Vancouver Airport realising vision of connecting the Americas with Asia

Vancouver Airport realising vision of connecting the Americas with Asia

Vancouver International Airport’s vision of being the airport connecting Asia and the Americas has been a major driver of growth in recent years, Vancouver Airport Authority vice president of commercial development, Scott Norris says.

Cargo has registered strong growth so far in 2017, following record-breaking passenger numbers in 2016, which increased capacity and activity, meaning more cargo at Vancouver.

Norris says: “Air Canada continues to build their western hub operations for the Asia Pacific through YVR which contribute to the positive growth in cargo tonnage processed through YVR.”

Asia Pacific, specifically China is a major focus area, along with the USA, and Vancouver is looking at Latin America where opportunities present themselves.

Norris says: “We align ourselves with industry and other gateways, including Shanghai Airport Authority, which we signed a partnership agreement with to study the cold supply chain between our two markets.”

He says the airport is continuing to find innovative ways to improve cargo operations by working with tenants, business partners and the logistics community.

The airport authority set up Vancouver Airport Property Management and acquired buildings in the Cargo Village in 2014.

Norris says: “We have set up our management team in cargo village to manage and redevelop facilities and to more closely work with our tenants and business partners in an effort to continue to facilitate and assist with the growth in our cargo gateway strategy.”

“We now have a direct relationship with over 100 tenants in the logistics and cargo industry, which we didn’t have before” he adds.

Norris says Vancouver’s approach to increase cargo is multifaceted, aiming to build on its strengths, particularly bringing time critical, temperature sensitive perishables to market.

The cargo village occupies more than one million square feet of cargo buildings and warehouse space.

Norris says the airport authority is looking at existing facilities, renovations and planning for future expansion as well as working with Canada Customs and industry partners to meet existing a future needs.

He says: “For our new terminal developments we are seeking to include new tail to tail cargo transfer facilities to increase the speed and reliability of time sensitive goods.”

Improving efficiency is very important, Norris explains: “We are seeking any opportunity to reduce the time and cost of transferring goods and increase certainty of goods transfer. This will be achieved through well designed and appropriately sized facilities.”

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