YVR hikes fee by $5

Some travellers flying out of Vancouver International Airport are now paying more after a 33-per-cent hike in the airport improvement fee.

The fee hike, which took effect May 1, affects travellers leaving B.C. on both domestic and international flights. They will now be paying $20 per passenger instead of the previous $15.

Passengers flying within B.C. pay the existing $5 fee.

The Vancouver Airport Authority said the money will be used to fund a $1.8-billion airport upgrade to improve connection times for passengers travelling through the airport, including installing high-speed baggage systems and moving walkways.