Originally Posted by
Wpgjetse
I don't know one person that fly's to Victoria via YVR. They always drive or take the seaplane. I know most pax on the YYJ - YVR route are connecting. Yes, in the winter, flight times are limited do to sunlight hours, but they also add flights if needed.
I'd love to see hard statistics on this. I know people who fly YYJ-YVR for work, and that doesn't count the AC staff who commute to and from work.
I have done it for social events. For example, a banquet in Vancouver starts after the last seaplane, and ends too late for the last ferry. The choice is a hotel night or YVR-YYJ, which is cheaper and easier in the long run.
Also, not everyone lives and works in downtown Victoria. From home, I can be at the YYJ parking lot long before I can be at the Harbour Air parking lot.
And don't forget that ferries are subject to weather (runs were cancelled and delayed yesterday because of wind) as are the seaplanes (I have missed meetings in Vancouver because of fog). Your strongest chance of making the trip in winter is via YYJ.
And further to lights_a_blur, I know someone who is routinely SE and never leaves British Columbia. Because of Canucks season tickets, of all things.