Vancouver International Airport increased traffic and revenue in a year that might otherwise have delivered lower numbers, were it not for the 2010 Winter Olympic Games.
According to YVR’s annual and sustainability report for 2010, the airport netted $56 million after expenses, up from 2009’s $38.8 million.
YVR’s total revenue in 2010 was $368.7 million; expenditures were $280.8 million (plus $33.2 for ground leasing charges paid to Ottawa).
In the lead-up to the Winter Games, YVR spent $1.4 billion on capital works, including the airport segment of the Canada Line.
“Our efforts culminated in the busiest day in YVR’s history – March 1, 2010, the day after the Olympic Games closing ceremonies – when some 36,800 passengers with more than 57,000 bags departed YVR smoothly and seamlessly,” YVR’s president and CEO Larry Berg said in the annual report’s preamble.
In total, 16.8 million passengers flew in or out of YVR in 2010. That’s up from 2009 (16.2 million), but down from 2008 ( 17.9 million). YVR posted $81.8 million in revenue after expenses in 2008.
With 23,600 employees, YVR is the City of Richmond’s largest employer. Nationally, the airport contributed $1.9 billion to the Canadian economy. Governments received $600 million in taxes and other revenue from YVR.
The 2010 annual and sustainability report will be presented at the airport authority’s annual public meeting May 12, at 3:30 p.m. in the east concourse, departures level of the international terminal.
Nelson Bennett