$213-million Vancouver International Airport terminal expansion officially opens

After nearly two years of construction, Vancouver International Airport’s $213-million A-B Connector at the southern end of the domestic terminal building officially opened on Tuesday.

The 296,000 square foot terminal building expansion provides improved passenger flow, increased gate capacity and holdroom space, new security and safety enhancements, seismic upgrades, and a more comfortable and efficient experience with new amenities, shopping and food options.

This includes ten new retail offerings such as Marshall Rousso, Tumi, Lick (candy store), Vino Volo, Famous Famiglia, Green Bean Café and Carl’s Jr. to bring YVR’s total number of retail offerings to over 170. There is also a 7,166 square foot Plaza Premium Lounge, the largest pay-per-use lounge in North America.

A new high-speed baggage system also serves the AB Connector to drastically increase the speed bags move between the domestic and international areas of the terminal.

When it comes to architecture and interior design, the terminal expansion is a consistent continuation of the same West Coast “sense of place” that the rest of the terminal is known for. A four storey tall art piece, “The Rivers Monument” by local First Nations artist Marianne Nicolson, is the centrepiece of the expansion’s largest open public area.

The terminal expansion is the first major infrastructure project completed as part of YVR’s $1.8-billion, 10-year gateway strategy announced in 2012 to keep YVR competitive with other major international airports, particularly Calgary, Seattle and Toronto.

“We’re proud to deliver this project on plan and on budget,” said Craig Richmond, President and CEO, Vancouver Airport Authority. “YVR is facing increased competition from other airports and both travellers and airlines have choices. In order to remain competitive and continue to be an economic generator and jobs creator for British Columbia, we must continue to invest in projects that make it easier and faster for passengers and their baggage to move through the airport.”

WestJet, Central Mountain Air, Air North, Hawkair, Sunwing and Air Transat will be the main users of the new AB Connector. No taxpayer funds were required to fund the project; the expansion was built using funds from the Airport Improvement Fee, retail sales and airplane landing fees.

The first phase of the AB Connector project opened in the summer of 2014 and the final phase of the expansion opened late last week.

Image: Vancouver International Airport

Feature Image: Vancouver International Airport