YOUR AIRPORT & SEA ISLAND COMMUNITY CONNECTION
27
$
b Luxury
per night 1st time customer
Pet Hotel Airport 7am-10pm
b Vancouver b Daycare
skytalkonline.com MAY 2013
5980 Miller Road b 604.238.7387
w w w.je tp e tre s or t.com
YVR named Best in North America
airline news:
Cathay marks 30 years in Vancouver PG
4
air traffic:
YVR welcomes new routes PG
5
update:
YVR was named Best Airport in North America at the Skytrax World Airport Awards in Geneva, Switzerland on April 10, 2013. YVR is rated 8th overall worldwide and is the only North American airport included in the top-10 best airports. The Skytrax World Airport awards are based on 12-million passenger surveys conducted in airports around the world over a nine-month period. The survey of 395 airports measured 39 dimensions of the airport experience including comfort, efficiency, signage, transportation availability, passenger amenities and friendliness. The Skytrax Best Airport in North America Award is a
testament to the strong partnerships in place at YVR with airlines, government agencies, business partners, retailers and volunteers. “We are honoured to receive the Skytrax Best Airport in North America award for the fourth consecutive year and thank everyone for their continued vote of confidence,” said Larry Berg, president and CEO, Vancouver Airport Authority. “In an evercompetitive landscape, this award represents the hard work of airport staff and volunteers, our airline, retail and business partners and their commitment to continuously improve YVR’s facilities and customer experience. YVR’s success would not be possible without
the feedback and support from our partners and the millions of passengers and visitors we serve every year.” More than 23,600 people work on YVR’s Sea Island home every day: a true community. The World Airport Awards are the global benchmark of airport excellence and known in the travel industry as the Passenger’s Choice Awards. The 100 per cent independent passenger survey is held in the highest regard for its impartiality and integrity. More information on the Skytrax World Airport Awards is available at worldairportawards.com.
On Friday April 19, Airport Authority employees and volunteers distributed YVR chocolates to passengers and airport employees to celebrate the Best Airport in North America Award win.
Made-at-YVR technology set to improve travel efficiency
Boeing 787 back in the skies PG
9
Recognizing exceptional customer service
airline awards:
Skytrax names 2012 World’s Best Airlines PG 15 film festival:
Air Canada call for entries PG
17
Retail Service Excellence Program
Kevin Molloy, VP Simplified Passenger Travel, Vancouver Airport Authority, (right) and John Wagner, Acting Deputy Assistant Commissioner, US Customs and Border Protection (centre), assist one of the first U.S. passengers using the newly launched Automated Passport Control kiosk at Vancouver International Airport, Richmond, BC, Tuesday, May 7, 2013.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CPB) and Vancouver Airport Authority are pleased to announce the launch of Automated Passport Control at YVR. This is an expedited customs entry process that will allow eligible passengers travelling from YVR to the U.S. to clear customs more efficiently, while still maintaining high safety and security standards. This partnership is the
first-of-its-kind and aims to help travellers move more quickly through the CBP preclearance inspection process by allowing entry of passport information at a self-service kiosk. “Increasing efficiency and streamlining processes are critical components of CBP’s modernization efforts at ports of entry,” said Thomas S. Winkowski,
For all your hobbyist & professional needs * YVR is the international aeronautical designation for Vancouver International Airport.
See MADE-AT-YVR page 3
(Left to right) Gillian Chiu, Plaza Premum Lounge; Amanda Fisher, ICE Currency Exchange; and Susan Mariano, Virgin Books & Music—each one of these employees achieved a perfect score in the YVR Retail Service Excellence Program. Congratulations, and keep up the exceptional work!
Voted the Best Airport in North America at the April 2013 Skytrax World Airport Awards, YVR is proud of its reputation for delivering the best customer service and airport experience to all travellers. The re-launch of the YVR Retail Service Excellence Program not only ensures the airport’s mission to continuously improve its customer
Spring into Flight Training See us for all your pilot training supplies
experience, but also provides an opportunity to recognize and reward all retail shops, services and restaurant employees who provide exceptional customer service. YVR’s first quarter results are in and the following employees received a perfect score on their respective mystery shop report:
See RETAIL EXCELLENCE page 3
Health YVR
&
See Page 7