Montreal Metropolitan Airport to Open New Terminal in June 2026

The new passenger terminal at Montreal Metropolitan Airport (MET/YHU) is set to begin commercial flight operations on June 15, 2026, a development poised to reshape the aviation landscape in Quebec. The facility, with an annual capacity of up to 4 million passengers, will be anchored by Porter Airlines and regional carrier Pascan Aviation, re-establishing major scheduled passenger service at the historic Saint-Hubert airfield for the first time in over 80 years.

This project introduces a significant secondary airport to the Montreal region, located just 15 km from the city's downtown core. The move is a strategic play by Porter Airlines to replicate its successful model from Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport (YTZ), offering travelers a more convenient alternative to the city's primary hub, Montréal-Trudeau International Airport (YUL). Michael Deluce, CEO of Porter Airlines, stated the new airport will "completely disrupt the Montreal marketplace" by providing a closer option for a large portion of the city's population.

Terminal Infrastructure and Financing

The new terminal is developed and will be operated by YHU Infrastructure Partners, a joint venture between Porter Airlines and the global infrastructure firm Macquarie Asset Management (MAM). According to a press release from the partnership, the facility spans 21,000 square metres and features 9 boarding bridges and a modern, 900-seat departure lounge designed for a streamlined passenger experience. Charles Roberge, CEO of the YHU Terminal, emphasized a focus on creating a fast, efficient, and human-scale airport environment.

The project's construction is backed by a $90 million loan from the Canada Infrastructure Bank (CIB), a federal crown corporation. This financing highlights a growing trend of public-private partnerships in developing regional airport infrastructure, bypassing traditional government-only funding models. The terminal itself operates under a long-term lease and operating agreement with MET, the airport authority.

Stakeholder and Market Impact

The introduction of a strong secondary airport will have significant competitive implications. The most directly impacted stakeholders are Air Canada and WestJet, who will face increased domestic competition in the Montreal market from Porter's planned launch of 12 new domestic routes from YHU. For Montréal-Trudeau International Airport (YUL), the development may lead to a loss of some domestic point-to-point market share, although it could also provide welcome congestion relief at the primary hub.

Local residents in the surrounding city of Longueuil have historically expressed concerns over potential increases in noise and traffic. These impacts are expected to be mitigated by the airport's operational focus on quieter, new-generation single-aisle aircraft. The official airport website, MET - Montreal Metropolitan Airport, provides details on passenger services and access plans.

Replicating a Proven Model

Porter Airlines' strategy at YHU directly mirrors its successful establishment of a downtown hub at Toronto's Billy Bishop Airport. In 2010, the opening of the new YTZ terminal allowed Porter to capture significant market share from Toronto Pearson by offering unparalleled convenience. The airline is now attempting to reproduce this success in Canada's second-largest aviation market.

Historically, Saint-Hubert was Montreal's primary airport until commercial flights shifted to Dorval (now YUL) in the 1940s. The 2026 terminal opening marks a historic return of large-scale commercial operations to the airfield.

Montreal Metropolitan Airport (YHU) vs. Montréal-Trudeau International Airport (YUL)

Technical Analysis

This development is a clear indicator of two significant industry trends: the maturation of multi-airport systems in major Canadian cities and the increasing viability of private investment in regional airport infrastructure. By establishing a base at YHU, Porter Airlines is leveraging a convenient, uncongested airport to offer a differentiated product focused on speed and ease of travel. This challenges the network model of legacy carriers, which relies on consolidating traffic at a single large hub. The success of YHU could accelerate similar public-private partnership models at other underutilized secondary airports across North America, fundamentally altering domestic route networks and airline competition. The strategy hinges on capturing high-value, time-sensitive travelers who prioritize proximity to downtown over the extensive international connectivity offered by a primary hub like YUL.

What Comes Next

The project's primary milestone is the official terminal opening. According to YHU Infrastructure Partners, the first commercial flights operated by Porter Airlines and Pascan Aviation are confirmed to depart on June 15, 2026.

Why This Matters

The launch of the YHU terminal is more than just an infrastructure project; it signals a strategic shift in the Canadian domestic aviation market. It introduces robust competition in Montreal, validates the secondary airport model as a viable strategy in a major metropolis, and provides passengers with a fundamentally different travel option. This move will force legacy carriers to re-evaluate their service offerings and pricing in one of the country's most important markets.

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