Porter Airlines operated the first commercial passenger flights on Monday from the newly opened terminal at Montreal Metropolitan Airport [1].
The launch establishes a second commercial aviation gateway for the Greater Montreal area, reducing reliance on a single hub and expanding regional capacity through a privately funded infrastructure project [2].
Located in Longueuil, Saint-Hubert, on the South Shore, the Montreal Metropolitan Airport (MET) now features a new terminal measuring 21,000 square metres [3, 4]. The facility is designed to streamline passenger movement and provide a more accessible alternative for travelers in the region [4].
Porter Airlines serves as the launch carrier for the site. The airline plans to introduce 12 routes from the new terminal this summer [5]. These flights mark the transition of the airport from a primarily general aviation site to a commercial passenger hub [1, 6].
The development of the MET terminal was intended to alleviate congestion and provide new economic opportunities for the South Shore community [2, 6]. By diversifying the available flight options, the project aims to increase the overall efficiency of air travel within the province [2].
Official operations began on June 15, 2026 [1]. The airport's integration into the commercial network allows Porter to expand its footprint in Quebec while offering passengers a different point of entry into the metropolitan area [6].
“The launch establishes a second commercial aviation gateway for the Greater Montreal area.”
The opening of the Montreal Metropolitan Airport terminal represents a strategic shift in Quebec's aviation infrastructure. By creating a secondary commercial hub, the region can distribute passenger traffic more evenly and reduce the operational pressure on Montreal's primary international airport. This privately funded expansion suggests a growing trend toward decentralized airport models to accommodate regional growth.
