ANMC Minutes - March 2026

Meeting Date/Time: 5 March 2026, 1300H-1500H
Meeting Location: Online (Microsoft Teams)
In Attendance
Chair:	Wendy Avis	Director, Climate and Environment - YVRAA
Secretariat:	Rachel Min-Brown	Environmental Analyst - YVRAA
Participants:	Graeme Bant Kevin Eng Hugh Campbell Erin Newman-Renwick Sunita Lucertini Terry Hiebert Ammaar Ghogawala Brenden McBain Dave Schneider Mark Cheng	Staff Representative - City of Delta Staff Representative - City of Richmond Staff Representative - City of Surrey Citizen Representative - City of Vancouver Staff Representative - City of Vancouver Float Plane Operators Association Noise Information Coordinator - YVRAA Manager, Climate and Environment - YVRAA Manager, Regulatory Compliance - YVRAA Supervisor, Noise Abatement & Air Quality - YVRAA
Guest:	Nathaniel Wong	Manager, Air Service Development - YVRAA

1.0 Welcome and Introduction

Wendy Avis welcomed attendees and acknowledged that YVR operates on the unceded, ancestral, traditional territory of the Musqueam people.

2.0 Passenger Traffic Update

Nathaniel Wong provided an update on the passenger and cargo activity at YVR.

In 2025, passenger volumes reached a record 26.9 million, exceeding the previous peak in 2019 and representing a 2.7% increase over 2024. Growth was primarily driven by domestic and international sectors, particularly Asia-Pacific, while transborder and Latin America sectors experienced declines. Cargo also continued to perform strongly in 2025 with over 364,000 tonnes handled, a 7.4% increase over the previous year.

YVR is currently forecasting approximately 27.1 million passengers for 2026, while continuing to monitor global economic uncertainty and geopolitical factors. The upcoming summer season is expected to be busy, supported by cruise activity, FIFA related travel, and several new and expanded air services.

3.0 Airport Updates

Wendy provided the following updates:

2025 Update
2025 was a strong year operationally, with performance indicators such as security wait times, baggage handling, and on-time departures meeting or exceeding targets. Customer and airline satisfaction levels remained high throughout the year as well. Progress toward YVR’s climate commitments also continued, with reductions in greenhouse gas emissions supported by investments in electrification, energy efficiency, and terminal upgrades.
Staffing Update
Two new members joined the Climate and Environment team: Grainne McIvor, Environmental Analyst (carbon and energy), and James Wei, eight-month co-op student supporting carbon and energy initiatives. Recruitment is ongoing for a vacant manager position.
2026 Business Plan
An overview of YVR’s 2026 Business Plan was provided. Three organizational priorities include sustaining operational performance and customer excellence, improving commercial performance, and delivering on climate and sustainability commitments.
Low Carbon Jet Fuel Incentive Program
Updates were provided on the Sustainable Aviation Fuel incentive program. The program, now in its third year, recently closed its application period. It aims to encourage the uplift of sustainable aviation fuel in British Columbia.
FIFA
Preparations for hosting FIFA events in Vancouver between June and July 2026 are well underway, including terminal maintenance and appearance upgrades. Passenger volumes are not expected to exceed typical summer peak levels, but these peak levels may be experienced earlier in the summer than usual.

Mark Cheng noted the following from an aircraft operations perspective:

No special airspace restrictions affecting aircraft flight paths over the Lower Mainland are expected during the FIFA period.
YVR’s published Noise Abatement Procedures require prior approval of jet aircraft rated over 34,000 kg departing between midnight and 6 AM, and ferry flights during this period are generally denied based on YVR’s guidelines. However, to address anticipated limited apron parking capacity for aircraft during the FIFA period, select ferry departures may be approved to allow aircraft to leave and park at another airport.

4.0 Vancouver Airspace Modernization Project

Implementation Update:

Mark Cheng provided an update on the ongoing implementation of VAMP. Phase 1 of the new arrival procedures were implemented on 27 November 2025. A comparison of flight tracks before and after implementation was shared to illustrate changes in flight paths associated with the new arrival procedures. This showed a northward shift of the north downwind arrival route to areas to the north and northeast of the airport. Areas to the east, south, and southeast of the airport have generally experienced little change to flight paths.

Phase 2 will introduce Required Navigation Performance (RNP) approach procedures, which are expected to reduce flight track dispersion and provide more consistent routing. The first set of RNP procedures are planned to be introduced in late February 2026, with remaining procedures scheduled for early April.

NAV CANADA is planning to conduct a 180-day post-implementation review. The completion of this review is expected in Fall 2026 and will include assessments of operational performance, community feedback, and noise monitoring results. A public report will be issued, and Committee members were invited to provide input on information they would find valuable to include in the report. Samples of previous 180-day reports were provided to Committee members to review.

Community Concerns:

Rachel Min-Brown provided a summary of noise concerns received since the Phase 1 implementation. Between November 27 and the end of February, 565 concerns were received from 28 individuals, with most concerns being submitted by a few individuals in Vancouver and North Burnaby. Most of the concerns were related to the relocated north downwind. All concerns will be reviewed as part of NAV CANADA’s 180 day post implementation review.

Noise Monitoring:

Mark Cheng provided an update on noise monitoring efforts to support VAMP. YVR has secured permission from the City of Burnaby to install a new permanent Noise Monitoring Terminal (NMT) at their McGill Branch library near Confederation Park in North Burnaby. Installation is scheduled to begin shortly. Data from this new NMT will support the post-implementation review and will become part of YVR’s permanent noise monitoring network, with results shared through ongoing reporting and the airport’s website. Additional temporary noise monitoring is also planned in coordination with NAV CANADA to supplement existing data, and results will be included in the 180-day post-implementation review report.

5.0 2025 Year-end Review

Ammaar Ghogawala provided a year-end review of aircraft movements and noise concern stats. In 2025, a total of 1,423 concerns were received from 175 individuals. 1,118 of these concerns were registered by three individuals.

6.0 Q1 Summary

Rachel presented the summary of noise concerns received in January-February 2026. A total of 420 concerns were received from 34 individuals during this period.

7.0 Other Business

South Runway Maintenance and Project Schedule
YVR teams are reviewing the south airfield maintenance and project schedule for April-December 2026, and multiple overnight closures are anticipated between mid-April and early June. Once finalized, community advisories and the schedule will be posted on the YVR website and shared with Committee members.
Noise Website Update and Video
Updated noise management web content, along with a new video focused on night-time noise abatement procedures, will go live in March.
Noise Management 101
At the previous meeting, YVR noise management staff proposed to provide educational presentations on various aviation noise management topics at future in-person meetings to help support knowledge and information exchange. A survey was sent out to gather input on proposed topics and help map out a schedule. Committee members were reminded to complete the survey if they have not yet done so.
September Meeting
The next ANMC meeting will be held in person on September 17 at YVR. Committee members were invited to share suggestions for topics or speakers for the meeting.

MEETING ADJOURNMENT

Wendy Avis thanked the attendees for their time and adjourned the meeting at 2:15PM.

Next Regular ANMC Meeting: September 17, 2026