Vancouver International Airport is gearing up for a summer of unprecedented activity, with an expected 7.8 million passengers passing through its gates between June and August. According to the airport’s latest report, this surge translates to an average of 85,196 passengers daily and a total of 62,387 flights, encompassing arrivals and departures.
The peak day of the season is projected to be August 15th, when 90,886 passengers are anticipated, closely followed by August 19th and September 2nd with 90,856 and 90,812 passengers respectively.
For travelers departing Vancouver, the top domestic destination this summer is Toronto, while Los Angeles ranks highest for U.S.-bound passengers, and London leads for international travelers, followed by Hong Kong, Tokyo, and Frankfurt.
Of the expected 7,838,105 passengers, approximately half will travel domestically, with the remaining evenly split between U.S. and international destinations. Baggage handlers at the airport are preparing to process 6.2 million bags during the busy season.
This surge in summer travel coincides with a notable increase in domestic flight prices, which have risen by an average of 14 percent compared to last year. Chris Lynes, Managing Director of Flight Centre Travel Group in Canada, attributes this rise to reduced seat capacity and less competition among carriers.
Despite higher domestic fares, flights to the United States and Europe have become more affordable, offering passengers broader options for international travel as airlines expand their overseas services.