Porter Airlines plans to launch 12 routes from Montreal Metropolitan Airport (YHU) this summer as it becomes the launch carrier at the airport’s new passenger terminal, marking the introduction of scheduled commercial passenger service at the facility.
Operations from the airport—formerly known as Montreal Saint-Hubert Airport—will begin June 15, when the airline commences the dozen domestic routes across Canada within the first week of service. The network includes flights to Calgary, Charlottetown, Edmonton, Halifax, Hamilton, Moncton, Quebec City, St. John’s, Toronto City, Toronto Pearson, Vancouver and Winnipeg.
The launch coincides with the opening of a new passenger terminal at YHU, which will serve as the airport’s first commercial passenger facility and position it as a secondary gateway for the Montreal region. The terminal covers about 21,000 m2 (226,040 ft.2) and includes nine boarding bridges, 28 check-in counters and capacity for up to 4 million passengers annually.
“The new terminal development represents an exceptional private investment in transportation infrastructure that Greater Montreal will benefit from for generations,” Porter Airlines CEO Michael Deluce says. “Porter is bringing a wide range of flight options to the airport, along with a genuine commitment to the community.”
Porter plans to operate a mix of De Havilland Dash 8-400 turboprops and Embraer 195-E2 aircraft from the airport. The airline says the opening will allow a significant expansion of its Montreal operations, with peak summer capacity in the Montreal market increasing by about 91%.
The carrier will continue operating from Montreal-Trudeau International Airport (YUL) alongside the new facility, creating a dual-airport strategy. According to OAG Schedules Analyser data, six of the routes Porter plans to operate from YHU are already served from YUL.
The new terminal is being developed and operated by YHU Infrastructure Partners, a partnership between Porter Aviation Holdings and Macquarie Asset Management, under a long-term lease agreement with the airport authority.
The facility is intended to support domestic and short-haul services operated by single-aisle aircraft and turboprops and could accommodate additional airlines in the future. YHU is located in Longueuil on Montreal’s South Shore, about 15 km (9 mi.) from downtown Montreal.
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