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FEBRUARY / MARCH 2022
Flying ‘ark’ brings hundreds of rescued cats and dogs from Afghanistan to YVR
Awards:
Judy Cameron named to Order of Canada PG
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Community:
YVR’s 12 Days of Giving PG
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Airlines:
On the evening of Feb. 1, an Ilyushin IL-76 giant, Soviet-era cargo plane touched down at Vancouver International Airport (YVR). The specially configured aircraft’s two-day journey began in Kabul, Afghanistan, making stops in Turkey and Iceland before landing in Vancouver. Its precious cargo was 158 dogs and 146 cats, stranded in Afghanistan when American troops withdrew in August 2021. At that time, a highly volatile situation and related logistical hurdles made the animals’ evacuation impossible. Throughout fall 2021, special donations to Kabul Small Animal Rescue (KSAR) helped support the ongoing care of the animals while
(Above) Ilyushin IL-76 lands at YVR with its precious cargo of more than 300 cats and dogs. Photo: FlyteDeck. (Right) One of 146 cats on the Ilyushin eagerly waits to disembark at YVR after a two-day journey from Kabul. Photo: FlyteDeck.
efforts were in progress to evacuate them. Canada provided the best option as a final destination because of a U.S. Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) suspension on canine imports from more than 100 countries (Afghanistan included). A coalition of animal organizations—War Paws, Marley’s Mutts, RainCoast
Dog Rescue Society and Thank DOG I am Out (TDIAO)—was formed to set up a specially constructed temporary facility at YVR to receive almost 300 animals still in KSAR’s care. The coalition group worked non-stop, following strict guidelines, comprehensively documenting every animal for import, and ensuring
the set up of a 1,600-squaremetre facility in record time at YVR to house the animals on their arrival. When the plane landed, a large crowd gathered on the YVR tarmac to welcome the animals, including elated owners anxiously waiting to reunite with their loved ones. Eighty of the animals will ultimately reunite with
their owners, and the others will be available for adoption through SPCA International (spcai.org) and B.C.-based RainCoast Dog Rescue Society (raincoastdogrescue.com). Experienced staff and volunteers will care for the animals at the temporary YVR facility until they receive the safe homes they deserve.
YVR remains Top Brand in the B.C. region
Environment:
2021 Green Excellence Awards PG
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Airlines:
Flair’s new route to Los Cabos PG
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ners across Sea Island to keep the overall impression and positive attitudes associated with the airport so incredibly high. According to the survey’s results, YVR still ranks at the top in terms of overall favourable impression compared to other well-known regional brands—Telus, University of British Columbia, BC Hydro—with 72 percent of people having either a favourable or very favourable
Photo: courtesy InterVistas.
impression of YVR. Congratulations, YVR,
for being deemed a credible and trustworthy organization
and a source of pride for British Columbians.
Lynx Air announces service from YVR New Canadian ultra-lowcost airline Lynx Air (Lynx) has announced that YVR is one of the first airports it will be servicing. The airline’s booking website includes tickets on sale for flights to the airline’s first five destinations: Vancouver, Kelowna, Calgary, Winnipeg and Toronto, using a fleet of brand-new Boeing 737 aircraft. Lynx’s inaugural flight will take place Thursday,
Lynx Air will offer service via a fleet of brand-new Boeing 737 aircraft.
April 7, 2022, from Calgary to Vancouver. The airline will offer daily flights between these two significant travel
hubs, increasing to twice-daily flights on Friday, May 20, 2022. “At YVR, we’re excit-
ed to welcome Lynx Air to Vancouver, which will provide even more options for travellers from our air-
port,” said Russell Atkinson, director, air service development at Vancouver Airport Authority. “We look forward to Lynx Air’s first flights from YVR and being part of the airline’s growth as they focus on offering more choice and affordable fares for the people of B.C. and beyond.” The airline’s network will expand after its inaugural Calgary-Vancouver flight.
See LYNX AIRLINES page 3
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Jazz Aviation Top Employer for Young People PG 4
The results of YVR’s 2021 Brand & Community Survey are now available. They reflect positively on the organization’s work to maintain its good standing with the community during a pandemic in which travel and aviation have not always fared well in the court of public opinion. These results are a testament to the work done by the entire YVR team and its part-
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