Winter Readiness at YVR

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At YVR, safety and security are at the heart of everything we do—and winter operations are no exception. As the coldest (and merriest) season approaches, YVR is working to deliver smooth, safe, and stress-free journeys, even in the face of heavy weather challenges.

Over recent years, we’ve introduced protocols and cutting-edge technology, reshaping operations to be more resilient and efficient—all while elevating the traveller experience.

Let’s dive into how YVR is prepared to keep people and cargo moving this winter.

Training, planning, and equipment

To do our best to deliver seamless and efficient operations during winter, YVR is equipped with advanced systems, well-trained teams and a fleet of snow and ice removal equipment.

Real-time weather monitoring: YVR has 24/7 access to meteorologists. Advanced weather monitoring equipment allows for proactive responses to changing conditions such as air temperature, wind speed, and snowfall, among other impacts, ensuring the highest safety standards.
Trained crews: Ongoing training and simulations ensure maintenance teams are ready to handle diverse winter challenges with precision.
Around-the-clock maintenance: Extra maintenance staff and dedicated bridge and apron crews are on standby to tackle winter conditions.
Efficient gate protocols: Protocols are in place to ensure arriving aircraft can deplane passengers within 30 minutes of taxiing, maintaining smooth terminal operations.
Snow and ice control: During a snowstorm, YVR can deploy more than 140 vehicles to remove ice and snow from the airfield. This impressive fleet includes powerful snow blowers and specialized equipment capable of clearing up to 40,000 tons of snow per hour, ensuring the airport remains operational even in severe weather. Some of the specialized equipment is part of YVR’s own fleet, while additional resources, such as snow blowers, plows, and de-icing vehicles, are provided by Aeromag and other key contractors, all working in coordination as part of the airport's winter operations. Learn more about YVR’s snow removal equipment here.
De-icing power: YVR’s fleet of 28 de-icing trucks can clear a narrowbody plane in as little as four minutes and a widebody plane in eight minutes, excluding time for the aircraft to get in and out of the de-icing bay. This ensures timely departures even in challenging winter weather, helping keep flights on schedule.

New and enhanced infrastructure

YVR continues to elevate operations with advanced technology and other upgrades to deliver reliable airport operations. These include:

Baggage system upgrades: Our new High-Level Control (HLC) baggage system will help ensure faster and more reliable baggage delivery.
Faster security screening: In partnership with the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority (CATSA), new Computed Tomography (CT) X-ray equipment, similar to the equipment recently installed at Domestic Checkpoint ABC North will also be available at the Domestic ABC South screening point. As one of a handful of Canadian airports offering this technology, this new equipment allows all passengers travelling domestically to save time by leaving large electronics, such as laptops, and liquids in their bags for a faster security screening experience.
Efficient de-icing: Select aircraft with early morning departures will be de-iced at the gate under a new trial, which is expected to reduce taxi time.
Biometrics technology: Passengers also have more opportunities to use biometric identity verification tools versus having to show boarding passes and physical identification through Air Canada’s Digital ID program and newly installed e-gates for those travelling to the U.S. via U.S. Customs and Border Protection's (CBP) Traveller Verification Service (TVS) facial comparison technology. YVR has recently installed the first five e-gates in our U.S. Departures pier in collaboration with Air Canada, Transport Canada, and CBP. Available at select gates, the TVS will allow Air Canada passengers flying to the U.S. to have the option of using facial comparison to verify their identity at the gate instead of showing their passport and boarding pass.

Passenger preparation

YVR has a variety of programs, services, and tools to make passengers’ journeys smoother during the peak winter travel season:

Travel checklist: Discover tips to prepare for your travel this winter season.
Curbside greeting program: This service provides a warm welcome and personalized assistance for all departing passengers, including those requiring additional accessibility support, to ensure a seamless airport experience.
Parking: Passengers can pre-book parking at YVR for the lowest rates. For a limited time, get 10 per cent off jetSet valet parking when you pre-book with promo code WINTER (valid for stays commencing from December 15 to January 4). For those picking up or dropping off loved ones from the airport, the first 30 minutes of parking in YVR’s parkade is complimentary.
Travel technology integration: Passengers travelling to the U.S. can submit passport and customs information in advance of their trip through the Mobile Passport Control app, expediting the customs inspection process. For International arrivals, the ArriveCAN app supports advance customs submissions, enabling faster processing through our Advance CBSA Declaration (ACD) Express Lanes.
Passenger Journey tool: YVR’s Passenger Journey tool is a step-by-step navigation guide, offering detailed instructions based on flight information. Travellers can access it by finding their departing flight information on the departures section of our website and clicking “View Your Journey”.
Operational dashboard: YVR’s operational snapshot provides near real-time information about peak travel days, passenger volumes, popular destinations, weather conditions and more, helping passengers plan their trips efficiently.

With more than 3 million passengers travelling through YVR over the peak winter travel season, from December 1 through January 12, YVR’s convenient parking options, new technology solutions, and operational enhancements will help passengers travel seamlessly.