YVR unveils $40 million ‘action plan’ after December airport chaos

Vancouver International Airport (YVR) has announced a $40-million action plan after it was plagued with major delays and cancellations over the winter holiday season.

The airport says this money will be used to add more staff, purchase better equipment, and improve training and communication.

YVR President Tamara Vrooman says Dec. 20, 2022, was one of the worst travels days at the airport, with nearly of third of passengers being affected by flight cancellations.

Extreme weather, a lack of staff, and busy terminals all contributed to extensive delays.

“This after action review focuses on the ways that we can improve to ensure that that doesn’t happen in the future, despite the fact that we are going to be faced increasing weather events and likely labor shortages into the foreseeable future,” she said Monday, April 17.

“I’m confident that these actions will improve the efficiency of our airport as well as our service.”

New weather system improvements will also ensure YVR’s number of arrivals doesn’t exceed the number of departures, she says.

In addition, Vrooman says the new action plan factors in an extra gate being left free during “unpredictable weather events.”

Related articles:

• Vancouver International Airport promises changes after holiday travel chaos

• Canadian Transportation Agency still to review 33k+ air travel complaints

• ‘Tarmac victims’ stuck on planes for hours could sue airlines: advocate

“If passengers are here at irregular times, we will be sure that we have the people on the ground to be able to help them,” Vrooman said.

While many travellers were forced to wait out cancellations and delays in the airport, the chaos that played out over the Christmas holiday also saw many people stuck on the tarmac for hours.

It also led to severe baggage issues.

Vrooman says the plan is to also invest in a new baggage technology system, to help keep track of people’s items and avoid a repeat of what we saw.