YOUR AIRPORT & SEA ISLAND COMMUNITY CONNECTION
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APRIL 2015
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Inaugural Air France flight receives a warm ‘Bienvenue’
New Routes:
YVR links to Kunming, China PG
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Historic Aircraft:
Lancaster Bomber heads West PG
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Technology:
Air Canada’s Apple Watch app PG
The inaugural Air France flight from Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) to YVR on March 29, 2015, marked the beginning of new direct seasonal service between Paris and Vancouver. This is exciting news for Metro Vancouver residents who voted Paris their number one most-requested destination from YVR. Air France is the first scheduled provider of this direct route. See AIR FRANCE page 2
(Left to Right) Louis Duvernois, French Senator; Frederic Lefebvre, French Deputy; His Excellency, Nicolas Chapuis, Ambassador of France to Canada; Craig Richmond, president and CEO, Vancouver Airport Authority; Patrick Alexandre, EVP commercial, sales and alliances, Air France and KLM; Honourable Kerry-Lynne Findlay, Minister of National Revenue, Government of Canada; Honourable Naomi Yamamoto, Minister of State for Tourism and Small Business, Province of B.C.
YVR named Best Airport for sixth consecutive year
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Travel Talk:
Go fish in San Diego PG
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Restaurant Guide:
Breakfast, lunch, dinner PG 16
Vancouver International Airport (YVR) was recently named #1 Airport in North America for the sixth year in a row at the Skytrax World Airport Awards held in Paris, France. Skytrax is considered the premier international airport awards and is voted on by more than 13-million passengers worldwide. This was the first time in Skytrax award history that an airport has maintained a #1 ranking for six consecutive years. “This recognition for a sixth year in a row is a testament to all the people who contribute to
our shared success,” said Craig Richmond, president and CEO, Vancouver Airport Authority. “I want to acknowledge and thank our community, passengers, partners and the 24,000 people who work and volunteer at YVR. We are both proud and humbled and will continue to collectively care for all our customers while connecting B.C. to the world.” Known informally in the travel industry as the Passenger Choice Awards, the Skytrax World Airport Awards are the global benchmark of airport excellence. More than 13-million passenger surveys were independently conducted across 550 airports in 112 countries measuring 39 dimensions of the airport experience, ranging from
check-in to border clearance efficiency, signage, transportation availability, design and layout, as well as shopping, service and dining options. YVR was also named the best-airport in the 10 to 20-million-passenger category. The Fairmont Vancouver Airport was named Best Airport Hotel in North America. The hotel category was introduced five years ago and Fairmont Vancouver Airport has held first place in four of those five years. To celebrate, YVR will thank its passengers, partners, community and, of course, employees by creating a festive atmosphere in the terminal, handing out treats and thanking them for their continued support.
APRIL SAVINGS
SHOW YOUR YVR ID AND SAVE! • $5.00 OFF WASH. You pay only $5.00 • 20% OFF DETAILING from $45.00 (after discount) • 4 minute wash time and only 3 min from YVR.
* YVR is the international aeronautical designation for Vancouver International Airport.
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Filipino send-off from YVR to New York YVR recently welcomed Philippine Airline’s (PAL) new service route, which connects Manila, Vancouver and New York. This new service will add four additional flights a week between YVR and New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), with an added benefit of increasing flights between Manila and Vancouver from seven to eleven flights a week. “We are thrilled that Philippine Airlines has introduced this new service connecting Manila, Vancouver and New York,” said Craig Richmond, president and CEO, Vancouver Airport Authority. “British Columbians now have increased flexibility and choices to fly to New York City to watch their favourite Broadway show, and the
Philippines to enjoy a sunny destination.” The new service was welcomed with a public celebration at The Spirit of Haida Gwaii: the Jade Canoe sculpture in the International Terminal. The public celebration was followed by a gate ceremony for the airline’s passengers at Gate 73, which included the Deputy Consul General of Philippines in Vancouver, Anthony Mandap; PAL president and COO, Jaime J. Bautista; and PAL chairman and CEO, Dr. Lucio Tan. “[This] will not just mark the launch of PAL’s Vancouver to New York service; it will also kick off an expansion of our Canadian operations,” said Jamie J. Bautista, president and COO, Philippine Airlines. See FILIPINO SEND-OFF page 3
Tinikling dancers celebrate Philippine Airlines’ new service from YVR to New York.
Health YVR
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