Vancouver YVR
YVR and Unity accelerate digital transformation in aviation with YVR’s Digital Twin platform
March 16, 2023 · Richmond, B.C.
Today, Vancouver International Airport (YVR) and Unity (NYSE: U), signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to commercialize YVR’s Digital Twin powered by Unity, for the global aviation industry. This strategic collaboration aims to bring YVR’s Digital Twin model to the broader aviation market so other airports can advance their digital transformation.
YVR’s Digital Twin is the first major product out of YVR’s Innovation Hub which was launched in 2021 as a people-first technology to advance the airport’s vision to power the future through innovation and sustainable technology solutions. It’s a powerful tool that facilitates optimization, future planning, simulation, training, testing, and more by aggregating and visualizing data across disparate sources. Through the integration of sensors, historical and real-time data into the platform, the Digital Twin strategically presents key information in 2D and 3D, enabling data-driven decision-making and collaboration which has never been available before.
“From the beginning, YVR’s Digital Twin has been centered around our people – employees, passengers and the community,” said Lynette DuJohn, VP of Innovation and CIO at Vancouver Airport Authority. “In bringing our Digital Twin to the global aviation market, we look forward to working with other airports, and industry partners, to positively transform the way they serve their passengers through the possibilities this exciting technology offers.”
This big step wouldn’t be possible without the support of the airport’s partner Unity – the world’s leading platform for creating and growing interactive, real-time 3D (RT3D) content and its professional service group, Accelerate Solutions.
“I am very excited about Unity and YVR’s joint go-to-market plan for an airport Digital Twin platform,” said Ryan Peterson, VP, Accelerate Solutions, at Unity. “The last three years have seen a tremendous amount of collaboration, boldness and vision from both organizations, and I believe this Digital Twin platform can provide incredible value to airports around the world. Accelerating aviation’s digital transformation will have a massive, positive impact on our society, with the goal of driving efficiencies in the transport of people and goods.”
Since 2021, the YVR Digital Twin platform has addressed various operational challenges amid changing aviation and travel realities. During the 2022 peak summer travel season, YVR’s Guest Experience Team used the Digital Twin to relieve passenger congestion at security checkpoints. To support YVR’s decarbonization goals and help the aviation industry reach net zero emissions by 2030, YVR is working in collaboration with carrier partners to build a greenhouse gas calculation model that monitors, maps out and analyzes more efficient aircraft movements with the aim to reduce airside emissions.
As part of its reconciliation efforts, YVR will provide access to training opportunities to Musqueam students through a Unity certification program designed to advance future career placements within the digital twin and gaming industries. YVR and Musqueam are located in the same community on land that is Musqueam traditional territory. YVR is also exploring the possibilities in digitizing the airport’s extensive Indigenous art collection, so as to share Indigenous culture, art and language with the world.
YVR has a long history of designing industry-leading travel technology to transform the passenger experience, deliver operational efficiencies and bring these solutions to airports globally, most recently with its BORDERXPRESS kiosks. In the coming months, YVR will be working closely with airports and sector partners to advance digital twin technology and make it available to partners in Canada and around the world.
ABOUT YVR
Vancouver International Airport (YVR) is a diverse global hub that connects people, cargo, data, and ideas and serves as a platform for our community to come together and thrive. We are motivated by supporting regional economic development and making a positive difference in the lives of British Columbians. We do this with a focus on serving our passengers, partners, workers, and community through digital modernization, climate leadership, reconciliation, and financial sustainability.
Pacific Coastal Airlines says it’s suspending Vancouver-Cranbrook service due to staff shortages
YVR reminds passengers to use travel tech during busy Spring Break season
March 8, 2023 · Musqueam Territory/Richmond, B.C.
As travellers prepare to activate vacation mode over the Spring Break period, Vancouver International Airport (YVR) is providing an update on passenger numbers and most popular destinations as well as travel reminders to help passengers prepare for a seamless journey through the airport.
Between March 10 – 24, YVR is expecting 880,573 passengers to travel through the airport. This represents 88 per cent of passenger levels seen in 2019, when 1,000,293 passengers travelled during that same period.
During this period, YVR is expecting an average of 58,705 passengers per day with March 24 and 15 projected as the busiest dates.
The most popular destinations passengers are travelling to over the Spring Break period are:
- Domestic: Toronto (YYZ), Calgary (YYC), Edmonton (YEG)
- US: Los Angeles (LAX), San Francisco (SFO), Kahului (OGG), Honolulu (HNL), Las Vegas (LAS)
- International: Hong Kong (HKG), Cancun (CUN), Tokyo (NRT), Delhi (DEL), London (LHR)
YVR continues to work closely with the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority (CATSA) and its many partners to deliver a safe and seamless experience for passengers. The airport will also continue to use innovative technology such as its Digital Twin to monitor passenger volumes and airfield capacity and make real-time data-driven decisions that help streamline operations and passenger flows.
The airport continues to recommend that passengers arrive early—up to two hours ahead of scheduled domestic flights and three hours ahead for U.S. and international flights.
Passengers are also encouraged to leverage travel technologies to further enhance their journey through YVR.
For departing travellers:
- US Customs Mobile Passport Control (MPC) app: US Customs and Border Protection released the MPC app that allows travellers to submit information digitally prior to moving through the border process. By using the app, travellers may experience shorter wait times, less congestion, and efficient processing.
- YVR EXPRESS: Passengers travelling domestically or to the U.S. have the option to schedule a specific time for security screening up to 72 hours in advance of their flight by using YVR EXPRESS. After booking on yvr.ca/express, passengers can look for the signage at either ABC Checkpoint (Domestic Departures) or Security Checkpoint E (US Departures).
- jetSet valet parking: Having a parking plan is an important step to consider before driving to YVR. Passengers travelling to the airport by car are now able to reserve their spot for jetSet’s 24/7 valet parking facility at yvr.ca/parking. Customers can enjoy the complementary 24/7 round-trip shuttle service to the Main Terminal.For arriving travellers:
- ArriveCAN app: By using the ArriveCAN app to submit customs and immigration declarations in advance of arrival, travellers will gain access to the Advance CBSA Declaration express lanes at the airport when they arrive in Canada and save time through the border clearance process.
For those picking up a traveller arriving from within Canada, passenger pickup has been temporarily relocated to Level 1 to make way for roadway and sidewalk improvements happening on Level 2.
For the latest travel information, visit yvr.ca or follow the airport on Twitter: @YVRAirport or @YVRAeroport.
ABOUT YVR
Vancouver International Airport (YVR) is a diverse global hub that connects people, cargo, data, and ideas and serves as a platform for our community to come together and thrive. We are motivated by supporting regional economic development and making a positive difference in the lives of British Columbians. We do this with a focus on serving our passengers, partners, workers, and community through digital modernization, climate leadership, reconciliation, and financial sustainability.
Winter 2023 heats up with release of Flair Airlines Winter Schedule
- Winter 2023 will see an expansion in Las Vegas with the addition of service from Ottawa and Calgary
- Existing Phoenix service will move from Phoenix-Mesa to Sky Harbor and new route from Calgary to begin in October
- Majority of Winter 2023 capacity to be international or transborder
EDMONTON, AB, March 7, 2023 /CNW/ – Today, Flair Airlines, Canada’s everyday low fare airline, announces the release of an exciting winter 2023 schedule. The schedule features added depth across the network to give customers more choice, particularly to sunshine, at low fares.
Today’s announcement includes several new routes, including Toronto to Puerto Vallarta (beginning October 29, 4x weekly), Kitchener-Waterloo to Puerto Vallarta (beginning December 16, 3x weekly), Calgary to Las Vegas (beginning October 30, 7x weekly), and Calgary to Phoenix (beginning October 30, 4x weekly). Flair will also be the only carrier to serve Ottawa to Las Vegas (beginning October 13, 2x weekly).
Existing service from Vancouver and Edmonton to Phoenix will move to Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport for the season, along with the new service from Calgary to Phoenix.
“With today’s exciting announcement, we are reaffirming our commitment to Canadians,” said Stephen Jones, President and Chief Executive Officer, Flair Airlines. “Our network offers more choice to more sun destinations than ever before. Rather than one reprieve from winter, we look forward to Canadians taking the opportunity to try all of the amazing destinations in our network.”
“We’ve optimized our network this winter to match demand for sun. It’s clear that Canadians want more affordable options for sun, more often,” said Garth Lund, Chief Commercial Officer, Flair Airlines. “We’ve focused on adding depth to our network by increasing frequencies on popular routes. We’ll now have daily service various routes, including Vancouver to Los Angeles and Toronto to Orlando to make it easier for Canadians to plan their winter travel.”
One-way fares at flyflair.com begin at $9 one way including taxes and fees (Thunder Bay to Toronto). Limited seats for a limited time. Flights are available for booking at flyflair.com.
All routes, including the winter schedule, are now on sale for 20% off base fare with code: SAVE20. Sale starts on March 7 and ends on March 9, 2023, for travel from March 7, 2023, to March 14, 2024. Terms and conditions apply. Limited seats for a limited time. *
About Flair Airlines
Flair Airlines is Canada’s leading low-fare airline and its greenest airline, on a mission to provide affordable air travel that connects them to the people and experiences they love. With an expanding fleet of Boeing 737 aircraft, Flair is growing to serve over 35 cities across Canada, the U.S., and Mexico. For more information, please visit www.flyflair.com.
*Use promo code: SAVE20. Limited seats for a limited time. Base fare only. Taxes and fees not included. Sale start: March 7, 2023. Sale end: March 9, 2023. Blackout dates: April 6 – April 7, 2023; April 10, 2023; May 18 – May 19, 2023; May 22 – May 23, 2023; June 30, 2023; September 1 – September 4, 2023; October 6 – October 9, 2023; November 10 – November 13, 2023; December 15, 2023 – January 7, 2024; February 15 – February 20, 2024.
Winter 2023 Weekly Frequencies
Transborder
- Toronto (YYZ) – Fort Lauderdale (FLL): 14x weekly
- Vancouver (YVR) – Los Angeles (LAX): 7x weekly
- Toronto (YYZ) – New York (JFK): 4X weekly
- Toronto (YYZ) – Las Vegas (LAS): 4x weekly
- Vancouver (YVR) – San Francisco (SFO): 4x weekly
- Ottawa (YOW) – Fort Lauderdale (FLL): 4x weekly
- Toronto (YYZ) – Orlando (SFB): 7x weekly
- Vancouver (YVR) – Las Vegas (LAS): 7x weekly
- Edmonton (YEG) – Las Vegas (LAS): 4x weekly
- Kitchener-Waterloo (YKF) – Fort Lauderdale (FLL): 4x weekly
- Vancouver (YVR) – Phoenix (PHX): 3x weekly
- Calgary (YYC) – Phoenix (PHX): 4x weekly
- Calgary (YYC) – Las Vegas (LAS): 7x weekly
- Kitchener-Waterloo (YKF) – Orlando (SFB): 4x weekly
- Edmonton (YEG) – Los Angeles (LAX): 3x weekly
- Edmonton (YEG) – Phoenix (PHX): 4x weekly
- Ottawa (YOW) – Orlando (SFB): 4x weekly
- Ottawa (YOW) – Las Vegas (LAS): 2x weekly
International
- Vancouver (YVR) – Puerto Vallarta (PVR): 9x weekly
- Toronto (YYZ) – Cancun (CUN): 10x weekly
- Toronto (YYZ) – Puerto Vallarta (PVR): 4x weekly
- Edmonton (YEG) – Puerto Vallarta (PVR): 3x weekly
- Abbotsford (YXX) – Puerto Vallarta (PVR): 3x weekly
- Calgary (YYC) – Puerto Vallarta (PVR): 6x weekly
- Kitchener-Waterloo (YKF) – Cancun (CUN) 4x weekly
- Vancouver (YVR) – Los Cabos (SJD): 3x weekly
- Ottawa (YOW) – Cancun (CUN): 3x weekly
- Edmonton (YEG) – Los Cabos (SJD): 1x weekly
- Calgary (YYC) – Los Cabos (SJD): 1x weekly
- Abbotsford (YXX) – Los Cabos (SJD): 1x weekly
- Kitchener-Waterloo (YKF) – Puerto Vallarta (PVR): 3x weekly
Domestic
- Toronto (YYZ) – Vancouver (YVR): 15x weekly
- Toronto (YYZ) – Calgary (YYC): 11x weekly
- Edmonton (YEG) – Abbotsford (YXX): 14x weekly
- Edmonton (YEG) – Vancouver (YVR): 14X weekly
- Abbotsford (YXX) – Calgary (YYC): 14x weekly
- Vancouver (YVR) – Calgary (YYC): 14x weekly
- Edmonton (YEG) – Kelowna (YLW): 11x weekly
- Winnipeg (YWG) – Toronto (YYZ): 10x weekly
- Kelowna (YLW) – Calgary (YYC): 7x weekly
- Kelowna (YLW) – Vancouver (YVR): 7x weekly
- Montreal (YUL) – Vancouver (YVR): 5x weekly
- Edmonton (YEG) – Toronto (YYZ): 7x weekly
- Abbotsford (YXX) – Toronto (YYZ): 7x weekly
- Kitchener-Waterloo (YKF) – Vancouver (YVR): 4x weekly
- Edmonton (YEG) – Winnipeg (YWG): 4x weekly
- Winnipeg (YWG) – Calgary (YYC): 4x weekly
- Saskatoon (YXE) – Calgary (YYC): 3x weekly
- Vancouver (YVR) – Winnipeg (YWG): 3x weekly
- Montreal (YUL) – Calgary (YYC): 3x weekly
- Halifax (YHZ) – Ottawa (YOW): 4x weekly
- Vancouver (YVR) – Saskatoon (YXE): 3x weekly
- Saskatoon (YXE) – Toronto (YYZ): 3x weekly
- Calgary (YYC) – Victoria (YYJ): 3x weekly
- Edmonton (YEG) – Montreal (YUL): 4x weekly
- Ottawa (YOW) – Vancouver (YVR): 2x weekly
- Kitchener-Waterloo – Calgary (YYC): 3x weekly
- Halifax (YHZ) – Kitchener-Waterloo (YKF): 2x weekly
- Kitchener-Waterloo (YKF) – Abbotsford (YXX): 3x weekly
- Ottawa (YOW) – Calgary (YYC): 3x weekly
- Kitchener-Waterloo (YKF) – Winnipeg (YWG): 2x weekly
- Edmonton (YEG) – Victoria (YYJ): 3x weekly
WestJet brings more seats and increased flight frequencies to summer schedule
Airline bolsters ambitious growth strategy with increased options for guests to travel across summer network
CALGARY, AB, March 6, 2023 /CNW/ – WestJet today announced significant increases to its summer schedule bringing more seats and additional flight frequencies to popular routes across its network. With nearly 600 daily departures during peak travel days, WestJet’s summer schedule enhancements will bring more opportunities for Canadians to travel seamlessly across the airline’s domestic, transborder and international network this summer.
“Providing our guests with even more opportunity to travel across our network this summer comes as a result of a thoughtfully designed schedule that balances the high demand for travel alongside a reliable and resilient operation,” said John Weatherill, WestJet Group Executive Vice President & Chief Commercial Officer. “With more seats available for booking and added capacity on popular routes, our summer schedule reflects a strengthened commitment to providing seamless domestic and transborder connectivity for our guests.”
Highlights of WestJet’s summer schedule increases over 2022:
- 64 per cent increase in seat capacity to/from Regina
- 46 per cent increase in seat capacity to/from Saskatoon
- 44 per cent increase in seat capacity to/from Edmonton
- 42 per cent increase in seat capacity to/from Winnipeg
- 27 per cent increase in seat capacity to/from Calgary
- 13 per cent increase in seat capacity to/from Kelowna
- 5 per cent increase in seat capacity to/from Vancouver
Enhanced flight frequencies across popular domestic and transborder routes:
| Route | 2023 peak summer frequency | 2022 peak summer frequency |
| Edmonton – Las Vegas | 11x weekly | 4x weekly |
| Edmonton – Los Angeles | 7x weekly | 4x weekly |
| Calgary – Denver | 4x weekly | 2x weekly |
| Calgary – Houston | 13x weekly | 7x weekly |
| Calgary – New York (JFK) | 7x weekly | 4x weekly |
| Vancouver – Saskatoon | 7x weekly | 4x weekly |
| Vancouver – Ottawa | 11x weekly | 5x weekly |
| Calgary – Yellowknife | 14x weekly | 7x weekly |
| Calgary – Windsor | 7x weekly | 3x weekly |
| Calgary – London, Ont. | 14x weekly | 7x weekly |
| Calgary – Montreal | 20x weekly | 13x weekly |
| Edmonton – Kelowna | 35x weekly | 27x weekly |
| Edmonton – Winnipeg | 20x weekly | 6x weekly |
| Edmonton – Yellowknife | 7x weekly | 3x weekly |
| Edmonton – Saskatoon | 14x weekly | 6x weekly |
| Edmonton – Regina | 14x weekly | 6x weekly |
| Edmonton – Victoria | 20x weekly | 13x weekly |
| Edmonton – Halifax | 13x weekly | 7x weekly |
| Winnipeg – Thunder Bay | 13x weekly | 7x weekly |
| Winnipeg – Saskatoon | 12x weekly | 7x weekly |
About WestJet
In 27 years of serving Canadians, WestJet has cut airfares in half and increased the flying population in Canada to more than 50 per cent. WestJet launched in 1996 with three aircraft, 250 employees and five destinations, growing over the years to more than 180 aircraft, 14,000 employees and more than 110 destinations in 24 countries.
For more information about everything WestJet, please visit westjet.com.
Recent recognition includes:
2020/2019 Number-One Ranked Canadian Airline Loyalty Program in Member Engagement (Bond Brand Loyalty)
2019/2018/2017 Best Airline in Canada (TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice awards for Airlines)
2019 Winner Among Mid-Sized Airlines in North America (TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice awards for Airlines)
2019/2018 Number-One-Ranked Airline Credit Card in Canada (Rewards Canada)
Air Canada warns about delays, possible cancellations at YVR ahead of snow
Air Canada and United Airlines to Offer More than 260 Daily Transborder Flights and Two New Routes this Summer
United and Air Canada to increase summer capacity by more than 20% with new non-stop flights between Washington-Dulles and Vancouver and Calgary
MONTREAL and CHICAGO, Feb. 23, 2023 /CNW/ – Air Canada and United Airlines announced today that, through their enhanced transborder joint business agreement, they will offer industry leading capacity and new routes between Canada and the U.S. for summer 2023 – including a new United-operated flight between Washington-Dulles and Calgary and a new Air Canada-operated flight between Washington-Dulles and Vancouver. The carriers have collaboratively optimized their schedules, subject to applicable government and regulatory conditions, and added more flights to provide customers greater connectivity and more flexible flight times, with over 80 transborder codeshare routes and more than 260 daily flights.
“Through our longstanding partnership with United Airlines, Air Canada has been able to offer customers ever-increasing and significant benefits. This summer, customers will have even greater choice and convenience with our joint summer schedule made possible by our airlines’ new enhanced transborder agreement. Together we will offer more than 260 daily departures to the U.S, and new non-stop flights from Vancouver and Calgary to Washington-Dulles,” said Mark Galardo, Senior Vice President Network Planning and Revenue Management at Air Canada. “Our coordinated schedules will provide business travelers with the convenience of hourly service and the additional comfort of a business cabin on all flights between Toronto and New York and Chicago, as well as Vancouver and San Francisco.”
“We’re proud of our continued work with Air Canada to provide customers with even greater transborder connectivity, including adding more flights and new direct service to Calgary and Vancouver from Washington Dulles,” said Patrick Quayle, Senior Vice President of Global Network Planning and Alliances at United Airlines. “With schedules designed to give customers more flexibility with timing and more convenient connection options, as well as the ability to enjoy the benefits of both airlines’ loyalty programs, our agreement with Air Canada makes United the premier U.S. airline for travel to Canada.”
New Non-stop Flights Between Vancouver, Calgary and Washington
New, non-stop service between Vancouver and Washington-Dulles will begin June 1 and will be operated with an Air Canada Boeing 737 Max 8. United will also introduce a new, non-stop flight between Calgary and Washington-Dulles on June 2 on an Airbus 319. Air Canada and United will codeshare on these flights, allowing Aeroplan or MileagePlus® members to accumulate and redeem miles. Eligible customers and loyalty plan members will also be able to enjoy benefits including priority check-in, lounge access, priority boarding and other benefits where available.
| Flight | Departs | Arrives | Frequency |
| AC 1036 | Vancouver 8:15 | Washington 16:16 | Mon, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sun |
| AC 1037 | Washington 17:10 | Vancouver 20:01 | Mon, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sun |
| UA 2221 | Calgary 13:30 | Washington 19:54 | Daily |
| UA 1125 | Washington 9:00 | Calgary 11:59 | Daily |
Transborder Schedule
The two carriers will operate more than 260 daily transborder departures in summer 2023, about a 20 percent increase in schedule capacity compared to summer 2022. The schedule will include up to 120 daily departures between the airlines’ hub markets, an increase from 101 in summer 2021. Flights will be timed to offer optimized connections at both Air Canada and United’s hubs and line stations.
Shuttle-Style Schedule
The coordinated schedule will enable both carriers to offer shuttle-style hourly service throughout the day between key Air Canada and United hubs. The airlines will offer 29 daily flights with complementary timings between Toronto and New York/Newark and Chicago, and 11 daily flights between Vancouver and San Francisco.
| Route | Frequency | First Departure | Last Departure |
| Toronto-Chicago | 13- times Daily | 06:30 | 21:15 |
| Chicago-Toronto | 07:10 | 21:15 | |
| Toronto-New York/Newark | 16-times Daily | 06:15 | 21:00 |
| New York/Newark-Toronto | 06:00 | 20:15 | |
| Vancouver-San Francisco | 11-times Daily | 07:00 | 21:00 |
| San Francisco-Vancouver | 06:45 | 21:00 |
Enhanced Western Canada Network to the U.S.
The airlines’ summer schedule also provides increased transborder service between the U.S. and Western Canada. There will be nine daily flights between Vancouver and New York/Newark, Houston and Chicago, and seven flights daily between Los Angeles and Vancouver. A second daily flight will be added between Calgary and both Chicago and Houston, and a second daily flight will also be added from Edmonton to Denver.
Customer Experience
Air Canada and United will offer business class seats on every flight between their respective hubs. All eligible customers will be able to enjoy Air Canada’s Maple Leaf Lounges and United’s lounges, as well as the benefits of the carriers’ Aeroplan and MileagePlus® loyalty programs. Additionally, customers will have a wider range of flight options with more than 80 transborder codeshare routes. Overall, customers will be able to connect to over 100 codeshare destinations in the U.S. and 25 of the most popular cities in Canada.
Building on a Long-Standing Partnership
In July 2022, Air Canada and United announced a joint business agreement for the Canada-U.S. transborder market, building on their long-standing partnership that will give more flight options and better flight schedules to customers traveling between the two countries (coordination subject to regulatory conditions). Air Canada and United are also founding members of Star Alliance and a transatlantic joint business agreement with the Lufthansa Group.
In 2019, the U.S.-Canada transborder market was the second largest international passenger air transportation market in the world and the largest international market for both Canada and the U.S., as measured by seats.
About Air Canada
Air Canada is Canada’s largest airline, the country’s flag carrier and a founding member of Star Alliance, the world’s most comprehensive air transportation network. Air Canada provides scheduled passenger service directly to 51 airports in Canada, 51 in the United States and 88 internationally. It holds a Four-Star ranking from Skytrax. Air Canada’s Aeroplan program is Canada’s premier travel loyalty program, where members can earn or redeem points on the world’s largest airline partner network of 45 airlines, plus through an extensive range of merchandise, hotel and car rental rewards. Its freight division, Air Canada Cargo, provides air freight lift and connectivity to hundreds of destinations across six continents using Air Canada’s passenger flights and cargo-only flights with its fleet of Boeing 767-300 freighters. Air Canada has committed to a net zero emissions goal from all global operations by 2050.
About United
United’s shared purpose is “Connecting People. Uniting the World.” From our U.S. hubs in Chicago, Denver, Houston, Los Angeles, New York/Newark, San Francisco and Washington, D.C., United operates the most comprehensive global route network among North American carriers. United is bringing back our customers’ favorite destinations and adding new ones on its way to becoming the world’s best airline. For more about how to join the United team, please visit www.united.com/careers and more information about the company is at www.united.com. United Airlines Holdings, Inc., the parent company of United Airlines, Inc., is traded on the Nasdaq under the symbol “UAL”.
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