"We went from six U.S. cities to 22," Berg told The Province on Wednesday.

"China wasn't even a big player in the aviation industry then - we've gone from 15 flights a week to Hong Kong to 55 flights a week."

The two-tiered fee will continue: Passengers travelling in B.C. will pay $5 (as before) while those travelling outside B.C. will pay $20. The money will be spent, in part, to lessen connection times at Canada's second-busiest airport, which now has an annual capacity of 23 million passengers. High-speed baggage systems and 700 metres of secure corridors and moving walkways will help increase capacity, with Berg expecting two- to four-per-cent passenger-number increases each year of the 10-year upgrade.

"In 2013, we expect to be required to lengthen our three runways by either 300 metres - the Canadian standard - or 600 m - the international standard," said Berg, explaining in part the $1.8-billion price tag, which will also include upgrades to the domestic terminal, which dates from 1968.

Tourism Vancouver vice-president Stephen Pearce praised YVR's award-winning reputation and said the new upgrades will enhance the experience for visitors.

"We aim to be a world-class destination, so we need a world-class airport," said Pearce. "We want people, when they come here, to have a 'wow' experience, and that starts at the airport."

Heathrow Airport
• Via Underground, Piccadilly line direct to Green Park
• Via Paddington Express and then a short taxi ride

Gatwick Airport
• Via British Rail, Gatwick Express to Victoria Station
• Underground to Green Park or a short taxi ride

UNIGLOBE'S Exclusive Rate of £190 includes VAT and two breakfasts!

Contact your UNIGLOBE Travel Consultant to book this EXCLUSIVE Rate.

If you're an Aeroplan Member traveling on flights operated by United or Continental Airlines during this period:

• Continue to check-in with the carrier who is operating the first flight for your journey on the day of travel. Remember, if your itinerary/receipt reflects that a flight is operated by Continental Airlines, effective March 3, you will check in with United.
• We encourage you to check the latest information regarding your United or Continental Airlines flight by visiting www.united.com.
• You'll continue to earn Aeroplan Miles for eligible flights. Simply ensure that you provide your Aeroplan number at the time of reservation or check-in.
• It will not be possible to request a Star Alliance Upgrade Award on flights operated by United through the middle of March.

If you're a United Mileage Plus or Continental Airlines OnePass member traveling on flights operated by Air Canada during this period:

• Continue to check-in with the carrier who is operating the first flight for your journey on the day of travel.
• We encourage you to check the latest information regarding your Air Canada flight by using our Flight Status service on aircanada.com, or by downloading the Air Canada App for your internet-enabled smartphone.
• You'll continue to earn miles for eligible flights with your 11-digit Mileage Plus number, your 8-digit OnePass number, or your new 8-digit Mileage Plus number. There is no need to update your frequent flyer number information on existing reservations. When making new reservations, we encourage you to use your new 8-digit Mileage Plus number.
• It will not be possible for Mileage Plus or OnePass members to request a Star Alliance Upgrade Award on flights operated by Air Canada through the middle of March.

Calgary-Tokyo year-round, non-stop service complements Air Canada's daily year-round Vancouver-Tokyo and Toronto-Tokyo non-stop flights. The airline will offer 19 flights each week from Canada to Tokyo's Narita International Airport this summer and 17 flights each week during the winter.

The airline will launch seven non-stop flights each business day between Toronto and New York City starting June 4, 2012. On July 12, WestJet will increase to eight non-stop flights each business day. Flight times offer business travellers the flexibility and convenience to change plans on their day of travel at no cost.

"This is another significant milestone for WestJet," said John MacLeod, WestJet Vice-President, Network Management and Alliances. "Toronto to New York is the largest transborder market from Canada, and this new non-stop service, offered on our Boeing 737 Next Generation aircraft, will offer business and leisure travellers alike the convenience, comfort and affordability they've been looking for.

"We continue to aggressively target the business traveller, particularly in the eastern triangle," continued John MacLeod. "Just a year ago, WestJet announced its increased service between Toronto-Montreal and Toronto-Ottawa. We believe that our superior operational performance, remarkable guest experience, tailor-made business schedule and now multiple daily flights to New York will meet the needs of those guests flying for business."

The launch of new service comes on the heels of the recently signed code-share agreement with Delta Air Lines. WestJet guests travelling between Toronto and New York will arrive into Delta's main connection area at LaGuardia, allowing connections to Delta's comprehensive U.S. network without additional security screening.

To celebrate the launch, WestJet is introducing a new promotional offer for WestJet Rewards members travelling between Toronto and Montreal and Toronto and Ottawa. For each round-trip flight flown between these eastern triangle cities between January 30 and March 31, 2012, members will earn discounts on future flights to LaGuardia. Members who fly three round-trip flights will earn a free flight (excluding taxes and fees) to the Big Apple. Details and restrictions can be found at Westjet Rewards.