China Southern YVR Guangzhou flights

China Southern Airlines will fly to Vancouver International Airport (YVR), offering Canada’s first and only nonstop flight to China’s most populous province, Guangdong. Beginning June 15, 2011, China Southern will begin its YVR service, offering three flights weekly to and from the province’s capital city of Guangzhou.

China Southern Airlines’ YVR service will use Boeing 777-200 aircraft, with capacity for 282 passengers. Flights will operate three times per week on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, arriving at YVR at 10:20 AM and departing nonstop to Guangzhou at 12 noon.

The service to Guangzhou represents not only a new destination, but a new airline for YVR. This means more options for passengers, and greater opportunities for business and for tourism, particularly given Canada’s recent Approved Destination Status from China.
“With China as British Columbia’s second-largest trading partner, continuing to provide expanded air service to the country has been a key objective for Vancouver Airport Authority as we work to build YVR as a premier global gateway to the Asia-Pacific region,” said Larry Berg, President and Chief Executive Officer, Vancouver Airport Authority. “I commend China Southern on its choice to expand its international network to Canada, and to capitalize on the trade and travel opportunities available here in B.C.”
“This new route is great news for Canada’s Pacific Gateway and another clear indication that YVR is a world-class gateway for passengers and airfreight,” said Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure Blair Lekstrom. “Government and industry partners have committed $22 billion to expand and enhance airport, port, road and rail infrastructure in the Pacific Gateway to meet those growing demands.”

British Columbia’s population has strong linkages to Guangdong as many new Canadians have roots in the Chinese province. Guangdong contributes approximately 12 per cent of China’s national economic output and is home to the production facilities and offices of a wide range of multinational and Chinese corporations. Currently, passengers travelling between Canada and Guangdong must route through Shanghai, Beijing or Hong Kong.