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YVR
UNVEILS NEWLY RENOVATED A PIER REFLECTING INDUSTRY
TREND OF LOW-COST, HIGH-VALUE TRAVEL
The
Vancouver International Airport Authority hosted an
open house to give the public a first look at the
$24-million upgrade to the A Pier on the south end
of the Domestic Terminal Building.
The
newly renovated A Pier is 28,000 square feet with
five aircraft gates, and is designed to accommodate
750 departing passengers. It features numerous
shops and services including the Palomino Bar, a
"To Go!" newsstand, three retail carts, a
children's play area and an Alliance Atlantis
Screening Lounge. A Pier's renovations were
undertaken to meet the growing needs of YVR's
domestic carriers, with a focus on the strong
low-cost carrier market.
Low-cost
carriers, which have operated worldwide for more
than 30 years, have become a vital part of the
airline industry, stimulating travel by offering
cost-effective alternatives for domestic fares. In
Canada, low-cost carriers and regional jets
represent the industry's growth segments, and are
continuing to gain market share. In 2002, low-cost
airlines WestJet, Jetsgo, Canjet and Zip had 36 per
cent of the market share in Canada, an increase of
20 per cent over 2000, and this number is expected
to increase to 50 per cent or more in 2004
.
"Carriers
such as WestJet-and newer entrants Jetsgo and
Canjet-have created a whole new industry category
in Canada: the low-cost carrier," said Vancouver
International Airport Authority President and CEO
Larry Berg. "The airport's vision is to remain on
the cutting edge of industry developments, and the
A Pier renovation is another way we are changing
our business to accommodate the new low-cost
carrier model, while continuing to provide the same
high level of service."
One
of these accommodations is the addition of
double-headed bridges on three of A Pier's five
gates. These "over-the-wing" units will allow A
Pier's primary tenant, WestJet, to unload their 737
aircraft from both front and rear doors. Passengers
will be able to board or disembark the aircraft
more quickly, allowing WestJet a faster turnaround
at YVR.
WestJet
is the most successful low-cost carrier in Canada,
and in 2000 was the second most profitable airline
in North America, just after Southwest Airlines.
The airline currently serves nine destinations from
Vancouver International Airport.
Through
a partnership with Alliance Atlantis
Communications, A Pier's WestJet departures area
will include an Alliance Atlantis Screening
Lounge-an airport first. Waiting passengers can
enjoy a destination between destinations with
onscreen entertainment featuring both the latest
movie trailers and behind-the-scenes footage from
Alliance Atlantis* Motion Picture Distribution LP's
upcoming movie releases, and clips of shows from
across Alliance Atlantis' broadcast
channels.
This
compilation of footage will run in a loop, ensuring
that travellers will always have something to watch
as they come and go with new, updated previews and
clips being introduced every month. In addition,
visitors to the lounge will have the on-going
opportunity to win Alliance Atlantis movie passes
and prizing.
As
well as onscreen entertainment, waiting passengers
can enjoy food and beverages at A Pier's new
Palomino Bar, pick up reading material and snacks
for their flight at the To Go! newsstand, or browse
the various retail carts. A children's play area,
designed by local company Straight Line Designs to
resemble an English hedge maze, provides a fun
place for children to amuse themselves while
parents relax.
Low-cost
carriers, like their customers, demand value, and
the Airport Authority continues to provide that
value, keeping costs down while offering the same
high levels of service. Vancouver International
Airport has the lowest landing and terminal fees of
all major airports, and offers customers innovative
services such as Food on the Fly, a program that
allows passengers to purchase food for their
flights from YVR merchants. YVR has also recently
introduced a new common use lounge, the first of
its kind in North America. Located in the
International Terminal building, the lounge offers
all passengers, regardless of airline or class of
travel, a wide range of services and amenities for
a low per-use fee.
Other
renovations to A Pier include: new heating,
ventilation, air conditioning and electrical
systems, seismic upgrading and an interior and
exterior design that matches the Domestic and
International Terminal Buildings, and imparts an
open and airy feel to the space.
Work
on A Pier began November 2002, and its completion
marks the latest of the Airport Authority's capital
projects delivered on time and on budget. The
Airport Authority's recently announced $1.4-billion
capital program will ensure YVR continues to
provide cutting edge facilities and services to
meet the growing demand for low-cost, high-value
air travel.
About
Vancouver International Airport
Authority
The
Airport Authority is a community-based,
not-for-profit organization that operates Vancouver
International Airport (YVR). The second largest
international passenger gateway on the West Coast
of North America, YVR welcomed 14.3 million
passengers in 2003.
For
more information:
Ali
Hounsell
Vancouver International Airport Authority
604.880.9815
YVR Web
Site
www.yvr.ca
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