Vancouver Opens First Phase of New Terminal

RICHMOND, B.C. (CP) - Vancouver International Airport's new $420-million international terminal opened for business Tuesday with the arrival of an Air Canada flight from Hong Kong.

The Airbus A340 sidled up to Gate 65 to mark the official opening of the $200-million first phase of the international terminal expansion, which opened after eight years in planning and construction.

''This expansion is essential to accommodating our growth,' said Larry Berg, president and CEO of Vancouver Airport Authority.

''This gives us a little bit of international gate capacity. Air New Zealand is putting an Auckland service on and Air Canada is putting a direct Sydney service and a second Beijing service this summer.''

Berg said the project was slightly ahead of schedule and under budget.

The first phase features four new gates, two of which can accommodate the Airbus A380, the world's largest commercial passenger aircraft.

YVR expects to see a record 17.5 million passengers flow through its gates this year.

The $1-billion construction program includes $420 million for international terminal upgrades and expansion, the $117-million Link building and the airport's $300-million contribution to the Canada Line rapid-transit line linking downtown Vancouver, Richmond and the airport.

All the site preparation and some of the design work has already been done for phase two, which will add another five gates to the terminal.

Ray Zibrik, president of YVR Project Management, the subsidiary company responsible for overseeing the project, said phase two won't be added until more capacity is needed.

''International traffic has flattened out a little bit,' he said. ''The next step is the concept design this year and getting done as much detailed design as we can and being ready when the demand is there. We have to keep our eye on the air transport regulations as well because that will determine volumes.''

The first phase includes 400 metres of moving walkways, 27 plasma signs that switch between multiple languages and check-in kiosks located at each of the new gates to help passengers re-book flights quickly in the event of a cancellation.

The building, which will be completed on June 1, will also feature a large aquarium showcasing marine life native to B.C., a 113,560-litre seawater tank housing 100 moon jellyfish and a stream running through the centre of the building.

The Link building joining the domestic and international terminals and the future Canada Line is expected to open this summer.

(Vancouver Province)

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