For most Vancouverites, a trip to YVR is part of the routine: whether it’s to catch a flight or greet a loved one returning from afar. As the city has grown into an international hub, Vancouver’s lone major airport has become an integral part of our province and has earned international accolades. So then why is YVR located in Richmond, a suburb, rather than closer to the city centre? The answer is simpler than you might think.
For most Vancouverites, a trip to YVR is part of the routine: whether it’s to catch a flight or greet a loved one returning from afar. As the city has grown into an international hub, Vancouver’s lone major airport has become an integral part of our province and has earned international accolades.
So then why is YVR located in Richmond, a suburb, rather than closer to the city centre? The answer is simpler than you might think.
Back in 1928 local officials realized a major issue: the city was geographically isolated by the surrounding mountains, making it difficult to connect with the rest of Canada. As airplanes began to rise in popularity for cross-country travel, Vancouver didn’t have a proper place for them to land.
Pilots of the time often had to make do, landing on open fields and hoping the landowner or authorities wouldn’t take notice.
The situation was exacerbated when Charles Lindbergh, the world-famous aviator, publicly declared that he couldn’t land in Vancouver because the city lacked "a fit field to land on." At the time, Lindbergh was arguably the most famous person in the world, and his critique didn’t sit well with locals or officials who were eager to prove that their city was capable of hosting international air traffic.
To resolve the issue, Vancouver’s city leaders petitioned the federal government in Ottawa to fund and build an airport that could serve both domestic and international flights.
Ottawa approved the proposal, but the next question was where to build it.
Several potential locations were considered for the airport, including X̱wemelch'stn, (Capilano Reserve No. 5) near North Vancouver, Spanish Banks in Point Grey, and a site near Burnaby Lake. Ultimately, the decision came down to two options: Sea Island in Richmond and the north side of the Burrard Inlet near the Second Narrows Bridge.
Sea Island won because of its affordability, immediate availability for development, and its proximity to downtown Vancouver and surrounding regions.
Vancouver then began acquiring the land and improving infrastructure around the site to create what would eventually become YVR.
The airport opened in 1931 and has been a cornerstone of the city ever since. Over the years, it has served as a hub for commercial travel, hosted and trained pilots during World War II, and welcomed international heads of state, celebrities, and immigrants—Mr. Lindbergh aside.
Fast forward to today, and YVR has become one of the top airports in the world. In 2024, it was named the best airport in North America by Skytrax’s World Airport Awards, based on votes from over 13 million passengers globally. YVR ranked 17th in the world, making it the only North American airport to crack the top 20.
For comparison, Montreal’s Trudeau International Airport and Toronto’s Pearson International Airport ranked 53rd and 63rd, respectively.
After nearly 100 years of service, YVR continues to be a vital part of Vancouver and British Columbia’s economy, helping connect the Pacific Northwest with the rest of the world.
So, while the location of Vancouver’s airport may seem odd, its strategic placement in Richmond has proven to be a wise decision. Are you headed to YVR soon?
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