Almost one in six air travellers are taking the Canada Line to get to Vancouver International Airport.

Since the Canada Line opened over two months ago, 15 per cent of passengers have hopped aboard the rapid transit train to get to YVR, surpassing Vancouver Airport Authority's expectations of 10 per cent.

"We're happy with the ridership," said Larry Berg, airport president, at a city council committee meeting Monday.

In the airport authority's annual update to council, Berg told elected officials the only downside for the airport is that parking revenues are down by up to 15 per cent.

“That’s what it’s intended to do, to take cars off the road, and it has," he said.

More airport employees will soon be taking the Canada Line in the mornings—for at least the Sea Island leg. A 2,500-space employee-only park-and-ride facility is set to open soon at Templeton Station.

Commuters can also expect a jump in airport traffic on the Canada Line during the Olympics.

Berg told council the Winter Olympics will bring an extra 250,000 passengers to the airport. In all, the airport is expecting to handle 380,000 passengers during the Games, but business traffic is expected to shrink in the same period, accounting for the smaller figure.

TransLink is proposing to hike transit fares to the airport starting Jan. 1, 2010. Currently, travellers to any of the three stations on Sea Island can travel with a standard transit pass. Proposed is an "add fare" of $2.50 for passengers travelling from Bridgeport and Sea Island stations in either direction.

The TransLink Commission is accepting comments from the public on the surcharge until Nov. 30. E-mail comments@translinkcommission.org.