YVR is well on our way to reaching net zero in our operations by 2030. The feasibility study we are now part of will advance thinking and action on how we can best support extended areas of our industry to reach net zero by 2050. We believe hydrogen is a key enabler of the aviation sector’s ambition to achieve that important goal. 

Reasons for YVR’s participation in this important initiative include:
 

• B.C. is home to the largest hydrogen fuel sector in Canada with 51 per cent of Canadian hydrogen companies located here.
• With an expected ramp-up in demand for hydrogen fuels, we’re working to provide market certainty to the B.C. hydrogen ecosystem, establishing a potential supply chain and future cleantech jobs across the province.
• Helping us achieve our Clean BC commitments.
• As a leading North American airport and a testbed for innovation, YVR is uniquely placed to play a leadership role in the creation of  a hydrogen aviation ecosystem across the country.

Learn more about our MoU and future hydrogen hubs at Canadian airports here. 

As we strive to enhance our services and facilities, aligning with our 3-year Accessibility Plan, we're introducing our new online accessibility survey, designed to gather feedback from individuals with disabilities based on their experiences at YVR over the past three years.

The insights collected through this survey will play a crucial role in guiding us towards enhancing the airport experience for every passenger. By understanding the challenges and needs faced by our travellers, we can implement targeted improvements.

The survey is open to travellers of all abilities at YVR. Please take this opportunity to share the survey with your networks and community members below.

The survey is multiple-choice with one open-ended question and is estimated to take approximately 15-20 minutes to complete. All survey responses will be kept confidential. Additionally, participants will have the chance to enter a draw to win one of four virtual gift cards (e.g., Amazon, e-Visa) worth $250 each. 

Responses will contribute to the preparation of our year one progress report for our three-year Accessibility Plan. This report will showcase the tangible steps we've taken to improve accessibility at YVR and highlight our commitment to creating a more inclusive environment for all travellers.

We encourage members of our community to participate in the survey and share their experiences. Your feedback is invaluable to us and will shape the future of accessibility at YVR. Together, we can ensure that every passenger feels welcome and supported throughout their journey at our airport. Thank you for helping us create a more accessible and inclusive YVR.

Learn more about YVR’s Accessibility Plan.

In today's digital landscape, where data is increasingly vital, secure data protection practices are more crucial than ever. 

We practice the highest standards of data management by outlining the rules and responsibilities for handling data and ensuring that it is managed in a secure, efficient, and compliant manner. 

Our YVR Data Guardians policy suite serves as a comprehensive guide to how we handle and manage data for the purpose of operating a safe and efficient airport. 

Under this policy, data collection is limited to only what is necessary for legitimate business purposes and consent is obtained from data owners and individuals where appropriate. We prioritize the implementation of robust technical standards and organizational measures to protect the collection, storage, and processing of data.  

As the aviation industry embraces technological advancements, the need for secure data handling becomes increasing important. YVR's commitment to digital innovation further solidifies our priorities around robust data protection practices. 

YVR is proud to publicly share our standards and commitment to the safe storage and use passenger data. By openly sharing our data guardianship standards, we aim to provide peace of mind for our passengers and instill confidence within our community.  

Learn more about our industry leading Data Guardians policies. 

By simply toggling the new EqualWeb widget on screen, visitors to YVR.ca can navigate the website in a friendly and accessible manner, tailored to each specific need. The powerful Auto AI features embedded in the widget offer a rich and easy-to-use interface comprising a total of 32 functions.

YVR takes pride in our commitment to creating a more accessible airport environment, with the introduction of the EqualWeb widget and the continued implementation of our three-year Accessibility Plan. 

YVR will continue to connect people and communities and strive to provide a welcoming, inclusive, and accessible travel experience for people of all abilities. 

Learn more about YVR’s Accessibility Plan.

Waste Wars

Waste Wars is a friendly competition designed to engage terminal food & beverage tenants in proper waste management and recycling at YVR. The competition’s main objective is to increase outreach and education on proper sorting to maximize the diversion of waste from the landfill. We encourage tenants to work together to support and reach our target of 60 per cent waste diversion by 2024. For the first time, passenger lounges were added to the competition this year.

YVR’s waste warriors battled the bins, and after seven weeks of intense binning, digging, and sorting, YVR’s best bins were declared!

Full-Service Restaurants:

• 1^st Place: Vino Volo (B Pier)
• 2^nd Place: Vino Volo (E Pier)
• 3^rd Place: Globe @ YVR

Quick Service Restaurants:

• 1^st Place: Pacific Coast News
• 2^nd Place: Starbucks (D Pier)
• 3^rd Place: Salmon N’ Bannock

Passenger Lounges:

• 1^st Place: Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounge (C Pier)
• 2^nd Place: Cathay Pacific Lounge
• 3^rd Place: SkyTeam Lounge

Our 2023 winners displayed exceptional sorting skills and true dedication to YVR’s waste management practices. We were truly impressed by their consistent efforts, enthusiasm, passion, and remarkable progress over the course of the competition. As a result of their hard work, less waste is going to the landfill, and more is being composted and recycled.

YVR Green Excellence Award

Since 2011, Vancouver Airport Authority has been recognizing exceptional Sea Island businesses for their commitment, enthusiasm, and innovation in minimizing the environmental impact of their operations with our annual YVR Green Excellence Award Program. This year, we had three distinct award categories for Sea Island businesses to submit nominations based on their environmental projects, initiatives or programs: environmental innovation, environmental stewardship, and community engagement.

Environmental Innovation Award:

Purolator Inc. was awarded the environmental innovation award for the implementation and expanded use of re-usable pallet skid wrap in their operations, which has drastically reduced their usage of plastic shrink wrap. Purolator’s introduction of a sustainable alternative has vastly reduced the amount of plastic waste headed to landfill.

Environmental Stewardship Award:

Air Canada was awarded the environmental stewardship award for major steps in electrifying their ground support equipment by replacing several diesel tractors with electric counterparts. Once Air Canada has fully completed their phased electrification of their entire ground support equipment fleet, hundreds of gas-powered vehicles will be replaced by clean equivalents.

Community Eco-Champion Award:

Fairmont was awarded the community eco-champion award for their work at several clean-ups at both McDonald Beach and YVR’s East Loading Dock collecting 90 pounds of waste.  Fairmont’s sustainability team continues to do remarkable work around environmental engagement & awareness on Sea Island.

Congratulations to our winners, and a big thank you to all businesses who submitted nominations for the 2023 YVR Green Excellence Award Program. We look forward to continuing to work together with the Sea Island business community to reduce our collective impact on the environment.

Human trafficking, identified as one of the fastest-growing crimes in Canada, particularly affects those under 25 years of age, with transportation corridors frequently exploited by traffickers. YVR recognizes the crucial role airports play as frontline defenders against this violation of fundamental human rights. 

#NotInMyCity, a prominent advocate in the fight against human trafficking, operates with a mission to prevent and end human trafficking and sexual exploitation. The initiative builds alliances to support the development of a strategic, integrated plan to bring about sustainable change at various levels. 

YVR is set to be a key player in this initiative by spearheading awareness campaigns, providing education and training to staff, and actively showing solidarity against child sexual exploitation and trafficking within its terminals. With millions of travellers passing through the airport each year, YVR is committed to creating a safe environment for all. 

To equip staff and the greater airport community, YVR will launch a mandatory training program designed to identify and respond to signs of human trafficking. The initiative aligns with the commitment of seven other major airports, including Calgary, Toronto Pearson, and Edmonton International, in the collective effort to combat human trafficking. 

YVR emphasizes its partnership with local law enforcement, particularly the Richmond RCMP, to actively combat human trafficking. The airport will display physical posters and decals throughout the terminal, urging individuals who are victims or witnesses of human trafficking to seek help through the provided helpline: 604-278-1212.

For the general public, #NotInMyCity offers a free interactive e-learning course to raise awareness about human trafficking and sexual exploitation in Canada. Developed in collaboration with thought leaders, the course awards participants with a certificate upon completion. 

In acknowledging the hidden nature of human trafficking, YVR is dedicated to creating an environment where victims feel safe coming forward despite manipulation, fear, or mistrust of authority. The airport aims to empower the community to recognize signs of human trafficking and proactively support victims.