Vancouver International Airport
About YVR
Overview
Vancouver International Airport sits on Sea Island in the city of Richmond, approximately 12 kilometres south of downtown Vancouver in British Columbia, Canada. It serves as the primary international gateway for western Canada and the second-busiest airport in the country. The airport opened in 1931, replacing the earlier Minoru Park airfield on Lulu Island, and has since grown into a major Pacific Rim hub.
Terminals & runways
The airport operates a Main Terminal handling domestic and international flights, alongside a separate South Terminal serving regional, charter, and floatplane operations. Three runways are in use: two parallel east–west runways and a shorter crosswind runway. The facility runs 24 hours a day, with ongoing expansion projects continuing to enlarge the international pier and modernise gate areas.
Airlines
Vancouver functions as a major hub for Air Canada and a focus city for WestJet, with both carriers operating extensive domestic, transborder, and long-haul networks. Air Transat and Flair Airlines also maintain a notable presence. Numerous international carriers serve the airport, including those linking Vancouver with key cities across Asia, Europe, Oceania, and the United States.