Canada’s major international airports including Vancouver, Victoria, Montreal, Ottawa, Toronto and Quebec City, the Hope Without Borders campaign has a wide reach. The campaign is expected to run until August 2011 in recognition that Japan will face a long road to recovery.
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