Vancouver Olympics Scramble February 13, 2010

The Winter Olympics are here, and we are off to Vancouver, British Columbia, the host of the 2010 winter games.

CYVR is a major airport just north of the border on one of the islands near Vancouver. There are plenty of flights within Canada of course, and many destinations in the US. Also, you can get to Asia, Europe, Oceania, Mexico and the Caribbean.

Acording to one source, Vancouver airport got its start after Charles Lindbergh refused to fly into the city due to the lack of a suitable faciltiy. The airport was built on Sea Island as a result.

In 2000, the airport's reputation as a world-class facility was established, when the International Air Transport Association's (IATA) survey of international passengers rated CYVR No. 1 in North America and No. 4 in the world. In 2003, CYVR was rated as the top airport in North America by passengers surveyed for the IATA annual global survey. Also in 2003, for the fifth consecutive year, CYVR was again chosen as one of the top ten airports in the world, the only Canadian airport to make the global top-ten list.

CYVR is Canada's second busiest airport, with some 16.9 million passengers, and 270,000 take-offs and landings in 2006. CYVR was the only North American stop for the Airbus380 in 2006 on a worldwide technical route proving series of flights.

If you arrive on one of the 26's, you will see Alex Fraser bridge, a little like football goal posts on arrival.

Many cities to choose from for this destination. Air Canada is part of the Star Alliance, and Vancouver is a hub. If your choice of destinations is not in VAFS, let me know and I will get you set up with flights.

Charts are available on the VATCAN website.

There is an Olympic Bonus special this week.

Check the comments for details.