With more than two million passengers – 200,000 more than last year and 99 percent of 2019 – set to travel through Vancouver International Airport this month, the facility says it has been working all year to improvement the traveller experience at YVR to ensure there is no repeat of last year’s “challenges” during the holiday travel period, typically the busiest week of the year.

The airport says it has been proactively “turning lessons learned into actionable plans” over the past 11 months, with collaborative work done in virtually every area of YVR’s operation. It was a plan set out following a review of the well-publicized problems (delays, long lines, weather, etc.) at the airport completed in January.

“The After-Action Review clearly lays out a roadmap to improve resiliency and better support passengers during major weather events,” says Vancouver International Airport President & CEO Tamara Vrooman. “We listened carefully to what the public told us during the Review.  While they recognize aviation is a complex ecosystem, the public asked YVR to take a bigger role to ensure they get the information and support they need in times of disruption.  As a result, YVR has invested $40 million in over 130 initiatives across the airport.”

Among the improvements made are:

• Installation of real-time weather monitoring equipment
• New gating and towing protocols to ensure arriving aircraft have access to gates within 30 minutes
• Adding more front-line staff to support passengers 24/7
• Investing in technology to assist airlines in getting inbound bags back to their passengers
• Use of digital sensors to enable more efficient passenger flow, and
• Implementing new digital tools to help passengers save time throughout the travel process.
• YVR has taken a lead role in providing more reliable and consistent information to travellers.

Additionally, during a major snowstorm, YVR will use over 100 pieces of snow removal equipment to keep runways, taxiways, and aprons safe for aircraft and passengers. In addition to this, aircraft de-icing services, which are provided by Aero MAG, now include five new electric de-icing vehicles which have been added to the existing fleet of 24 de-icing trucks.

Tips for travel

Meanwhile, the airport suggests the following tips to make travel through YVR smoother:

• Book security screening in advance: YVR EXPRESS can be used to reserve a spot at security screening. YVR EXPRESS is available for those flying within Canada or to the US and allows travellers to pre-book a spot up to 72 hours before your flight.
• Pack smart: Follow all Canadian Air Transport Security Authority (CATSA) baggage requirements. Remember: liquids, gels and aerosols still need to be in containers that are less than 100 millilitres, and be packaged into one transparent, closed, and resealable plastic bag that is under one litre. Avoid wrapping holiday gifts _–contents may need to be inspected during the screening progress for both carry-on and checked baggage.
• Arrive early: Travellers are encouraged to arrive at least two hours in advance of domestic flights, and three hours in advance of US and international flights. Be sure to build in extra time on your way to the airport in case of inclement weather, traffic, or other unexpected issues.
• Plan your route to the airport: Consider taking Canada Line to YVR – it can get you from downtown to the terminal door in 30 minutes or less! Driving to YVR? Be sure to pre-book parking.
• Use your smartphone to speed up your time in line: Travellers heading to the US can submit passport and customs declaration information through the secure Mobile Passport Control app in advance of their trip. Those returning from the US or an international destination can submit their customs information in advance using the ArriveCAN app. Upon arrival into YVR, follow signs for Advance CBSA Declaration Express Lanes to move through the customs process more quickly.
• Got questions? From curb to sky, staff are available for support, including curbside upon arrival. Once inside the terminal, YVR Guest Experience team members or Green Coat volunteers are stationed at information Counters and throughout the terminal.

The airport predicts the busiest days of holiday travel will be Dec. 20, 21 and 22. More information, including real-time updates can be found at news.yvr.ca.