RICHMOND - China Southern Airlines will operate a nonstop flight three times a week from the city of Guangzhou to YVR. The flights will provide lots of options for passengers travelling on business and for pleasure and also mean new jobs for many Lower Mainland families.

Premier Christy Clark, Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure Blair Lekstrom, and Minister of State for Small Business and Tourism Maxime Bernier welcomed China Southern Airlines’ first flight from Guangzhou to Vancouver International Airport (YVR).

Why It Matters:

• It demonstrates the economic benefits of increasing air traffic from Asia Pacific trade, specifically new jobs created for B.C. families.
• China Southern Airlines passenger service will annually generate 44 person-years of employment, $2.2 million in wages and contribute $3.5 million to B.C.’s economy.
• It highlights another success for the Pacific Gateway Alliance and more evidence that Canada’s Pacific Gateway is the preferred gateway to North America and the World for Asian trade.
• It shows the power of collaboration between the Pacific Gateway partners and the unique strength it gives B.C. against its competitors
• Government and industry partners have committed $22 billion to expand and enhance port, rail, road and airport infrastructure in the Pacific Gateway to meet those growing demands.

Quick Facts:

• China Southern Airlines’ YVR service will use Boeing 777-200 aircraft, with capacity for 282 passengers.
• This new service was made possible under the existing bilateral air transport agreement with China. 
• CSA is the world's 3rd largest airline in terms of passengers carried, and Asia's largest airline in terms of both fleet size and passengers carried. 
• CSA is also planning a new cargo service to Shanghai from Vancouver International Airport (YVR).

Learn More at:

http://www.yvr.ca
http://www.csair.com/en/index.asp
For photos: http://www.flickr.com//photos/bcgovphotos/sets/72157626295738756/show/

Media Contacts:

Jeff Knight
Government Communications and Public Engagement
Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure
250 356-7707