YVR | Airport Authority | Community and Environment | North Runway Operations | Noise Management

YVR has two main parallel runways oriented in an east-west direction: the south runway (Runway 08R/26L) and the north runway (Runway 08L/26R).

Determining whether an aircraft departs over the land or over the water is a function of weather and wind direction. For safety reasons, aircraft must land and take-off into the wind. Air Traffic Control determines the active runways based on surface wind conditions at the airport.

When winds at the airport are blowing from the east, aircraft will depart in an easterly direction over land - this is generally referred to as "Runway 08 operations". If the winds are blowing from the west, aircraft will depart in a westerly direction over the water - this is generally referred to as "Runway 26 operations".

To minimize noise in the community, the preferred mode of operation is Runway 26, placing the noisier take-offs over the water and quieter arrivals over land. Historical wind conditions at YVR during the months of July and August allow departures over the water approximately 80% of the time.

How does wind affect air traffic direction?

	Westerly Flow (Runways 26 operations) This is the preferred direction of flow and it occurs when wind is calm or when wind is greater than 5 knots from the west. Take-offs are directed over the water as they are generally noisier than landings. This normally occurs when skies are clear and in the summer months.

	Easterly Flow (Runways 08 operations) This occurs when wind is greater than 5 knots from the east. This generally occurs in rainy or overcast weather, usually in the winter months. This also occurs in the morning during summer months, due to land breezes.

Single Event Noise Exposure Level (SEL) Contours

A good means of comparing or assessing the noise exposure generated by different aircraft types and operations is through the use of Single Event Noise Exposure Level (SEL) contours.

Click on the links below to see examples of SEL contours for different aircraft types and operations.