When Vancouver and Whistler played host to the Invictus Games Vancouver Whistler 2025 in February, teams at YVR had a unique chance to connect with competitors and their loved ones when they arrived at the airport.
The Invictus Games Vancouver Whistler 2025, which has been held worldwide since 2014, see wounded, injured, and sick service members and veterans competing in adaptive sporting events. This year’s event brought together nearly 600 competitors representing 23 countries worldwide.YVR teamed up with Musqueam First Nation, federal agencies and the event organizers to greet and support arriving athletes, with dedicated staff ambassadors providing a warm welcome at boarding gates.
There was equal enthusiasm from many Invictus competitors, including Invictus athletes from New Zealand, who performed a traditional haka in return.
YVR has a proven record of welcoming the world for major events, and as the Invictus Games Vancouver Whistler 2025 was approaching, the airport focused specifically on enhancing its accessibility measures.
Inclusive and accessible travel is already essential to YVR’s overall approach to providing an outstanding travel experience, guided by its Beyond Accessibility plan. For example, the airport’s terminals include accessible facilities, dedicated assistance services for travellers with disabilities, and communication support for those with hearing or visual impairments.
For the Invictus Games Vancouver Whistler 2025, YVR added two new temporary quiet rooms in its Arrivals areas, additional self-driving pods from Vancouver-based A&K Robotics to assist passengers with mobility needs, dedicated customs lanes for Invictus competitors (in collaboration with the Canadian Border Services Agency) and increased staffing to assist with equipment, baggage and the movement of specialized and adapted sports gear.
Employees at YVR were also invited to the opening ceremony at BC Place to celebrate the teams and competitors they had previously welcomed at the airport.
Click this link to learn more about YVR’s Beyond Accessibility plan.
