Meet Dora Kay, Talking Opening Markets & Pacific Gateway

The elimination of the aviation fuel tax for international flights operating out of BC is great news for Vancouver International Airport.

This tax change has strengthened YVR’s position in a very competitive market and helps build on its efforts to be the preferred gateway between North America and the growing Asian market.

That’s where Dora Kay comes in. Dora is the Vancouver Airport Authority’s senior policy advisor on Asia. Part of her job is to help existing Asian airlines at YVR with their growth plans while marketing YVR’s advantages to potential Asian carriers.

Dora Kay, YVR's Senior Policy Advisor

Dora communicates regularly with key industry stakeholders to enhance tourism and business travel to and from the Asia-Pacific.

“I get to work with so many different people from so many different countries on a variety of topics related to building YVR as the premier gateway to the Asia-Pacific,” Dora said. “There’s never a dull day.”

Sixty-two airlines serve YVR, connecting people and businesses to 99 destinations in Canada, the U.S. and around the world.

The elimination of the jet fuel tax, effective April 1 this year – coupled with Vancouver Airport Authority’s Gateway Incentive Program to freeze landing and terminal fees at 2010 levels – means airlines are saving thousands of dollars a day on long-haul flights to Asia and other international destinations.

This has prompted 22 airlines to commit to expanding their service in Vancouver, creating new jobs for British Columbians in the process.

It’s simple: new flights create jobs
Every new daily international flight adds between 150 and 200 direct jobs at YVR and an additional 400 indirect jobs at hotels, restaurants, travel agencies, attractions and many other businesses.

Those new jobs, added to the almost 24,000 people already working at the airport, makes YVR a major economic generator for BC and a key Pacific Gateway partner in our efforts to move people and cargo to and from the growing economies of China, Japan, Korea and India.

You aren’t voted the number one airport in North America for two years running (2010, 2011) without the contributions of people like Dora. Her many contacts with both Asian and international carriers have allowed her to build the Asia-Pacific air corridor from both passenger and cargo perspectives.

Fastest growing market
As the fastest growing market from an air-travel perspective, Dora refers to the Asia-Pacific, particularly China, as the “factory of the world.” China is Canada’s second-largest trading partner, and trade with other Asian economies continues to expand.

Thanks in part to Dora’s hard work on building the Asia-Pacific air corridor, China Southern launched Canada’s first passenger service from Guangzhou, China to YVR in 2011 and later added the country’s first all-cargo freighter service to Mainland China to bring high demand BC goods – such as seafood – to Shanghai, where they yield high value on the Chinese market.

“Airports are the engines of economic growth,” Dora said. “We drive growth not just in the Lower Mainland, but British Columbia and the rest of Canada – and it’s great to be a part of the YVR team.”

How Dora’s story connects to the BC Jobs Plan…

Dora Kay is YVR Airport Authority’s senior policy advisor on Asia. Dora has contributed tremendously to building our Asia-Pacific air-transport relationship. Dora and her team are moving the Pacific Gateway forward and helping BC get goods to market.
BC’s Pacific Gateway has resulted in 22 airlines committing to expand their services at YVR, a great example of BC opening markets to Asia and beyond.
The Asia-Pacific Gateway serves as one of BC’s strongest trading partners. Work like this at YVR Airport has increased air-traffic coming from Asia.

YVR