12
November
2026
|
14:13
America/Los_Angeles

Record-setting summer: YVR welcomed nearly eight million passengers in the airport’s busiest-ever summer travel season

With the release of verified September passenger data, Vancouver International Airport (YVR) can confirm that Summer 2026 was its busiest ever. During the peak summer travel period of June 12 – September 8, 7.8 million passengers travelled through the airport, representing a 5.5 per cent increase over the same period in 2025, which was the previous record year. For the full period of June 1 – September 30, YVR welcomed a total of 10.5 million passengers, compared to 10.1 million passengers over the same months last year, marking a 4.1 per cent year-over-year increase.

Summer 2026 passenger numbers were driven by a variety of factors, including the FIFA World Cup 2026™, which prompted an early start to summer flight schedules for YVR; support for a record cruise season at the Port of Vancouver; and new and expanded flight options, including a significant increase in service to Asia-Pacific destinations, which is up 14.4 per cent year to date.

Here are the overall passenger volumes and year-over-year percentage increases for each summer month:

  • June – 2.5 million passengers – up 2.6 per cent
  • July – 2.7 million passengers – up 2.6 per cent
  • August – 2.8 million passengers – up 6.3 per cent
  • September – 2.5 million passengers – up 4.7 per cent

During the FIFA World Cup 2026™ period alone, YVR handled approximately 2.98 million passengers, underscoring the impact of the tournament and YVR’s role as a major gateway for events, tourism, and cruise travel.

As part of YVR’s role in driving trade and supporting B.C. and Canadian businesses in getting products to global markets, the airport is also seeing record growth in 2026 cargo volumes. So far this year, cargo numbers are up 13.7 per cent compared to the same period last year. This growth is being driven by strong international activity, particularly from Asia and Europe, bolstering YVR’s recent commitment to double air cargo volumes over the next five years.

As YVR welcomes more travellers and cargo, the airport is continuing to focus on innovation and new technologies to support a faster, more seamless travel journey, as well as a resilient, reliable, and predictable operation, including the use of biometrics or facial recognition as part of the boarding process.

Travellers also saw more choices to dine and shop across the airport this summer. Two Pret A Manger locations are now open at YVR, including the brand’s first standalone location in a Canadian airport (found in the International Departures food court near Gate D71) and a second location serving travellers in the Domestic Terminal, with a third on the way. YVR also welcomed Lucky Lily Asian Brasserie from renowned Richmond chef Nicole Gomes, offering both sit-down dining and grab-and-go options in the Domestic Terminal near Gate C46.

Together, these milestones reflect a record-setting summer of strong momentum across YVR’s passenger, cargo, and commercial operations. As demand continues to grow, YVR remains focused on its role as Canada’s Pacific Gateway to Asia and beyond, connecting B.C. to the world while driving jobs and our economy here at home.