Today, Vancouver International Airport / Aéroport international de Vancouver (YVR) is celebrating the inaugural flight of Air Canada Rouge’s new route between YVR and San Diego International Airport (SAN). The nonstop service will depart YVR daily for the busy summer months and is currently the only service to this market.
“Air Canada Rouge’s new route provides travellers with the much needed connection between the two vibrant cities,” said Craig Richmond, President and CEO, Vancouver Airport Authority. “This new route demonstrates Air Canada’s continued commitment to growing its western hub at YVR.”
Air Canada Rouge will operate the service using an Airbus A319 with seat capacity for 136 passengers. This new seasonal service will benefit the local economy by creating 49 new jobs in the transportation and tourism sectors, $2.1 million in wages and approximately $3.8million in Gross Domestic Product for the province of British Columbia.
“Air Canada Rouge is excited to bring our hallmark customer service excellence to daily flights between Vancouver and San Diego,” said Craig Landry, President, Air Canada Leisure Group. “We offer the largest network of convenient connections in Vancouver to San Diego along with a host of benefits that come with being part of the Air Canada family, including Aeroplan accumulation and redemption, and for eligible customers, priority check-in, Maple Leaf Lounge access, priority boarding and more.”
San Diego is the eighth largest city in the U.S. and is known for its beaches, parks and warm climate. The city has a robust tourism industry and enjoys 34.3 million visitors a year.
“California is a key tourism market for Vancouver, and this year we have significantly stepped up marketing in that region,” said Ty Speer, President and CEO, Tourism Vancouver. “Air Canada Rouge’s new service supports these efforts while strengthening the connection between Vancouver and our U.S. neighbours.”
New services such as this are made possible thanks to YVR’s new five-year rates and charges program, ConnectYVR. The program provides a highly competitive rate structure and includes rates lower than any other major airport in Canada and competing US airports.