B.C. Day Rush: Ferry and Flight Traffic Soars
B.C. Day travel is in full swing, and officials are bracing for one of the busiest weekends of the year. With ferry traffic swelling and airport crowds building, travelers are being urged to plan ahead, expect delays, and travel with patience.
As the long weekend kicks off, both B.C. Ferries and Vancouver International Airport (YVR) are operating at maximum capacity, while police and ICBC caution drivers about fatigue, speeding, and safety risks on the roads.
Ferry Demand Surges Amid Aging Fleet Challenges
B.C. Ferries expects up to a 10% increase in passengers and 5% more vehicles this weekend compared to regular summer days. Every vessel in its 37-ship fleet is in service, including the 61-year-old Queen of New Westminster.
That vessel alone has seen 10 technical issues just this past month—from engine leaks to power interruptions. While none caused cancellations, each demanded urgent fixes.
Officials acknowledge the fleet is aging and struggling to meet growing demand. Four new ships are in the pipeline, but with travel projected to rise 15% in the coming years, upgrades may still fall short.
Sailing delays have already been reported, as crews work overtime to load more vehicles. Reservations are full on most major routes, and walk-on or off-peak travel is strongly recommended for those without bookings.
YVR Sees Record-High Passenger Volume
Meanwhile, Vancouver International Airport is preparing for its busiest weekend of the summer. Between August 1 and 4, over 359,000 travelers are expected to pass through YVR—a 7.4% jump from last year.
Friday alone could see nearly 92,000 people, with Toronto, Calgary, Edmonton, Montreal, and San Francisco topping the destination list.
Though YVR is scaling operations, staffing shortages at Nav Canada have caused periodic air traffic delays. Earlier this summer, a similar shortage led to over 200 flight delays during the Canada Day weekend.
Border Crossings Backed Up Despite Traffic Drop
At land borders, wait times at Peace Arch and Pacific Highway topped one hour Friday afternoon. Surprisingly, this comes as southbound travel into the U.S. has dropped by 43% year-over-year.
This decline began in February when former U.S. President Donald Trump proposed higher tariffs on Canadian goods. As of this Friday, a new executive order has raised tariffs from 25% to 35%, likely affecting cross-border travel even further.
Despite lower traffic, delays remain. Reginald Raju of the Peace Arch Duty Free Shop said reduced staffing at U.S. border checkpoints is stretching wait times. “There are fewer patrol guards and open lanes,” he noted, adding that business remains down about 30% compared to previous years.
Still, a modest uptick in Canadian customers—possibly due to cruise season and school holidays—offers some optimism.
RCMP and ICBC Urge Road Safety
With highways expected to be packed, ICBC is sounding the alarm on fatigue-related crashes, which spike in July and August.
“Hot weather can drain you quickly,” said road safety manager Kathleen Nadalin. “Check how you feel before getting behind the wheel.”
Statistically, the B.C. Day weekend sees more than 2,000 crashes, resulting in over 560 injuries and two deaths, with nearly 400 injuries in the Lower Mainland alone.
To help reduce those numbers, RCMP and Highway Patrol officers are setting up roadside safety checks all weekend long.
Cpl. Michael McLaughlin urged drivers to slow down and make smart choices. “We’d rather tow your car than deliver tragic news to your family,” he said.
What Travellers Can Do Now
If you’re heading out this weekend, here’s what officials suggest:
Book ferry and flight tickets in advance or consider off-peak travel
Walk-on ferry passengers may face shorter waits than vehicles
Use alternate border crossings or travel during less busy hours
Rest before long drives, and stay hydrated to avoid fatigue
Stay updated on real-time traffic, ferry sailings, and airport conditions
Stay safe, travel smart, and stay tuned to Maple Wire for more live updates.
