There’s a new way travelers can bypass the sometimes lengthy security line at Vancouver International Airport.
The YVR Express service allows travelers to schedule an appointment for a security check up to 72 hours before their flight, allowing them to be ahead of the queue upon arrival.
The appointments are expected to “reduce wait times for security checkpoints” while “creating a more predictable experience for both passengers and staff,” the airport said in a news release. solstice.
During the summer, YVR saw huge lineups caused by a combination of staffing shortages and a large influx of travelers, many of whom flew for the first time since its inception. COVID-19 pandemic.
Officials say passenger traffic over the long weekend of Labor Day has reached pre-pandemic levels, with more than 67,000 visitors passing through YVR on Sunday alone. The airport handled about 77,000 passengers a day in 2019.
While the YVR Express service will likely be an attractive option for many travelers, it is only available to those coming to the United States – at least for now.
In a statement, Robyn Mcvicker of Vancouver Airport Authority said officials “aim to expand YVR Express to our domestic and international security checkpoints at the airport in the coming months.” so that all visitors at YVR have more control over their travel itinerary.”
To book an appointment, travelers must enter their flight details and email address online. They are then given a QR code that they can use to request a reservation within 15 minutes of their allotted time.
YVR officials acknowledge delays and congestion have frustrated travelers in recent months, but said the airport “has not yet experienced the level of operational disruption that has affected major airports worldwide world during the summer”, despite a spike in demand.
Passenger traffic increased about 170% from January to August, they said.
