The new T’way service provides the community with even more flexibility and convenience when travelling to South Korea and connections across Asia, but the benefits of this new service go beyond passengers alone. An additional air connection provides increased cargo capacity to further diversify trading markets and get British Columbian and Canadian products to consumers in Asia and around the world. 2024 was a record-breaking year for cargo out of YVR with more than 339,000 tonnes of goods shipped through the airport and South Korea is YVR’s number two air export destination.

"British Columbia has long had strong ties with South Korea and is home to a large Korean community that continues to make significant contributions to the cultural diversity and prosperity of our province,” said B.C. Premier David Eby. “This affordable direct flight will allow people to stay connected with friends and family across the Pacific and also means that it will be faster and easier to do business with our fourth largest trading partner, strengthening the economic ties between us during a time of global uncertainty.”

“This new service to South Korea is about more than travel convenience—it represents a strategic investment in connectivity, trade, and Canada’s place in the global economy,” said Tamara Vrooman, President and CEO at YVR. “YVR is excited to further expand our ability to connect Canada with the world, to support industry and families, attract investment, and to further build resilience in supply chains.”

Each new international route from YVR results in direct economic benefit, with the flight to Seoul estimated to generate $39.8 million in economic output, $20.8 million in GDP, and 237 full time jobs in the province.  

“The launch of our Vancouver–Incheon route represents more than just a new destination—it’s a meaningful bridge connecting people, cultures, and economic opportunity,” said Mr. Sang Yoon Lee, CEO of T’way Air. “As the first Korean low-cost carrier to serve Canada, we’re excited to welcome onboard travellers to Korea while continuing to deliver reliable service.”

Prior to the flight departing for its inaugural 11-hour journey, Elders from Musqueam, joined by Musqueam Councillor Morgan Guerin, helped send passengers on their journey in a good way with traditional songs and hands raised. Since 2017, this relationship has been guided by the Musqueam-YVR Sustainability & Friendship Agreement, a 30-year commitment built on respect, reconciliation, and shared prosperity. 

Flights with T’way from Vancouver to Seoul are scheduled to depart YVR at 5:25 p.m. local time arriving at ICN the next day at 9:35 p.m. local time. T’way is operating this route using an Airbus 330-300 aircraft, offering 347 seats, including lie-flat options in its Business Saver class, moving approximately 2,700 passengers weekly. 

Established in 2010, T’way Air is a low-cost carrier serving more than 40 destinations domestically in South Korea and around the globe including Europe, Asia, Australia, and now North America with the introduction of service to YVR.   

For further details on this new service and to book, please visit www.twayair.com.

WestJet's new six-hour service will operate every Friday during the 2025/2026 Winter Season, departing YVR at 12:05 a.m. Passengers will fly on a Boeing 737-800 aircraft with 174 seats.

Every new route departing from YVR results in increased economic activity. The new service to Liberia is expected to generate $700,000 in economic output and $300,000 in GDP.

For more information about this service, please view WestJet’s release, here.

To meet growing interest to visit the city, T’way Air, a South Korean low-cost airline, is launching non-stop service from Vancouver to South Korea’s capital beginning July 12, 2025. The new route marks T’way Air’s first and only non-stop flight to Canada.  

The new route will bring the total number of weekly flights departing YVR for Seoul to 47 year-round, providing more options for our community to travel between Canada and South Korea. British Columbia is home to the second largest Korean community in Canada, 93 per cent of which reside in Vancouver. Canada is also home to the fourth largest Korean population outside of Korea.  

The route is served by an Airbus 330-300, offering 347 seats including lie-flat options in business and premium economy.  

T’way Air’s service from YVR to ICN will run year-round, four times a week, transporting up to 1388 passengers weekly. Every new route departing from YVR results in increased economic activity and jobs for our region. The new service to Seoul is expected to generate $39.8 million in economic output, $20.8 million in GDP, and 237 full time jobs in the province. 

Though, you didn’t have to be at YVR yesterday to experience the flavours of the Philippines. Hapag Ihaw Ihaw, along with five other local Filipino restaurants, were stops on YVR’s Taste of the Philippines food tour. Through Taste of the Philippines, YVR invited participants to explore these restaurants, where each stop gave participants the opportunity to win roundtrip airfare for two on this new route, courtesy of Air Canada. Participants ate their way through sizzling sisig, kare-kare, and halo-halo – so even those who didn’t win the airfare were still winners.  

Air Canada’s new YVR to MNL service will operate year-round, four times weekly. Manila represents Air Canada's 12th destination in Asia-Pacific with service from YVR, and the airline's first direct service to the Philippines.  

For further details on this new service and to book, please visit www.aircanada.com.  

Vancouver International Airport (YVR) recently celebrated our first and only non-stop flight service to Guadalajara, Mexico (GDL). Operated by Flair Airlines, the inaugural direct flight service was marked by a festive gate event, attracting special guests, members of the news media, and excited travellers.

This new route is the first and only non-stop service between Vancouver and Guadalajara and has the capacity to operate up to three times weekly. The new service has a direct benefit to our community and the economy that supports it, generating $4 million in total economic output for Canada and creating 26 jobs here at YVR and throughout B.C. The route also signifies an important growth opportunity for the tourism sectors in both cities.

The city of Guadalajara is the capital of the Mexican state of Jalisco. Last year, Jalisco welcomed 500,000 Canadian tourists. Attracted to the region’s rich cultural heritage, architecture, and stunning geography, demand by travellers for more frequent and easier access to this region has been met with this new non-stop service. 

Shortly before the flight’s inaugural departure from YVR, commemorative remarks were shared by Morgan Guerin, Manager, Indigenous Relations at YVR, Russell Atkinson, Director, Air Service Development at YVR, Garth Lund, Chief Commercial Officer at Flair Airlines, and Laura Nesteanu, Vice President at Guadalajara Tourism.

Thank you to everyone who supported the launch of this new service. Gracias!