Full Timeline
The complete history of NavCanada's Vancouver Airspace Modernization Project (VAMP) and the community's fight against it.
NavCanada Begins VAMP Project
NavCanada launches the Vancouver Airspace Modernization Project following a Transport Canada safety review. The project aims to redesign flight paths into YVR — the first major airspace change since 2007.
Public Consultation Launches
NavCanada and Vancouver Airport Authority launch public consultation on the proposed airspace changes. In-person drop-in sessions and online information sessions are held across the Lower Mainland, including in the Tri-Cities and Delta.
NavCanada VAMP PageTri-Cities Opposition Emerges
Tri-City News breaks the story: flights landing in westerly winds would descend from 6,000 feet over Westwood Plateau, passing over Coquitlam and Port Coquitlam every 4-5 minutes at 55-60 dB. Community alarm grows rapidly.
Port Coquitlam Mayor Writes to NavCanada
Mayor Brad West formally requests air traffic be shifted over less populated areas — waterways, highways, and industrial zones — rather than over homes. He also requests an in-person NavCanada presentation at city council.
NavCanada Presents to Coquitlam Council
NavCanada presents to Coquitlam Council-in-Committee. Councillor Dennis Marsden criticizes the process: "The cynic in me says that the decision is already made." Councillor Craig Hodge raises alarm about a plane every 4-5 minutes. All nine councillors request to speak — an unprecedented level of engagement.
Port Moody Mayor Questions NavCanada
Mayor Meghan Lahti writes to NavCanada questioning the need for the changes and the methodology of their noise modelling. She notes that flights will be "traveling very precisely over the same residences over and over and over again."
Petition Launched & NoOverflights.com Goes Live
Westwood Plateau resident Kenneth Bell launches a petition on Leadnow.ca and creates nooverflights.com. The petition gains nearly 500 signatures in its first week.
View PetitionConsultation Period Closes
NavCanada's public consultation officially ends. CTV, CBC, and the Vancouver Sun all cover the growing community opposition. Port Coquitlam Mayor Brad West criticizes NavCanada for being unable to provide specifics about "the number of planes and how low they will fly."
Port Moody Council Formally Opposes Flight Paths
Port Moody City Council passes a resolution formally opposing the flight path changes and sends a request to NavCanada to reconsider the routes, citing the likelihood of negative effects on the community.
Petition Surpasses 2,600 Signatures
The Leadnow petition grows to over 2,600 signatures. It is sent to the federal Minister of Transportation, NavCanada officials, and local politicians. Burnaby City Council also discusses the proposal, with Councillor Pietro Calendino calling the reroute over North Burnaby "stupidity in the worst case."
Federal E-Petition Opens in Parliament
E-Petition e-4397, sponsored by MP Bonita Zarrillo (NDP, Port Moody-Coquitlam), opens for signatures on the House of Commons website. It calls on the Minister of Transport to commission an independent environmental assessment of the noise and emission impacts.
View PetitionE-Petition Tabled in House of Commons
E-Petition e-4397 closes with 1,233 validated signatures and is officially tabled in Parliament.
Federal Government Responds — No Action
The Government of Canada responds to the petition. Parliamentary Secretary Annie Koutrakis states that NavCanada follows a "voluntary consultation protocol" and that airspace changes are not subject to federal environmental impact assessments. No meaningful action is promised.
MP Zarrillo Speaks in Parliament
MP Bonita Zarrillo speaks in Parliament, criticizing the consultation as inadequate: "The voluntary protocol did not meet the standards of consultation in my community." She notes that even the City of Coquitlam was not informed about consultation events. NavCanada's request for extended consultation is rejected.
NavCanada Finalizes Design
NavCanada works through 2024 to evaluate consultation feedback and finalize the airspace design. Community voices go largely unheard during this period.
NavCanada Publishes Consultation Report
NavCanada releases its formal VAMP Consultation Report, summarizing input received and the final airspace design recommendations.
Read Report (PDF)YVR Noise Management Committee Briefed
NavCanada updates the Aeronautical Noise Management Committee on VAMP implementation plans. YVR plans to install noise monitoring terminals before routes go live.
Amended Flight Plans Presented to Coquitlam
NavCanada presents amended plans to Coquitlam Council. Some modifications are made: planes over Burrard Inlet will stay there longer, some aircraft will turn before reaching Coquitlam, and flaps/landing gear deployment is delayed to reduce noise by 1-3 dB. The council expresses cautious satisfaction, but the fundamental route changes remain.
Phase 1: New Arrival Routes Go Live
NavCanada implements the new conventional arrival procedures at YVR. The flight paths are now active over our communities. Residents immediately begin experiencing frequent aircraft noise.
Phase 2: RNP AR Procedures Go Live
Satellite-based precision approach procedures are activated. NavCanada claims these will reduce noise by 1-5 dB and overfly up to 61,000 fewer people in some scenarios. Residents dispute this.
180-Day Post-Implementation Review
NavCanada is scheduled to conduct a community impact review 180 days after full implementation. This is a critical accountability moment. The review is expected to be published on NavCanada's website.
YVR Airspace InfoKnow about an event we've missed? Contact us with updates.
Media Coverage
News coverage of the flight path changes and community response, from 2022 to present:
How satellite technology could cut airplane noise around Vancouver airport
CBC News
More jet airplanes could soon fly over Coquitlam neighbourhoods — will they be noisy?
Tri-City News
Noise pollution among concerns raised by Tri-City residents opposed to flight path changes
Tri-City News
Port Moody cites likelihood of negative effects in opposing more jet flyovers
Tri-City News
Metro Vancouver flight path changes
CityNews Vancouver
Plane routes to YVR are being updated and some communities aren't happy about it
Vancouver Sun
Tri-Cities residents and politicians concerned about proposed new YVR flight paths
CBC News
Nearly 3K sign petition against more aircraft flying over Tri-Cities
Tri-City News
MP says NavCanada consultation was inadequate — request for extension rejected
Tri-Cities Dispatch
New flight plans presented to Coquitlam Council — amended routes announced
Tri-Cities Dispatch
Tri-Cities mayors concerned about new YVR arrivals flight path over their communities
CTV News Vancouver