YVR expects busy holiday season, 1.8 million passengers in December

Vancouver International Airport is expecting to have a busy holiday travel season, with almost 2 million passengers expected through its doors this December.

Ahead of the season, YVR has released some best practices for those with travel plans.

Travellers are encouraged to plan their route ahead of time and anticipate traffic changes that could affect their arrival time at the airport. A passenger’s current flight status can be checked through an airline’s website or at YVR’s website.

YVR also suggests checking in online ahead of time to avoid long wait lines.

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For those flying within Canada and the U.S., passengers can book a spot in advance for security screening through YVR EXPRESS — an appointment system that lets passengers schedule a specific time for security screening. The Mobile Passport Control app is another option for submitting passport and customs declaration when heading to the U.S.

YVR says it’s also important to pack smart and follow all Canadian Air Transport Security Authority baggage requirements. It’s also best to avoid wrapping holiday gifts as these may be inspected for both carry-on and checked baggage.

According to YVR, Dec. 22 is expected to be the busiest day with more than 60,000 passengers expected. In 2019, YVR’s busiest day was Dec. 20 with just a little over 75,000 travellers. This year’s numbers are close to pre-pandemic levels, which recorded 2.1 million passengers in December.