New South Shore Montreal Metropolitan Airport a viable alternative to Dorval for domestic flights
The new MET – Montreal Metropolitan Airport in Longueuil officially opened with Porter Airlines’ inaugural flight to Vancouver, offering a faster alternative to Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport (YUL) amid traffic congestion. The airport, designed to handle four million passengers annually, aims to ease demand by 2040 and currently operates 20 daily flights, with plans to expand to 35.
Canada’s new MET – Montreal Metropolitan Airport (YHU) in Longueuil began commercial operations on Monday with Porter Airlines’ first flight to Vancouver, marking a significant milestone for Greater Montreal’s air travel. The airport, located on the South Shore, aims to reduce congestion at Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport (YUL), where delays are common due to dismantled parking infrastructure. MET Terminal President Charles Roberge noted the airport’s capacity to serve four million passengers yearly, positioning it as Canada’s sixth-largest, comparable to Ottawa and Halifax. The inaugural flight was celebrated with a water salute by the airport fire service, a tradition honoring aviation milestones. Roberge emphasized the airport’s focus on efficiency, stating passenger demand in the region is projected to double by 2040, reaching 15 million annually. Currently, MET operates 20 flights daily, with plans to increase to 35, alongside 2,600 parking spots. Porter Airlines CEO Michael Deluce announced that at least half of the airline’s flights have already shifted from YUL to MET, citing reduced travel time for passengers. Deluce highlighted the airport’s role in boosting regional connectivity, tourism, and the economy. Pascan Aviation, another operator at MET, also celebrated the opening, as it has been based in Saint-Hubert for over 20 years and now expands its regional flight network through a partnership with Porter. The official opening ceremony included Longueuil Mayor Catherine Fournier and Quebec Tourism Minister Amélie Dionne, attended by stakeholders from business, tourism, and transportation sectors. Roberge described the project as a transformative step for Montreal’s air travel, prioritizing a simpler, smoother passenger experience. The airport’s launch follows years of planning and aims to address long-standing traffic challenges at YUL.
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