Vancouver International Airport (YVR) is going to be getting a lot busier.
The airport says it is ramping up its cargo operations in a major way, with plans to double its capacity in just five years.
Stephen Smart, head of communications for YVR, says this move will not only help lessen our reliance on the U.S., it will also give local businesses a competitive advantage.
“That’s really critical, because as that economic enabler, as an economic driver for Britain Columbia, for Canada, the more that we can do to get Canadian products to global markets, the better,” Smart said.
Air cargo is reserved for things that are perishable, valuable, or time-sensitive. This includes things like medical supplies, critical minerals, or mechanical parts.
Some cargo travels in dedicated freighter jets, but the majority is shipped in the bellies of passenger aircraft.
“Cathay Pacific right now is flying three times daily from YVR to Hong Kong,” Smart gave as an example.
“Hong Kong is a huge market for British Columbian products, including high-value seafoods.”
Dane Chauvel, co-founder and CEO of local seafood supplier Organic Ocean, says without air cargo, there would be no way he could sell his product overseas.
“What it has done for us is open up an entirely new market,” Chauvel said.
“We’ll be harvesting sockeye salmon in Barkley Sound on the West Coast of Vancouver Island tomorrow. They’ll be here in Vancouver on Wednesday, and they could be in Singapore or Hong Kong or Kuala Lumpur by Thursday.”
He says the impact has been tangible. Sales to Asia now make up 20 per cent of his company’s revenue, and that growth has easily eclipsed the company’s new sales in North America.
“We have hired more people,” he said.
“We haven’t had to let any go, and our business is growing.”
Exactly how YVR is going to move an extra 365,000 tonnes of cargo by 2031 is still getting figured out, but consultation with businesses that use the service is set to take place this summer. There are plans to put more emphasis on acting as a connecting airport — in much the same way a passenger might connect flights — as well as adding new routes to new markets, such as Vietnam.
“Every new wide-body, long-haul service to Asia, for instance, brings in about $50 million in economic impact, and 2 to 300 jobs,” said Smart.
“So add that up over a few routes, and you really see the impact coming through.”
Going forward, as B.C. works to diversify its economy, YVR says its prospects are looking up.