7706 replies to this topic

[Mike K.]

Awesome. Thank you, MA!

[Nparker]

...Inside, a large food spread awaited guests...

Which is more than one can say for the YYJ terminal itself.

[Missed Approach]

Which is more than one can say for the YYJ terminal itself.

......... lets not forget the large number of vending machines feed the masses ( 2 in the arrivals hall, that's it )

[Missed Approach]

Out sooner than normally. In the past, the VAA would not release a copy of the AGM pdf for weeks after.

 

Well here you go if interested in the 2023 recap  

 

https://yyj.ca/wp-co...NAL-for-web.pdf

[Missed Approach]

I did miss one items that raised my eye brow and those who were at the AGM.

In the past, the concern around pushing the long term parking lot further and further out and into farm land while the airport was under Geoff D.

When the question was raised about land and parking esp with the loss of farm land, Ms Brown was concerned with the disappearance of farm land and the idea and conversation around a " parking structure " was a consideration point when she took over and something they ( VAA ) is NOW looking at.

 

I guess Ms Brown has other ideas from Mr Dickson on the cost / benefit of a parking structure and the cost per stall vs construction costs.

 

The loooooooong walk in the pouring rain was mentioned by the CEO as not very accommodating to travelers.

 

She said many times, this airport is the airport for the capital city of British Columbia...... and in a way I felt she was expecting the airport would play more of a role for the region than it is now. ( just a feeling from her tone and body language over how the airport is under preforming )

Edited by Missed Approach, 09 May 2024 - 05:26 PM.

[Nparker]

A proper parking structure at YYJ is at least 20 years overdue.

[Missed Approach]

A proper parking structure at YYJ is at least 20 years overdue.

And YLW ( Kelowna ) has a 3rd party " park n fly " Valet Parking service on site ..........

The VAA has a free shuttle service only during christmas for the far off in left field parking lot.......... 

So outside of that, enjoy your long walk in the refreshing rain 

[Missed Approach]

From; AeroRoutes.com

 

WESTJET REMOVES 5 INTERNATIONAL ROUTES IN NW24

Written By Jim Liu

 

Published at 0200GMT 09MAY24

 

WestJet in last week's schedule update removed 5 international routes for Northern winter 2024/25 season, impacting service from Abbotsford, Edmonton and Ottawa.

 

Abbotsford – Los Cabos/Cabo San Lucas Previously scheduled 1 weekly from 23DEC24
Edmonton – Montego Bay Previously scheduled 1 weekly from 22DEC24
Ottawa – Cancun Previously scheduled 2 weekly from 06NOV24
Ottawa – Montego Bay Previously scheduled 1 weekly from 27OCT24, 2 from 20DEC24
Ottawa – Orlando Previously scheduled 1 weekly from 31OCT24, 2 from 16DEC24

Sunwing Airlines continue to operate Edmonton – Montego Bay, Ottawa – Cancun and Ottawa – Montego Bay service. WestJet's WS-coded operating international service at Ottawa will be downsized to Ottawa – Fort Myers for Northern winter 2024/25 season, as of 08MAY24.

[Missed Approach]

This week, WestJet picked up 4 of the returned to lessor Lynx 737 Max 8 aircraft.

 

This as they have been picking up more Encore routes, due to the lack of pilots and aircraft on the minor routes.

 

As mentioned, Nanaimo now has regular daily 737 non stop service to YYC ( Calgary ) and just this week, YXS ( Prince George )

now has a daily 737 service to YYC. 

 

Thats a big jump from 70 seats to 134 (series 700) / 148 (800 series)

[Missed Approach]

More WestJet News.

 

WestJet mainline has now had to take to the skies @ YYJ and operate a few flights for Encore to YVR now a couple times in the last few days.

 

And just saw a post that Pacific Coastal Airlines will not be operating ANY WestJet Link from the late Oct 2024

Gone is Vancouver to Cranbrook, Comox and Nanaimo. And flights within Alberta

Will revert back to WestJet Encore with Dash 8 service. 

Kinda not surprised. The PCA fleet is aging and uncomfortable.

Edited by Missed Approach, 13 May 2024 - 11:33 AM.

[vortoozo]

Wow - switching to Encore means significant frequency reductions. Nanaimo - Vancouver will only be 4x per week come November. Currently that route (operated by Pasco) is 2x daily.

Vancouver to Cranbrook will become 3x per week, currently daily.

[Missed Approach]

Well things are going well for Encore pilots, after turning down their last offer

 

https://canadianavia...cation-results/

[Victoria Watcher]

Well things are going well for Encore pilots, after turning down their last offer

 

https://canadianavia...cation-results/

 

 

In a statement, the pilots’ union, the Air Line Pilots Association, International (ALPA) accused WestJet Group of “using compensation to gloss over many of the core structural issues of the operation.”  

 

The tentative agreement, reached April 8, 2024, was narrowly defeated. Of the 92 per cent of eligible pilots who participated, only 53 per cent voted against the deal.  

 

“Despite contract improvements to compensation and scheduling, our pilots held strong in their belief that management isn’t doing enough to address the ongoing pilot attraction and retention issues and low morale that remain at our airline,” said Capt Carin Kenny, chair of the WestJet Encore ALPA Master Executive Council.  

 

 

https://skiesmag.com...uctural-issues/

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 13 May 2024 - 05:09 PM.

[Missed Approach]

 

In a statement, the pilots’ union, the Air Line Pilots Association, International (ALPA) accused WestJet Group of “using compensation to gloss over many of the core structural issues of the operation.”  

The tentative agreement, reached April 8, 2024, was narrowly defeated. Of the 92 per cent of eligible pilots who participated, only 53 per cent voted against the deal.  

 

 

 

 

I should have added ( insert sarcasm here ) on my post.

I feel for all Encore pilots, they are being screwed by WJ in so many ways.  

[Sparky]

New control tower coming for YYJ

https://www.timescol...airport-8746708

[Mike K.]

Good grief. That’s the second time they’re announcing it.

[Mike K.]

Here’s the press release. Two years after the first.

NAV CANADA and the Victoria Airport Authority, today held a groundbreaking event for the construction of the new Victoria Airport Control Tower.

The event took place at the new construction site, located near the Airside Operations Centre, with representatives from NAV CANADA, the Airport Authority, as well as from municipal government and industry, following the fall 2022 announcement for the construction of the new Tower.

“NAV CANADA is consistently working to update its essential infrastructure. The new tower will enhance service delivery with improved control tower sight lines over the airfield,” says Raymond Bohn, President and CEO, NAV CANADA. “Additionally, to support our net-zero goals by 2050, we are adopting comprehensive strategies to ensure the sustainability of our new facilities”.

Designed in collaboration with the Victoria Airport Authority, NAV CANADA’s first LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certified Tower will be powered by green power from BC Hydro to operate with zero GHG emissions, aside from its emergency power generator.

The focus on sustainability doesn’t end with the building itself. NAV CANADA is taking a step further by incorporating indigenous bushes, natural grasses, and wildflowers to restore Garry Oak Meadow in the tower’s landscaping, which is one of the most endangered ecosystems in Canada. To minimize the attraction of birds for aviation safety reasons, only plants that do not yield fruits or berries have been selected as part of the landscaping project. The control tower property will also feature permeable pavers in the parking area, which allow water to soak through them to minimize ground water run-off and reduce the risk of flooding.

“The services that NAV CANADA provides for the complex airspace in our region is essential for the safe operation of the Victoria International Airport (YYJ) and this investment will enhance air navigational services for years to come,” says Elizabeth M. Brown, VAA President and CEO. “This new state-of-the-art facility will not only improve aviation safety and efficiency but will also highlight the many ways thoughtful and sustainable design can be employed in non-traditional developments and facilities that serve unique functions. The various design elements that have been incorporated align with many of the goals in YYJ’s Sustainability Plan and we look forward to seeing the building in operation.”

The Construction of the new Victoria Tower begins in spring 2024 and it is expected to be completed by 2027. The tower will have a total height of 27.7m and a total gross floor area of 791.4 square meters.

[Nparker]

...NAV CANADA’s first LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certified Tower will be powered by green power from BC Hydro to operate with zero GHG emissions... NAV CANADA is taking a step further by incorporating indigenous bushes, natural grasses, and wildflowers to restore Garry Oak Meadow in the tower’s landscaping, which is one of the most endangered ecosystems in Canada. To minimize the attraction of birds for aviation safety reasons, only plants that do not yield fruits or berries have been selected as part of the landscaping project. The control tower property will also feature permeable pavers in the parking area, which allow water to soak through them to minimize ground water run-off and reduce the risk of flooding...

Aaaaack! Virtue signaling overload.   
 

[Victoria Watcher]

Construction is officially underway at the Victoria International Airport on a new, modern and eco-friendly control tower with a better view of the runways — and of the new 2019 taxiway accidentally built out of view of the current tower.

 

“It’s going to create a greater line of sight for the operation,” said Nav Canada CEO Raymond Bohn at the groundbreaking ceremony on Tuesday (May 14). “So that will be better for the airport and will be better for the air operators.”

 

This new tower will also be the first in Canada to receive certification through the U.S. Green Building Council. It will be built on the other side of the runways from the current tower and will be about the same size. It is expected to be completed by the fall of 2027.

 

 

https://www.vicnews....airport-7358875

 

 

 

 

 

 

It's 2024.  Can't we just do this with cameras and big screens?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In October 2015, aviation history was made in northern Sweden when Örnsköldsvik Airport became the world’s first remotely controlled airport managed by a controller at a workstation 140 kilometers (87 miles) away at the Sundsvall remote tower center.

 

The brick-and-mortar air traffic control (ATC) tower has been an iconic airport landmark since the world’s first tower opened at Croydon Airport near London, England, in early 1920. The concept of using a tower or elevated structure to provide an out-the-window view to manage air traffic at airports has remained largely unchanged for the past 100 years.

 

During the past seven years, however, a new paradigm in airport air traffic services (ATS) has started to take root. This is known as the “remote tower” or “digital tower” concept invented by the German Aerospace Center (DLR) in 2002. The concept uses optical sensors, microphones, video screens, and other digital technology to allow ATS operators to provide safe and efficient service from a location independent from the airport site.

 

https://skiesmag.com...affic-services/

 

 

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 15 May 2024 - 12:20 AM.

[Missed Approach]

Good grief. That’s the second time they’re announcing it.

 

I guess that was a BIG NEWS items Ms Brown had for this week........

 

Wonder whats next.