Flight 2010 Cleared for Landing at Vancouver International Airport - YVR Named Official Airport for 2010 Winter Games

Mar 13, 2008

Richmond, B.C. (March 13, 2008): The Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games (VANOC) today welcomed Vancouver Airport Authority as an Official Supplier of the 2010 Winter Games. This partnership marks the first time in Olympic Games history that an airport has been named an Official Supplier.

As an Official Supplier, the Airport Authority has sponsorship rights in the airport category for the 2010 Winter Games and is committed to providing world-class operations and services prior to, during and after the Games. In addition, the Airport Authority receives the sponsorship rights to the Canadian Olympic team attending the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games, the Vancouver 2010 Winter Games and the London 2012 Olympic Games. The sponsorship commitment includes:

• dedicated airport amenities and services for VANOC and 2010 Winter Games activities 
• accreditation processing and departure screening facilities 
• expedited passenger arrivals and baggage services 
• specialized training for airport staff 
• parking and ground transportation services 
• office space

“As an Official Supplier, we will provide many athletes, officials, media and visitors with the first and last impression of the Vancouver 2010 Winter Games,” said Larry Berg, President and Chief Executive Officer, Vancouver Airport Authority. “Our goal is to provide a smooth, seamless and exceptional travel experience to every passenger that visits our airport for the Games or any other reason. We are enhancing our facilities, passenger services and customer care program to ensure we meet this goal before, during and after the 2010 Winter Games.”

“YVR provides the perfect opportunity for us to welcome the world in 2010. Today, YVR has made history, becoming the first ever airport authority sponsor of the Games and we’re pleased to have the support of their operations and customer service,” said John Furlong, VANOC Chief Executive Officer. “For visitors stepping off the plane, it will be like arriving in the middle of a Games venue. YVR is one of the most beautiful and accessible airports in the world, and it captures the spirit of Vancouver, BC and Canada.”

“Yesterday, we celebrated the two-year countdown to the Opening Ceremony for the 2010 Paralympic Winter Games in Vancouver and Whistler. Athletes are two years away from arriving in this airport with their specialized equipment,” said Todd Nicholson, captain of Canada’s Paralympic Hockey team, “YVR is a leader in its commitment to providing accessible facilities and staff training. This can only enhance every Paralympic athlete’s experience at the Games.”

The Airport Authority’s long-established working relationship with VANOC also includes separate, but complementary agreements covering terminal advertising opportunities and six dedicated Olympic Stores in the International and Domestic Terminals featuring Vancouver 2010 Winter Games merchandise.

The sponsorship announcement was made at a community event held in YVR’s new Link building, which connects the Domestic and International Terminals, provides additional check-in and baggage facilities, and will be the final stop for Canada Line trains heading to the airport. In attendance at the announcement were employees of Vancouver Airport Authority, local airport business partners, VANOC representatives, elected officials and other Games sponsors who marked the start of this partnership by signing a large-scale commemorative banner that will be displayed in the terminal.

About Vancouver Airport Authority
The Airport Authority is a community-based, not-for-profit organization that operates Vancouver International Airport (YVR). Canada’s second busiest airport, YVR expects to welcome 17.9 million passengers in 2008. The Airport Authority is undertaking a $1.4-billion capital program that will ensure the airport meets the growing demand for air travel and continues to be developed as a premier global gateway and economic generator for British Columbia.

About VANOC
VANOC is responsible for the planning, organizing, financing and staging of the XXI Olympic Winter Games and the X Paralympic Winter Games in 2010. The 2010 Olympic Winter Games will be staged in Vancouver and Whistler from February 12 to 28, 2010. Vancouver and Whistler will host the Paralympic Winter Games from March 12 to 21, 2010. Visit www.vancouver2010.com.

VANOC’s marketing program is focusing on securing mutually rewarding partnerships with shared values to generate sufficient revenue to host successful Winter Games in 2010 and to leave a financial legacy for sport. VANOC’s International Partners include Coca-Cola, Atos Origin, GE, McDonald’s, Omega, Panasonic, Samsung and Visa. VANOC’s National Partners are Bell Canada, HBC, RBC Financial Group, GM Canada, Petro-Canada and RONA.

VANOC’s Official Supporters include Air Canada, the British Columbia Lottery Corporation, Canadian Pacific, and the Insurance Corporation of British Columbia, Jet Set Sports, Ricoh Canada Inc., the Royal Canadian Mint and Teck Cominco Limited. VANOC’s Official Suppliers are 3M, Birks, Britco, Dow Canada, EPCOR, Haworth Canada, Nortel, Purolator, Saputo, Sun Microsystems of Canada, Tickets.com, TransCanada, Vancouver Airport Authority, Vincor Canada, Weston Bakeries and Workopolis.

Contact

VANOC Communications
mediarelations@vancouver2010.com