Vancouver International Airport Celebrates Year Two of Accessibility Progress with New Initiatives and Achievements

(IN SHORT) Vancouver International Airport (YVR) has released its Year Two Progress Report on the Beyond Accessibility initiative, outlining significant achievements in improving accessibility for all travelers. Notable accomplishments include the introduction of quiet spaces, enhanced mobility assistance, assistive listening devices, and the launch of the Travel Rehearsal Program. YVR’s ongoing commitment to accessibility aims to create a truly inclusive and seamless airport experience, with further initiatives planned for the years ahead.

(PRESS RELEASE) VANCOUVER, 2025-May-30 — /Travel PR News/ — Vancouver International Airport | L’Aéroport International de Vancouver (YVR) is proud to release its Year Two Progress Report on its Beyond Accessibility initiative, highlighting key achievements and future actions in its ongoing commitment to improving accessibility across the airport. Recognized as one of the world’s most accessible airports, YVR’s accessibility efforts continue to evolve, as the airport works toward achieving its goal of becoming a truly inclusive and accessible space for all travelers.

Serving our community is central to YVR’s mission. We are committed to continuously listening and learning from individuals with lived experiences to invest in services that prioritize accessibility at every touchpoint. Our goal is to remove barriers, create more opportunities, and ensure that everyone can fully enjoy all aspects of the YVR experience. This report provides a comprehensive overview of the second year of our Accessibility Plan and details the progress made across various focus areas, while also outlining activities that will continue to advance in the years ahead.

“We continue to make significant strides toward becoming an inclusive and accessible airport that reflects the diversity of our community,” said Tamara Vrooman, President & CEO of Vancouver International Airport. “This report highlights the ongoing efforts and the tangible impact of our work to make YVR a more accessible airport for everyone.”

Since launching the Accessibility Plan in 2023, YVR has made remarkable progress across all eight focus areas of the plan, while meeting the Canadian Transportation Agency’s Accessible Transportation for Persons with Disabilities Regulations.

Key Achievements from June 2024 through May 2025

Built Environment

• Added three quiet spaces within the terminal equipped with sound-dampening materials to assist guests with sensory sensitivities, anxiety, or other neurodiverse needs.
• Installed two designated indoor animal relief areas for passengers traveling with service animals and pets.
• Outside the terminal, new intercom buttons and seating benches were added to improve curbside assistance for guests.

Information and Communication Technologies

• Integrated YVR’s mobility assistance program into the Digital Twin platform, enhancing the ability to track wheelchair availability in real time to optimize operational efficiency.

Communication

• Installed 27 assistive listening devices at check-in counters to help individuals who are Deaf or hard of hearing by reducing background noise and improving audio clarity.

Procurement of Goods, Services, and Facilities

• Purchased a new passenger boarding ramp for the South Terminal, complete with a canopy cover to shield passengers from weather conditions, making boarding and deplaning faster and more comfortable.

Design and Delivery of Programs and Services

• Launched the individual Travel Rehearsal Program, allowing passengers with booked travel to rehearse airport procedures ahead of their flight to reduce travel-related stress.
• Piloted autonomous pod technology through A&K Robotics, offering travelers greater freedom and independence in reaching their gates and accessing airport services.

Transportation

• Enhanced curbside signage with braille and tactile indicators at pick-up locations for courtesy shuttles, taxis, and rideshare services to further improve accessibility.

Consultations

• Engaged with community partners through both online and in-person consultations, holding monthly check-ins with accessibility consultants to review ongoing initiatives and ensure they align with inclusive design best practices.

Employment

• Conducted a company-wide workspace refresh, incorporating wheelchair accessible workstations, noise management solutions, leading ergonomics, and braille and tactile signage, fulfilling YVR’s commitment to accessibility within the workplace.

Looking Ahead
YVR remains dedicated to providing all passengers with a smooth and seamless airport experience. The ongoing success of the Accessibility Plan reflects our commitment to continually listening to the needs of our guests, community partners, employees, and stakeholders. The accessibility community’s response to YVR’s Year Two Progress Report can be found here.

To read the full Year Two Progress Report on Accessibility or for more information about YVR’s accessibility features, please visit Accessibility Plan & Feedback | YVR.

YVR Media Relations
media_relations@yvr.ca
604-880-9815

SOURCE: Vancouver Airport Authority