Premier Christy Clark today welcomed increased passenger air service between Vancouver and Shanghai, China as China Eastern Airlines doubles its flights from once a day to twice daily.

Premier Clark was joined by Vancouver Airport Authority president and CEO Craig Richmond, China Eastern General Manager Margaret Meng, Minister of International Trade, Asia-Pacific Strategy and Multiculturalism and MLA for Richmond Centre Teresa Wat, Member of Parliament for Richmond Alice Wong and Consul General of China in Vancouver Liu Fei.

"China Eastern's expansion of air services is another sign of increasing travel and trade between B.C. and China," said Premier Clark. "Expanding air services are another way we can leverage B.C.'s competitive advantages to increase trade, create jobs, and support communities."

This increased service further strengthens Canada's Asia-Pacific Gateway and will afford Canadians living in British Columbia and nationally more choices for international travel to China. The additional flights, along with Canada's Approved Destination Status from China, will contribute to the national economy and create more opportunities for the Chinese to visit Canada.

"The doubling of flights is another sign of the importance of travel, tourism, trade and cultural connections between B.C. and Asia," said Wat. "The expanded air service means more jobs for B.C. families, not only at YVR and Richmond, but also throughout the province as new business opportunities are created."

"One of the goals of our Pacific Gateway transportation strategy is to expand passenger traffic to Asia by 40 per cent by 2020 so this upgraded China Eastern service is a great step forward," said Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Todd Stone. "China Eastern's expansion will give British Columbian and Chinese businesses more opportunities to expand trade, create jobs and make new personal connections between B.C. and China."

Here in British Columbia, China Eastern's service increase is expected to generate the equivalent of more than 470 full-time jobs both at YVR and in B.C.'s hotels, restaurants, shops and tourist attractions from additional visitors coming to B.C. on the new China Eastern flight.

In addition, Destination British Columbia works with China Eastern Airlines to promote B.C. and supports their Vancouver office through the provision of B.C. product information and collateral materials. Destination British Columbia also works with the airline to identify potential marketing opportunities to promote the province through their various partners and channels.

As a result of the government's continued efforts to strengthen the Asia Pacific Gateway, direct flights between Vancouver and mainland China are up 50 per cent this summer compared with summer 2012.

A backgrounder follows.

Contact:

Sam Oliphant
Office of the Premier
250 952-7252

(flickr.com)

BACKGROUNDER

Asia Pacific Gateway

• B.C. enjoys a significant competitive advantage as the ideal gateway connecting the Asia-Pacific region and North America.

• Canada's second-busiest airport, Vancouver International Airport welcomed 17.6 million people in 2012, facilitated more than 296,000 aircraft take-offs and landings and handled 228,000 tonnes of cargo.

• The airport anticipates serving more than 23 million passengers and moving 392,000 tonnes of air cargo annually by 2020. 23,600 people work at YVR, equivalent to the size of a small city such as Courtenay. 400 businesses operate at YVR.

• YVR annually contributes $1.9 billion in GDP to the Canadian economy.

• Chinese visitors spend an average of $1,600 per person when they visit Canada.

• China Eastern Airlines Co. Ltd is one of the biggest airlines in China with flights to over 856 destinations.

• The BC Jobs Plan commits the Province to aggressively seek out partnerships with aviation companies to increase flights to British Columbia.

• B.C. continues to see strong growth from the world's fastest growing outbound travel market, China, up 23.9 percent in April 2013 and up 21.3 percent year-to-date (Jan-April).

• Between 2001-2012, trade with Mainland China increased by nearly 650 per cent, going from $768,210 to $5,752,091 in 2012.

• With this service and other existing connections, YVR is North America's gateway of choice to the Asia-Pacific region, offering the most carriers, destinations and frequencies - 75 every week - to mainland China and Hong Kong of any North American airport.

• New services can also bring international students into K-12, post-secondary and language training institutions throughout the province as well as creating new business for local tourist destinations.

Contact:

Blair Phelps, Communications Director
Ministry of International Trade and Minister Responsible for Asia Pacific Strategy and Multiculturalism
250 356-7104