We are thrilled to share the results from a busy summer travel season full of operational accomplishments throughout our airport. We welcomed over 7.1 million passengers from July through September. This represents a 21.7 percent increase compared to the same period last year, and it's on par with our pre-pandemic numbers in 2019.
August, in particular, stood out as YVR's busiest month of the summer. During B.C. Day weekend, we saw 328,422 passengers from Friday, August 4 to Monday, August 7.
Our summer travel passenger increase is largely made possible by the expanded services provided by our valued airline partners. Notably, Air Canada has continued to contribute significantly to our growth, introducing new destinations like Miami and Washington Dulles. Plus, we're excited about direct service to Dubai, which will be taking off in October 2023, opening exciting new horizons for our passengers.
At YVR, we are passionate about enhancing your travel experience and ensuring that our values of safety, innovation, teamwork, and accountability are at the core of everything we do. This summer, our dedicated team and the entire YVR community have worked tirelessly to make your journey through the airport smoother and more enjoyable.
During this bustling season, we connected more passengers to more destinations. Additionally, we acted swiftly to support our community during one of British Columbia's most challenging wildfire seasons. We are proud of the partnerships we've forged and the work we've undertaken with the Musqueam Nation to strengthen our commitment to the region.
Let's take a moment to highlight some key numbers and activities that underscore the achievements from our busy summer travel season:
Flights: YVR welcomed a total of 59,796 arriving and departing flights, all serviced by our 110 airline partners.
Baggage Handling: Our dedicated team processed more than 2.5 million outbound bags, ensuring your luggage reached its destination safely and promptly.
Digital Tools: The airport saw strong uptake of its new digital tools. YVR Express was used by 76,789 departing passengers, representing approximately 10 per cent of travellers flying during the service’s operating hours. YVR’s Passenger Journey Tool logged nearly 527,000 views.
Community Support and Partnerships
YVR is not just an airport; we are an integral part of the community. In July, we raised and donated a total of $50,000 for wildfire relief efforts in British Columbia and the Northwest Territories. We also played a crucial role in facilitating medical and evacuation flights from B.C. and N.W.T., providing vital support during challenging times.
In August, we proudly opened our Musqueam Gathering Place, which was accompanied by the unveiling of a hand-crafted 30-foot ocean-going canoe, a symbol of our commitment to nurturing cultural connections.
Throughout the summer, YVR hosted two Musqueam Marketplace events in the terminal, showcasing the talent of local Indigenous artisans and makers. We also introduced Purebread, a beloved local bakery, adding to our other regional offerings, including Salmon N’Bannock On The Fly, Dirty Apron, and Pacific Farms Market. Our aim is to continually elevate the shopping and dining experience for passengers, employees, and the entire community.
As we look forward to the future, we encourage all travellers to plan ahead, arrive early, and leverage YVR's digital tools to help streamline your travel journey. Visit YVR.ca/TravelPlanning for more tips and information for your next trip.