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Victoria International Airport (YYJ)


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#6581 vortoozo

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Posted 28 February 2023 - 01:31 AM

That'll leave only Flair and Westjet. Slim pickings.

 

Lynx is only twice a week. Not a huge impact if the rumour is true.

WS is 4-5x per day, and Flair is up to daily by May. Up to 6x flights a day, mostly on 737 is plenty for that route.

Air Canada is also an option via YVR.



#6582 Mike K.

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Posted 28 February 2023 - 11:51 AM

Geoff Dickson will be retiring from the VAA:

 

Victoria Airport Authority (VAA) today announced that Geoff Dickson, President and CEO, has advised the Board of Directors of his plans to retire in September 2023 after 12 years of leading the organization. The Board of Directors will engage an executive search firm to recruit the next President and CEO.

 

“Under Geoff’s leadership, Victoria Airport Authority created an exceptional airport, championed environmental initiatives, and prudently developed airport lands to diversify revenue and create jobs for the community,” said Cathie Ounsted, Chair of the Board of Directors. “During Geoff’s tenure, VAA has received several diverse awards, including BC’s Top 100 Employers (since 2020), Airports Council International Best Regional Airport North America (3 times), and the Air Transport Research Society Most Financially Efficient Airport in North America under 5 million passengers (4 times). His steady leadership in navigating the pandemic with no staff lay-offs ensured VAA was well positioned for recovery.  On behalf of the Board, I would like to thank Geoff for his vision and leadership and wish him all the best in his retirement.”

 

From 2011 until the onset of the pandemic in 2020, YYJ was one of the fastest-growing airports in the country with close to a 40% increase in passenger volumes. Ambitious capital programs were implemented to modernize the terminal building, increase airfield capacity, improve runway safety, and add community amenities such as a 9 km multi-use trail around the airport. These capital programs were completed while ensuring VAA remained debt-free.

 

Before joining VAA as President and CEO in 2011, Mr. Dickson spent 12 years with Calgary-based Canadian Airlines followed by 12 years with BC Ferries in Victoria. “It has been a privilege and an honour to have served Victoria International Airport,” said Dickson. “The ongoing success of our airport is due to the collective efforts of a dedicated Board of Directors, a talented team of employees, and committed industry partners. I am proud of what our team has accomplished, and I wish to thank all the individuals whom I have had the pleasure of working with during my time here.”

 

The Board of Directors has formed a Task Force to oversee the search for its next President and CEO. The Board will seek a leader who will recognize, support, and grow the YYJ culture and who will continue to drive the strategic focus on safety and security, exceptional airport facilities, customer experience, financial responsibility, and sustainable environmental management.


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#6583 Missed Approach

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Posted 05 March 2023 - 07:02 PM

Consultative Committee

 

2023 Airport Consultative Committee Meeting

 

Schedule and Agendas

 

Virtual Spring Airport Consultative Committee Meeting

 

Tuesday, March 7, 2023, 1:30 PM PST

 

 

 

https://www.victoria...ative-committee



#6584 Missed Approach

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Posted 06 March 2023 - 06:38 PM

Some service increases from WestJet and Swoop.

 

Nothing to get excited about. 

 

But interesting increases .......

 

WJ : https://canadianavia...ummer-schedule/

 

Swoop : https://canadianavia...d-connectivity/



#6585 Victoria Watcher

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Posted 07 March 2023 - 08:49 AM

DOJ sues to block $3.8B JetBlue-Spirit Airlines merger, saying it will mean higher fares for customers

#6586 vortoozo

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Posted 07 March 2023 - 07:23 PM

Flair recently extended their schedule through end March 2024, so we now have some visibility of their winter plans to service Victoria. Unlike this year, service remains year round on both Edmonton and Calgary routes. This year it paused for a few months.

 

Here's the currently loaded schedule & weekly frequency (operating days of the week in brackets, 1=Monday, 7=Sunday x=except):

 

Calgary

currently operating 3x (135)

from March 26th, 4x (2467)

from April 4th, 5x (x37)

from May 1, daily

from Sept 24th, 6x (x3)

from Oct 31st, 3x (246)

continues at 3x through end of published schedule in March

 

Edmonton

currently operating 3x (246)

from March 26th, 5x (x37)

from May 7th, daily

from Oct 31st, 3x (246)

continues at 3x through end of published schedule in March

 

Seasonal Routes:

 

Ottawa

July 1st - October 28th, 1x (6)

 

Toronto

from April 8, 2x (36)

from July 11, 3x (246)

Sept 6th - October 28th, 2x (36)

 

Winnipeg

June 9th - October 27th, 2x (15)


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#6587 Kilo95

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Posted 08 March 2023 - 08:59 AM

Watched the recording of yesterday's VAA Spring Consultative Committee meeting .. 

 

- United isn't currently entertaining discussions about resuming flights to YYJ. 

- LAX is the largest unserved US-market from YYJ (75 passengers per day each way). 

- Airport is working through some final processes before issuing permits for the hotel development. 

- Current runway length is sufficient for 787 aircraft to land and is not a barrier to long haul flights. 

- US Pre-Clearance facility unlikely to happen anytime soon due to economics and costs involved. 


Edited by Kilo95, 08 March 2023 - 09:06 AM.

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#6588 lanforod

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Posted 08 March 2023 - 09:05 AM

A 4x a week flight to LAX would be in demand, it seems. 



#6589 vortoozo

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Posted 08 March 2023 - 12:55 PM

A 4x a week flight to LAX would be in demand, it seems. 

 

Who would operate it, though?

American won't, they barely serve Vancouver - 1 daily regional jet flight - from LAX.

Alaska won't, they don't fly LAX-YVR anymore; unlikely to start LAX-YYJ.

United won't as per above.

Delta seems unlikely since they dropped SEA-YYJ.

No chance that Air Canada touches it.

Westjet seems unlikely, since they're putting all of their eggs in the Calgary basket.

 

Maybe Flair? But since they don't operate on a model which allows connections, it's unlikely to be 4x a week. They need significant O&D traffic, and 75 passengers a day won't cut it. If they considered it, it would likely be seasonal, 1x or 2x per week. 75 passengers won't even fill half of one of their 737s. And there would still be people that fly other carriers, because of loyalty, because the Flair times don't work, etc.


Edited by vortoozo, 08 March 2023 - 12:57 PM.

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#6590 lanforod

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Posted 08 March 2023 - 12:58 PM

Why not Air Canada? curious about that. Seems like the most likely one.



#6591 AllseeingEye

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Posted 08 March 2023 - 01:31 PM

Ever since it was announced I've occasionally wondered why the new hotel isn't physically going to be part of the actual airport like many other airports or failing that at least in very close proximity i.e. across the street as with Calgary, Halifax and others? Because really this is less a Victoria YYJ 'airport' hotel and more a "Sidney" hotel that happens to be sort of close to the airport. 

 

Since air traveller numbers are way down compared to pre-covid and the airport is apparently intending to embark on a $600 million expansion wouldn't it have been perhaps preferable to do an 'airport' hotel right by incorporating it into the new physical YYJ? Or was the deal with the hotel chain contingent on being proximate/adjacent to the town of Sidney?


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#6592 vortoozo

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Posted 08 March 2023 - 01:33 PM

Why not Air Canada? curious about that. Seems like the most likely one.

 

Air Canada is very much a hub and spoke carrier. They prefer to route everything through their hubs and do very minimal point-to-point flying across their network.

An example is the recently discontinued Victoria - Calgary route. And even then, Calgary remains a focus city for the airline.

Zero chance that they discontinue Calgary but add another city that's not one of their hubs.



#6593 vortoozo

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Posted 08 March 2023 - 01:36 PM

Ever since it was announced I've occasionally wondered why the new hotel isn't physically going to be part of the actual airport like many other airports or failing that at least in very close proximity i.e. across the street as with Calgary, Halifax and others? Because really this is less a Victoria YYJ 'airport' hotel and more a "Sidney" hotel that happens to be sort of close to the airport. 

 

Since air traveller numbers are way down compared to pre-covid and the airport is apparently intending to embark on a $600 million expansion wouldn't it have been perhaps preferable to do an 'airport' hotel right by incorporating it into the new physical YYJ? Or was the deal with the hotel chain contingent on being proximate/adjacent to the town of Sidney?

 

People don't connect through Victoria. There's very little demand for an on-airport hotel. They're already space-constrained at that side of the airfield - having to remove a runway in order to add a few gates. Building a hotel at the terminal would no doubt be significantly costlier than one elsewhere on airport grounds.


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#6594 spanky123

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Posted 08 March 2023 - 02:06 PM

A 4x a week flight to LAX would be in demand, it seems. 

 

I would be happy to see more than 1X a day to SEA! Even the existing flight is so late that it eliminates most domestic connections.


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#6595 Nparker

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Posted 08 March 2023 - 02:38 PM

I'm with spanky123. Increased service to SEA should be a priority over LAX.


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#6596 Missed Approach

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Posted 08 March 2023 - 02:58 PM

Here is the link to the taped VAA, spring virtual consultative meeting via webinar.

 

 https://www.youtube....h?v=RN5GPAe01-Y

 

My take aways as some one who worked there for over 10ys ( airline ), Geoff is going out on a high note.

 

White Spot was finally brought up as an area of frustration to the VAA, no income for them and a lack of food for travelers.

Last they were in talks with the Compass group, maybe this summer, or not at all. 

 

Porter is the most interesting possible addition * maybe this summer. and Canada Jetlines ... less hopeful.  

 

Flair tho, as crazy as they move on routes, I still scratch my head over small markets like YXS to Tuscan, AZ 

 

But seeing comments above, the US market is there, but bleeding into other Canadian hubs before going south. 

 

I can understand the US pilot of and aircraft shortage across the board, but Geoff felt Delta was going to give YYJ another try via SLC ( Salt Lake City ) dependent on this gate expansion. Victoria is most likely small pickings for trans boarder service still.

 

https://airwaysmag.c...ity-expansion/ 


Edited by Missed Approach, 08 March 2023 - 03:03 PM.

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#6597 Mike K.

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Posted 08 March 2023 - 03:42 PM

We had a short SLC connection back in the late 90s or early 2000s. It was via United, maybe?

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#6598 Missed Approach

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Posted 08 March 2023 - 03:59 PM

We had a short SLC connection back in the late 90s or early 2000s. It was via United, maybe?

Yes, another short lived route.

 

https://www.victoria...t-lake-city-hub


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#6599 vortoozo

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Posted 08 March 2023 - 04:31 PM

I'm with spanky123. Increased service to SEA should be a priority over LAX.

 

Believe Seattle is in the works, but to Boeing Field, not SEA (Kenmore Air).



#6600 Missed Approach

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Posted 08 March 2023 - 07:39 PM

Believe Seattle is in the works, but to Boeing Field, not SEA (Kenmore Air).

 

I think that got shelved?, and it would be only on their 11 seat Cessna caravan which isn't adding much capacity at all and limited luggage wgt too.

Using Boeing field for connecting SEA pax is a hassle, even if customs maybe quick, a cab ride runs close to 40-50 USD for the 25-30 min cab ride depending on traffic. 

 

Maybe for the weekend get a ways, for local stays, but harbor to harbor for a weekend in Seattle, with many hotel and shopping deals 



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