Message From Larry Berg
PRESIDENT AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
Vancouver Airport Authority
In 2009 we met significant milestones and finalized plans to welcome the world for the 2010 Winter Games—all in a very difficult economic climate. Despite the year’s hurdles, we achieved what we set out to do: we completed several major capital construction projects; enhanced our customer care programs; welcomed the first Canada Line train; and continued to develop YVR as a gateway.
Around the world, airlines and airports felt the impact of the global economic recession. We saw passenger numbers at YVR decrease to 16.2 million—a nine percent decline over 2008. The Airport Authority reacted quickly to the drop in passenger numbers, adjusting our operating and capital spending.
The big event on everyone’s mind in 2009 was the 2010 Winter Games. We knew that the Games would represent a moment when the whole world would be watching; when nothing but the best would do. We practiced our plans and systems during test events and learned some valuable lessons. The first was that athletes don’t travel light – they carry an average of seven bags apiece, many of them oversized – and the second was that as soon as the Olympic flame is extinguished, everyone wants to get home; March 1, 2010 was flagged to be the busiest day in our history.
At the time of this publication, the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games have come to a close and I’m extremely proud of our performance. We delivered a gold medal experience by making the arrivals and departures processes friendly, easy and efficient for Olympic, Paralympic and non-Games customers. Our expanded Green Coat team and other volunteers were visible throughout the terminals helping travellers, our facilities were fully operational, and we handled all the oversized luggage demands seamlessly throughout the Games period.
Amidst all our preparations for the Games, we also completed a number of significant capital projects. As part of our $1.4 billion capital program launched in 2005, we opened six new facilities including the Canada Line rapid transit system, the International Arrivals Public Greeting Area, Link Building Level 3, C-Pier gate expansion and retail area, Public Observation Area and Domestic Terminal restaurant and retail area. They weren’t built specifically for the Games, but our Games-time visitors certainly enjoyed them and they form a lasting legacy for British Columbia.
The Canada Line demonstrated how joint venture partners can come together to achieve a common goal: in this case, to provide a sustainable and efficient public transit system. Since its launch, the Canada Line has higher passenger numbers than anyone expected—and it’s easy to see why. It’s a convenient, affordable and accessible way to travel between Vancouver, Richmond and YVR.
We successfully focused on our gateway strategy, which emphasizes travel to and from, and business with Asia. The result was an open skies agreement with Korea, the Transit without Visa program for nationals of Taiwan, Philippines, Indonesia and Thailand, and a trial Transit without Visa program for China. The Transit without Visa program is an important part of our business strategy as it promotes travel through Vancouver from all parts of Asia to the United States, and encourages airlines to add routes through YVR.
Anyone who walked around Vancouver, Richmond or Whistler in February and March of 2010 can see that the Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games are more than operations and logistics. They’re about people and community. Our success throughout 2009 and during the 2010 Winter Games is a result of the tireless hard work of our employees, the commitment of our volunteers, leadership from our management team, support from our business partners and direction from our Board. I thank everyone for their efforts in delivering a memorable event.
On a personal note, I want to extend my thanks and appreciation to Graham Clarke who is stepping down as the Chair of Vancouver Airport Authority this spring. Graham has always worked to make sure we stay true to our vision of being both a gateway and a local airport authority. Part of that vision is a pride in our province and in working with the community to be a significant contributor to B.C.’s economy.
