An open letter to:
Hawkair General Manager Rod Hayward
Hawkair Marketing Director Darryl Tucker
Dear Sirs:
I was recently surprised to learn that Hawkair is moving its Vancouver operations from the South Terminal at YVR to the Main Terminal.
A quote from The Terrace Standard on line edition reads, "...we just looked at the long-term growth potential, and the convenience of the main terminal."
Convenience for whom? Doubtless, there are business priorities among the reasons influencing your decision but it's apparent that passenger convenience isn't among those priorities. This is apparent because the main terminal at YVR is bloody 'inconvenient' compared to where Hawkair is now. Like other aspects of Vancouver, the main terminal at YVR has international cachet and looks good on TV but it's hardly a user-friendly place to go.
And in my experience, the south terminal where you are now is user-friendly.
I've lived in Vancouver for decades but I travel to Terrace on Hawkair and my family and friends come down here on your airline. I've often travelled other places via the main YVR terminal. It's obvious to me that there are other benefits to the south terminal besides being comfy and user-friendly.
For one thing, the parking's cheaper at South Terminal. That's no small thing when you compare the expensive maze looming across from the YVR main gates.
Another thing is the convenience of picking up and dropping off family and friends at Hawkair at the South Terminal; I can drive in and pick up and drop off in far less time than is that case at the 'big tent'.
Last but not at all least is the comfortable and convenient scale of the South Terminal, with the cafe, seating and arrival gates within an easy stroll of each other. It's rarely crowded and it is very convenient. As an airport experience, I'll take your present location every time.
There's that 'convenient' word again. You may feel it's 'convenient' for Hawkair to move out of the South Terminal and into the 'big tent' but it's not convenient for me as your customer.
And aren't we the reason you're in business? And speaking of business, if moving into the 'big tent' is such a boon and the aviation business is so hard (again), why would you take on the additional expense that comes with the prestige of the main terminal? Guess who is going to have to cover those inevitably greater costs, every time we hit that Hawkair counter?
It may be too late; it's your company and you're already in the paper with the news. But don't be surprised if you're paying passengers don't like it.
John Harris,
Vancouver, BC