Vancouver International Airport further grows jobs and economic impact, sets course to double cargo volumes over next five years

Vancouver International Airport (YVR) is growing its role supporting increased trade, connectivity, and enabling British Columbia’s economy. Speaking at a keynote address to the Greater Vancouver Board of Trade, YVR President and CEO, Tamara Vrooman announced a major commitment to double air cargo volumes through YVR over the next five years. Growing Vancouver’s air cargo operations will not only provide more jobs and economic benefits for the province but will also add significant cargo capacity, supporting businesses across B.C. to get more of their products to global markets.

As the country’s second busiest airport and Canada’s Pacific gateway to Asia and beyond, YVR is already seeing record cargo volumes moving through Vancouver, particularly heading to Asia Pacific destinations. This includes high value B.C. natural resources such as precious metals and critical minerals, machinery and electronics, pharmaceuticals, as well as sought after perishables such as West Coast seafood, and B.C. produce.

“British Columbia has a generational opportunity when it comes to expanding trade and connectivity to untapped markets, but the reality is we are not the only jurisdiction seeking to do so,” said Tamara Vrooman, President and CEO of Vancouver International Airport. “Doubling air cargo volumes over the next five years at YVR will drive B.C.’s efforts to seize this opportunity, getting more of Canada to the world while growing jobs and our economy here at home.”

This cargo commitment will also further grow YVR’s role as a significant economic engine for B.C. and the country. Updated economic impact numbers provided by Canadian accounting and business consulting firm, MNP show a major increase in jobs and economic impact:

• More than 28,000 people work at YVR, up eight per cent over the past two years.
• YVR supports more than 115,000 jobs in B.C., 130,000 jobs nationally.

• YVR has a $13.5 billion impact on B.C.’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), up 11 per cent over two years, and a $15.8 billion impact on Canada’s national GDP.

   

For 2026, YVR continues to see increasing passenger and cargo demand, particularly to Asia Pacific destinations with a forecast of 10 per cent passenger growth on top of 15 per cent year-over-year growth to the region in 2025. Increased flights and new destinations from a number of carriers in spring and summer 2026 alone will see an additional 400,000 passengers come through YVR and more than $500 million in increased capacity for high value air cargo.

“We know the key role YVR plays in driving our economy by supporting global trade and connectivity, particularly during this time when businesses are looking to leverage British Columbia’s Pacific Gateway advantage to diversify trade and reach new global markets,” said Bridgitte Anderson, President and CEO of the Greater Vancouver Board of Trade. “Doubling the airport’s cargo capacity while also expanding air connectivity to new and emerging markets would provide a significant boost to B.C. exporters, supporting the kind of economic development and growth that our province needs.”

YVR is coming off a record year in 2025 with 26.9 million passengers travelling through the airport and the movement of 365,000 tonnes of cargo, up 7.4 per cent from 2024. This was accomplished thanks to strong operations and customer service combined with globally recognized innovations. YVR was also recently voted Best Airport in North America by Skytrax for a record 15^th year and named as one of the top 10 airports globally.

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