In the 1930’s renowned aviator snubbed Vancouver for a stop over as there was “no fit field to land on”.
This spurred on the city of Vancouver to begin construction of a small wood-framed administration building and control tower on the relatively undeveloped Sea Island in Richmond which opened on July 22nd 1931.
Vancouver Airport has seen and been part of the growth and development of not just the city but the entire province of British Columbia over the past 8 decades. Connecting the world to Vancouver and beyond has been instrumental in growing trade, manufacturing, tourism and commerce in BC. 
From a humble 1930’s single runway and small building, to Royal Canadian Air Force base and a Boeing manufacturing plant during World War II, the dawn of the Jet Age and “International Airport” status in the 60’s and expansions through the 70’s, 80’s and 90’s, YVR grew at an amazing pace. Landmark events like taking in thousands of passengers stranded by airspace closures after the Sept 11 terrorist attacks up to welcoming the world for the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics and then the unprecedented processing of a record 37,000 departing passengers after the closing of the Games have secured Vancouver International as a premier global airport as confirmed by SkyTrax naming YVR number 1 airport in North American numerous times.
To help recognize and celebrate these achievements YVR is holding an open house with a weekend of activities planed. Musicians, DJs, caricaturists, balloon artists and mascots are some of the family friendly activities located in the International (near “The Jade Canoe: The Spirit of Haida Gwaii” sculpture) and Domestic (in the Public Observation Area) terminals. A historic photo gallery, starting in International, takes you through the history of the Airport and on a walk through the terminals. Look out to the airfield each day at 11am and you’ll see demonstrations of the firefighting and emergency trucks standing by at YVR each day. Also take the free shuttle to the South Terminal and you can see the Vintage Aircraft on display.
