The nearest Vancouver International Airport can only be described in one word – paralysis. Staggering long lines of people meander, crowded with travelers, and social distancing between people is about equal to nothing. As a result, the check-in time has been extended several times, and a large number of passengers have missed their flights!
Imaged from: Global News
Mike McNaney, YVR Chief External Affairs Officer, said the airport now floods with 45,000 passengers a day! And this crowding will continue until this summer!
I want to know that now that the immigration policy is relaxed, the weather is gradually warmer, and the summer vacation is coming. It is not surprising that the long-suppressed travel demand has been released and the airport has been paralyzed.
Many passengers with unknown circumstances arrived at the airport only to find that the boarding time was extended several times, and as a result, they directly missed the flight and could not go.
Passenger Joni Low, who had planned to fly from Vancouver to Saskatoon earlier this week, arrived at the airport 90 minutes earlier as required, only to have her flight flown away by the time she arrived at the boarding gate because of the long security checks.
There were also passengers on Twitter who complained: "It was around 3 p.m. today, and the line was lined up to the international boarding gate." What a shame for Vancouver International Airport! ”
Image: Twitter
Even Mike McNani, YVR Chief External Affairs Officer, lamented, "I've been in the aviation industry for more than 20 years, and this is the first time I've encountered this." The number of passengers who have missed their flights recently is indeed very high. ”
The busy YVR airport was forced to announce: please arrive at the airport at least 3 hours in advance.
Image: Twitter
However, as far as the situation found by the editor is concerned, 3 hours in advance is not safe.
Some Chinese travelers posted that they flew from Vancouver to Toronto on May 2, with a transit time of two and a half hours. Before, this time was more than enough, only to arrive at the airport only to find that it was full of people, and there was a long queue in front of the formalities counter, which was very slow. Fortunately, in the end, the netizen asked for help from the staff and successfully boarded the plane.
Photo from: Little Red Book
The netizen suggested that passengers flying from Vancouver to Toronto should stay 5-6 hours before insurance. Canada's domestic flights still take 5-6 hours to complete the formalities, and the speed of international flights is even more imaginable. Especially for Chinese travelers who want to prepare to return to China, it is best to make more surplus to avoid being unable to board the plane.
After all, the time cost and economic cost of returning to China are too high, and it is a pity to miss the flight because the check-in procedures are too late.
Moreover, just today (May 3), there were even passengers flying from Vancouver to Shanghai who were kicked a moment before boarding the plane and were ultimately unable to make the trip.
The netizen posted that he was supposed to take Air Canada flight on May 3 from Vancouver to Shanghai. As a result, I was told at the airport that I couldn't fly! And there was no prior notice. The good travel plan was invalidated and the loss was heavy.
Photo from: Little Red Book
The reason for the netizen's refusal to board the plane should be the 40% attendance rule that Air Canada is implementing recently. This is the latest policy of Shanghai some time ago: a 40% attendance limit was set on inbound international flights, and flights of many airlines in the United States and Canada cancelled the itinerary of many passengers.
However, Air Canada's "kicking" notice is generally issued 48 hours before departure, and it is too much to be denied boarding at the airport like this netizen.
According to the prediction of the aviation big V @ North American ticket emperor, the next month's North American flights will be kicked on a large scale! Travelers with travel plans must pay attention.
Photo from: Weibo
As for the recent increase in check-in time at Vancouver Airport, the reason for passengers' delays is not only the surge in passenger traffic caused by retaliatory travel, but also the problems of the airport itself.
Mike McNaney, YVR's chief external affairs officer, said the continued shortage of personnel from the Canadian Air Transport Safety Agency (CATSA) had caused lengthy delays in airport security screenings.
Vancouver Airport issued a document reminding passengers that they need to make the following preparations before boarding.
1. Arrive early. The airport strongly recommends that all passengers departing from Vancouver arrive at the airport early – at least two hours in advance for domestic flights and at least three hours for U.S. and international flights.
2. If you can, please check in online and have your boarding pass ready on your mobile phone or print it out to carry around.
3. Pay attention to airport signs. Passengers may be guided through specific checkpoints, please follow the signs inside the terminal.
4. Passengers carrying carry-on baggage ensure that liquids, gels and aerosols are packed in containers of less than 100 ml and in a transparent, closed and resealable plastic bag.
5. Please prepare your travel documents, including your passport and vaccination certificate, before checking in.
I wish you all the best of luck with your trip.