The first embrace: a soft landing at YVR

It’s often in the early morning light that refugee flights arrive at Vancouver International Airport (YVR). Some passengers carry small suitcases. Others hold tightly to a single object—the only thing they could bring from home. Their steps are cautious. Their eyes, searching.

And then, something shifts.

At the end of the corridor connecting the plane to the terminal, a sound rises gently: the beating of a drum, the singing of a welcome. Musqueam Elders, following traditional protocol, raise their hands and offer a wordless message—you are safe now, you are home.

Some newcomers pause. Some exhale. Others place a hand over their heart or smile through tears. In that moment, the unknown begins to feel less frightening.

Every year, refugee claimants arrive in British Columbia, each with a story shaped by displacement, conflict, or persecution. Some flee war. Others escape threats based on their beliefs, identity, or whom they love.

Their journey doesn’t end at the gate. It begins again.

At YVR, this moment of arrival is treated with care. In partnership with the Musqueam community, S.U.C.C.E.S.S.—a non-profit that has supported newcomers in Canada for over 50 years—and many other organizations, the airport becomes a place of new firsts: first meals, first directions, first embraces.

Welcoming refugees is more than a service; it’s a reflection of who we are. Rooted in the commitments of inclusion, dignity, and community, our purpose at YVR is to serve the people who move through our terminal. Refugee arrivals are one of the clearest expressions of that purpose in action.

Stories of arrival

“At 50 years old, I never imagined I’d have to do something like this,” shared O., who arrived at YVR alone. “I had almost no money and nowhere to stay. When the immigration officer told me about S.U.C.C.E.S.S., I went upstairs and found them. As soon as I saw their faces, I cried. They listened to me. They helped me find shelter. That day, I began to feel hope again. The hug—when someone held me and told me I wasn’t alone—is something I’ll never forget.”

For J., who arrived with her family of six, the welcome was transformative.

“We were nervous and didn’t know what to expect,” she said. “But as soon as we saw the airport staff and people from S.U.C.C.E.S.S., we felt an enormous sense of relief.”

One of her first memories was seeing a YVR staff approach with a wheelchair for her mother.

 “That was the moment I felt like we were in a safe place. Everyone was so kind. They guided us, spoke with compassion, and gave us the confidence to take the next step.”

“These services aren’t just helpful—they’re life-changing. They bring comfort, hope, and a sense of belonging when families feel lost. A warm welcome can give someone the strength to begin again.”

A welcome rooted in the land

The welcome begins long before food or shelter—it begins with the land, and with those who have cared for it since time immemorial.

YVR is located on the traditional, unceded territory of the Musqueam people. For Musqueam, welcoming newcomers is not only a protocol—it is an act of continuity.

“When refugee flights arrive, we gather at the gate,” says Mary Point, Director of Indigenous Relations and a member of the Musqueam Nation. “We drum, we sing, and we raise our hands in welcome. No words are spoken, but through this protocol, we say: you are safe now, you are free. This is a fresh start.”

Behind the scenes: care in every detail

Coordinating these arrivals involves an intricate choreography of care. From assigning gates to managing ground transportation, the Operations team at YVR works to ensure everything flows smoothly.

“Our job is to bring everyone together—internally and externally—to create a safe and respectful welcome,” explains Adriana Unger, Operations Specialist – Terminal Readiness. “We coordinate gate scheduling, set up orientation areas, add wayfinding staff, and support transport out of the terminal. It’s a group effort.”

For Adriana and her colleagues, these moments are a powerful reminder of the human side of airport operations.

“Supporting these flights allows us to reflect on the role we play in people’s lives. It’s a privilege to be part of someone’s first day in Canada.”

A network of support

At the heart of this welcome is S.U.C.C.E.S.S., whose team at YVR provides not just practical assistance, like food, orientation, and temporary accommodation, but also something even more powerful: human connection.

 “Our mission at S.U.C.C.E.S.S. is to help people succeed at every phase of their Canadian journeys," said S.U.C.C.E.S.S. CEO Queenie Choo. "As part of our work, we established our Community Airport Newcomers Network program at YVR in 1992, to make sure there was a welcoming face and helping hand waiting for newcomers arriving to bravely start their lives over in Vancouver. Since then, our CANN staff have helped more than 1.1 million new immigrants and refugees to landing here to navigate their first few days more confidently and comfortably."

A shared commitment

There is something powerful about a welcome. Whether it’s the steady rhythm of a Musqueam drum, a warm meal offered by a support worker, or a wheelchair brought with quiet care, these gestures stay with people.

They offer more than help. They offer reassurance. They mark the beginning of a new chapter — a first breath of safety, a moment of human connection, a glimpse of what’s possible.

At YVR, we believe these acts of care, taken together, are a kind of embrace. One that says: you’re safe, you’re seen, you’re not alone.

Together with Musqueam, S.U.C.C.E.S.S., our operations teams, and countless community partners, we will continue to offer that welcome. Because every person deserves to arrive not just to a new country, but into a moment of safety, dignity, and hope.