Only 22 airports will be able to handle the A380
versus over 600 for the 747 by the end of the decade*. Just doubt that YVR will truly be among one of them.
* Read this in some recent news release in the past 2 weeks. IIRC, it was an EADS/Airbus presentation to NYC analysts. Only some 22 airports worldwide will truly be able to accomodate the A380 (not just the gates/parking/taxi area) but the ability of thse parts to bear the weight) by 2008-2010. Compare this to the 600+ airports that the 747 can and do operate into.