Latest news with #TamaraVrooman
Cision Canada
13-07-2025
- Business
- Cision Canada
YVR celebrates additional Asia-Pacific connections with inaugural T'way flight to Seoul Français
New carrier strengthens YVR's position as a global gateway, key driver of trade and economic impact MUSQUEAM TERRITORY and RICHMOND, BC, July 12, 2025 /CNW/ - Vancouver International Airport (YVR) is proud to be the first airport in North America to welcome regular service from South Korean airline, T'way Air. Today's inaugural flight kicks off four-times weekly, year-round service between Incheon International Airport (ICN) in Seoul and YVR, further positioning YVR as the preferred North American gateway to Asia-Pacific. The new T'way service provides the community with even more flexibility and convenience when travelling to South Korea and connections across Asia, but the benefits of this new service go beyond passengers alone. An additional air connection provides increased cargo capacity to further diversify trading markets and get British Columbian and Canadian products to consumers in Asia and around the world. 2024 was a record-breaking year for cargo out of YVR with more than 339,000 tonnes of goods shipped through the airport and South Korea is YVR's number two air export destination. "British Columbia has long had strong ties with South Korea and is home to a large Korean community that continues to make significant contributions to the cultural diversity and prosperity of our province," said B.C. Premier David Eby. "This affordable direct flight will allow people to stay connected with friends and family across the Pacific and also means that it will be faster and easier to do business with our fourth largest trading partner, strengthening the economic ties between us during a time of global uncertainty." "This new service to South Korea is about more than travel convenience—it represents a strategic investment in connectivity, trade, and Canada's place in the global economy," said Tamara Vrooman, President and CEO at YVR. "YVR is excited to further expand our ability to connect Canada with the world, to support industry and families, attract investment, and to further build resilience in supply chains." Each new international route from YVR results in direct economic benefit, with the flight to Seoul estimated to generate $39.8 million in economic output, $20.8 million in GDP, and 237 full time jobs in the province. "The launch of our Vancouver–Incheon route represents more than just a new destination—it's a meaningful bridge connecting people, cultures, and economic opportunity," said Mr. Sang Yoon Lee, CEO of T'way Air. "As the first Korean low-cost carrier to serve Canada, we're excited to welcome onboard travellers to Korea while continuing to deliver reliable service." Prior to the flight departing for its inaugural 11-hour journey, Elders from Musqueam, joined by Musqueam Councillor Morgan Guerin, helped send passengers on their journey in a good way with traditional songs and hands raised. Since 2017, this relationship has been guided by the Musqueam-YVR Sustainability & Friendship Agreement, a 30-year commitment built on respect, reconciliation, and shared prosperity. Flights with T'way from Vancouver to Seoul are scheduled to depart YVR at 5:25 p.m. local time arriving at ICN the next day at 9:35 p.m. local time. T'way is operating this route using an Airbus 330-300 aircraft, offering 347 seats, including lie-flat options in its Business Saver class, moving approximately 2,700 passengers weekly. Established in 2010, T'way Air is a low-cost carrier serving more than 40 destinations domestically in South Korea and around the globe including Europe, Asia, Australia, and now North America with the introduction of service to YVR. For further details on this new service and to book, please visit Photos and B-roll footage of the departure celebrations at YVR are available upon request by contacting [email protected]. ABOUT YVR Vancouver International Airport (YVR) is a diverse global hub that connects people, cargo, data, and ideas and serves as a platform for our community to come together and thrive. We are motivated by supporting regional economic development and making a positive difference in the lives of British Columbians. We do this with a focus on serving our passengers, partners, workers, and community through digital modernization, climate leadership, reconciliation, and financial sustainability.
Cision Canada
07-05-2025
- Business
- Cision Canada
IBM Report: Canadian CEOs Embrace AI Français
Canadian CEOs leading in AI adoption, transforming workforces, and securing data 72% adopting AI agents ahead of global peers 50% hiring for AI-related roles which did not exist a year ago 14% of AI initiatives have scaled enterprise-wide, compared to 16% globally MARKHAM, ON, May 7, 2025 /CNW/ -- Canadian CEOs are making bold strides in the global race to unlock AI's potential, according to the 2025 IBM Institute for Business Value (IBV) CEO Study. Productivity gains are the key driver behind leaders' desire to adopt generative AI, including the ability to automate routine tasks, optimize workflows, analyze data, and provide actionable insights. The study, which surveyed 2,000 CEOs across 33 countries and 24 industries — including 80 Canadian C-Suite leaders — shows 72% of Canadian CEOs are actively adopting AI agents and preparing to implement them at scale, compared to 61% globally. Yet, these leaders also say only 14% of AI initiatives have successfully scaled AI across their organizations. Further, only 27% of AI initiatives have delivered expected ROI. "Canadian CEOs are taking bold steps to integrate AI into their operations, signalling a clear understanding of its transformative potential," said Rob Wilmot, General Manager and Managing Partner of Consulting, IBM Canada. "But this isn't just about adopting AI – it's about embedding it thoughtfully and effectively across the organization. The IBM study indicates that Canadian businesses have the ambition. Now it's time to focus on execution." Vancouver International Airport (YVR) is an example of leadership in AI adoption, leveraging it and digital twin technology to drive operational efficiency and situational awareness in real time. By integrating predictive AI capabilities, they are enabling proactive issue resolution and data-driven decision-making. Every employee will be equipped with a trainable AI assistant, an AI Buddy, fostering cross-functional collaboration and creating a connected support ecosystem. "AI has been business needs-driven to ensure that we can start small and scale – that we can test its adoption, get people working on it, and then scale it across our operations," said CEO Tamara Vrooman. "Data as a single source of truth that everybody can see has been transformational for partnerships," Vrooman added. "It's helping us work better together and uncover ways to grow." Canadian CEOs Prioritize Data and Risk-Taking as Keys to AI Success The study indicates success in AI adoption hinges on a strong, cohesive business data strategy, and Canadian CEOs are prioritizing data as the foundation for innovation and global competitiveness. Key findings reveal: 76% of Canadian CEOs are investing in technologies before fully understanding their ROI, compared to 64% globally, underscoring a willingness to experiment. 69% are willing to take more risks than competitors to maintain a competitive edge. 43% identify poorly integrated or insufficient data as a significant barrier to AI innovation. 68% agree proprietary data is critical to realizing the full potential of generative AI. 79% view integrated enterprise-wide data architecture as vital for enabling AI-driven transformation. Canadian CEOs: Workforce Upskilling a Key Priority for AI Adoption Insights from the report indicate that, to stay competitive in an AI-driven future, Canadian CEOs are adopting innovative strategies to address workforce challenges, including reskilling existing talent, hiring for emerging AI-related roles, and integrating AI assistants into workflows. With 50% of Canadian CEOs hiring for positions that did not exist a year ago and 58% planning to use automation to bridge skill gaps, it is clear that workforce transformation is a priority. Rapid AI training is also becoming essential, as CEOs say 33% of the workforce will require retraining to meet the demands of an AI-powered world. As Canadian organizations accelerate AI adoption, preparing employees to adapt to the operational and cultural shifts brought by these technologies has become a priority. YVR's Tamara Vrooman emphasized how empowering employees is essential to building confidence and capacity for AI adoption. "How do we set our people up for the future? We feel it's by giving them the confidence to use AI in different situations as part of their own development," she said.
