(Left to Right) Mr. Jing Yiming, president, Shanghai Airport Authority, and Craig Richmond, president & CEO, Vancouver Airport Authority, sign a Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation, designed to reinforce ties between British Columbia and China.
Vancouver Airport Authority recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation with Shanghai Airport Authority, which is designed to strengthen the relationship between the two organizations and jointly develop air services, cultural exchanges and business opportunities.
“We are very excited about this agreement with Shanghai Airport Authority,” said Craig Richmond, president and CEO, Vancouver Airport Authority. “YVR is continuing to make strong progress towards better serving the Chinese market and close partnerships with world class organizations like Shanghai Airport Authority ensure that we grow and strengthen Vancouver’s air connections between Asia and the Americas.”
The cooperation agreement will encourage both organizations to share knowledge and learn from one another. It supports working together on projects that will benefit each other’s respective airports including hub and cargo development, planning, commercial management and service quality evaluation. Additionally, the agreement encourages cross-marketing opportunities.
“Shanghai is building itself as an aviation metropolis which requires a first-class airport and first-class port,” said Jing Yiming, president, Shanghai Airport Authority. “By serving in its role as an international passenger and cargo transit hub, China’s gateway, and an express transfer centre, Pudong International Airport is well-equipped to help drive Shanghai to become one of the most competitive air cargo markets in the Asia Pacific region, thanks to its excellent facilities and optimized Customs clearance and operating procedures.”
In February 2015, both organizations undertook a study to stimulate the cold supply chain for perishable goods.
The Memorandum of Understanding signed last month builds on this partnership, further improving each organization’s overall aviation business. It also strengthens a growing collaboration between Canada and China, and opens up new business opportunities for both sides.
Vancouver Airport Authority’s commitment to building a sustainable gateway hub is apparent through these signed agreements.
YVR remains the only North American airport served by four mainland Chinese carriers. Its strong linkages with China, which total 70 flights per week during the summer, gained another key destination last month as China Eastern began direct service from YVR to Kunming Changshui International Airport (KMG) via Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG).
Vancouver is the first North American destination from Kunming, Yunnan—one of China’s premier tourism regions—and a key gateway destination.
For more information on this new YVR-KMG service, please visit yvr.ca.
