A plane is silhouetted as it takes off from Vancouver International Airport in Richmond, B.C., Monday, May 13, 2019. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward

By The Canadian Press

Passengers moved after strong smell of gas at Vancouver airport’s domestic terminal

Oct 15, 2025 | 4:00 PM

A strong smell of gas at the domestic terminal of Vancouver’s airport forced passengers to be temporarily moved out on Wednesday.

Statements from the airport say the source of the smell was quickly identified and contained after it was noticed shortly after 1 p.m.

The airport says passengers and employees were moved away from affected areas out of an abundance of caution and an initial investigation has found the leak was due to routine maintenance on a boiler.

A statement issued around 3:20 p.m. Wednesday said normal operations had resumed.

It said there were longer-than-usual lineups as security screening resumes and they’re working to process passengers on a “priority basis.”

ONE MAN'S OPINION

COLLINS: There is no disgrace in being cheesy once in a while

13h ago

Looped In

LOOPED IN WITH NIKKI OMEN: December 4, 2025

Dec 04, 2025

SOUND OFF

SOUND OFF: 16 days of activism against gender-based violence

Dec 03, 2025

The airport also warned there could be some minor flight delays as the influx of passengers is handled.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 15, 2025.

The Canadian Press