With Black Friday approaching, Vancouver International Airport is warning travellers to expect significant traffic around the airport due to sales at a nearby outlet mall.
McArthur Glen Designer Outlets (Richmond News file photo)
On Nov. 23, Black Friday sales are scheduled to hit Richmond’s McArthurGlen Designer Outlet. In anticipation of increased traffic, YVR says it is working with RCMP traffic enforcement and traffic management at the mall, but that travellers heading to the airport should plan for delays.
After the mall opened in 2015, some travellers have complained that increased traffic to the airport on significant shopping days, leading them to nearly miss their flights.
“It took us 30 minutes to drive from Marine Drive and Granville Street to the cut-off to the McArthurGlen Designer Outlet mall, en route to the Vancouver International Airport — about two kilometres. It, along with the adjoining roads, were literally parking lots,” said John Lumley in a letter to the Richmond News after travelling to YVR last Boxing Day.
“Yes, we made our flight — just. But I’m sure many didn’t, due to traffic congestion.”
To avoid congestion, the airport recommends that travellers, Sea Island employees and Black Friday shoppers all take the Canada Line, if possible.
