YVR Celebrates Decade of Success with Historic Skytrax Win

YVR named Best Airport in North America for tenth consecutive year

RICHMOND, BC, April 1, 2019 /CNW/ - 

NOTE TO EDITORS AND PRODUCERS: a media package including images and b-roll from today's event will be available here at 3 p.m. PDT.  

Today, Vancouver International Airport (YVR) celebrated being named Best Airport in North America for a record 10 years in a row by the Skytrax World Airport Awards. The Skytrax Awards are recognized as the global benchmark of airport excellence with more than 13.5 million completed questionnaires, making it the largest annual global airport customer satisfaction survey.

"To be recognized as Best Airport in North America for a decade is an honour—one we share with our partners and the people who work on Sea Island," said Craig Richmond, President & CEO, Vancouver Airport Authority. "YVR is the 24,000 individuals—the baggage handlers, the screening officers, the first responders—who come to work every day and make Sea Island a place worthy of being recognized as the best in North America. It is because of their hard work and passion that we continue to connect British Columbia proudly to the world, contributing to the success of this city, province and country."

YVR plays a significant role in the local, provincial and national economy, supporting a broad range of jobs and driving business activity. The airport's record growth, which included 25.9 million passengers and 338,000 tonnes of cargo in 2018, is made possible by the 24,000 people who work on Sea Island. YVR's operations, together with tourism and cargo, contribute more than $16 billion in total economic output, $8.4 billion in GDP and $1.4 billion in government revenue across the province.

"We congratulate Vancouver International Airport for their success in winning this important customer satisfaction award for 2019, made more outstanding due to the fact that this is the tenth consecutive year Vancouver has scooped this major award," said Edward Plaisted, CEO of Skytrax. "The Best Airport in North America award recognizes the combined quality of an airport's product facilities and staff service provided to customers. As airports seek to develop and maximize customer loyalty and repeat business, providing guests with the best facilities and staff service requires motivation, enthusiasm and team work, and this is evidently being well provided here at Vancouver International Airport."

The Best Airport in North America accolade highlights the strength of YVR's unique not-for-profit operating model, which ensures that all revenue generated is reinvested back into airport operations, maintenance and future projects to the benefit of its customers, partners and community. Vancouver Airport Authority, the organization that manages YVR, receives no government funding and is accountable to the community through a mandate that stipulates the operation of a safe, efficient and reliable airport. 

This award comes at a time of unprecedented growth for the airport, with YVR reaching its 25 million passenger milestone two years ahead of forecast. To facilitate recent and projected growth, YVR is investing in 75 major capital improvement projects scheduled over the next 20 years. Once complete, the expansion will enhance the airport experience, improve the speed and ease of passenger and bag movements, and further YVR's position as a leading world class sustainable hub airport.

YVR ranked seventeenth overall and second for Best Airport Staff in North America. In addition, Fairmont Vancouver Airport was voted Best Airport Hotel in North America. For more information about the awards, visit worldairportawards.com. 

ABOUT VANCOUVER AIRPORT AUTHORITY
Vancouver Airport Authority is a community-based, not-for-profit organization that manages Vancouver International Airport (YVR). Canada's second busiest airport, YVR served 25.9 million passengers in 2018. Fifty-six airlines serve YVR, connecting people and businesses to more than 125 non-stop destinations worldwide. In 2019, YVR was voted Best Airport in North America for the tenth consecutive year in the Skytrax World Airport Awards. Vancouver Airport Authority is a dedicated community partner and in 2018 donated more than $1,000,000 to local organizations. We are committed to creating an airport that British Columbia can be proud of: a premier global gateway, local economic generator and community contributor.

SOURCE Vancouver Airport Authority