In Pictures: Montréal’s new ‘MET’ airport terminal unveiled as Porter confirmed as launch airline
March 25, 2026
A new commercial passenger terminal at MET – Montréal Metropolitan Airport will open on 15 June 2026, creating a second airport for the Greater Montréal region and restoring scheduled airline service to the historic Saint-Hubert airfield on the city’s South Shore.
Airport operator YHU Infrastructure Partners confirmed the opening this week and provided details of the facility, which will support a new generation of domestic airline operations centred on smaller, more efficient aircraft.
The airport, located about 15 km from downtown Montréal, will complement Montréal–Trudeau International Airport by offering travellers a faster, more accessible option for domestic flights across Canada.
Porter Airlines to launch first flights from Montreal MET
Canadian carrier Porter Airlines will be the launch airline at the new terminal, operating flights to destinations across Canada when the facility opens.
Porter plans to operate a mix of 132-seat Embraer E195-E2 jets and 78-seat De Havilland Dash 8-400 turboprops, supporting both longer domestic routes and shorter regional connections.
The airline will launch 12 coast-to-coast routes across Canada within a week of the terminal’s opening.
“The new MET terminal development represents an exceptional private investment in transportation infrastructure that Greater Montréal will benefit from for generations. Porter is bringing a wide range of flight options to the airport, along with a genuine commitment to the community. Our philosophy is to treat everyone with care, and this is perfectly complemented by the overall travel experience passengers will enjoy at MET. We are eager to begin this journey with an unprecedented amount of new service,” said Michael Deluce, CEO of Porter Airlines, in the airline’s announcement.
“The terminal has been designed to make every step before boarding simpler, faster and more comfortable — from arrival at the Terminal to the gate. With its compact layout and a simple, streamlined passenger flow, travellers can move through the terminal with ease and spend more time relaxing before their flight. Together with Porter’s elevated onboard service, this creates a seamless and refreshing travel experience,” Charles Roberge, president and CEO, YHU Infrastructure Partners, added.
Regional carrier Pascan Aviation will also operate from the airport, with the terminal designed to accommodate additional airlines in the future.
Montreal Metropolitan: A terminal designed for fast passenger processing
According to the official airport brief, the new terminal covers about 21,000 square metres and includes nine boarding bridges and a 900-seat waiting lounge.
The facility’s design will streamline the passenger journey, allowing travellers to move quickly through the airport and arrive closer to departure than at larger hubs.
Airport officials say the terminal’s integrated operating model will enable faster response times and more efficient passenger processing.
“We are not simply building an airport terminal; we’re redefining the way people travel in Montréal,” Roberge said in the airport’s brief. “This project is the result of close collaboration with MET – Montréal Metropolitan Airport, and every detail has been designed to offer passengers a seamless, efficient and human experience that meets the expectations of today’s travellers.”
The project was designed by Scott & Associates and built by PCL Construction, with construction starting in August 2023 and completed in under three years.
Montreal’s new aiport adds capacity for four million passengers
The terminal can serve up to four million passengers per year, creating new capacity for air travel in the Greater Montréal region. Porter notes that the airport’s location provides convenient air travel to more than 50% of the region’s population, with easy access to downtown and Montréal’s central neighbourhoods.
“For Greater Montréal passengers, the opening of the terminal at MET will offer more options for travellers and allow airlines to take advantage of greater airport capacity in the metropolitan region,” said Airport CEO Yanic Roy.
The new terminal’s facilities include landside infrastructure such as parking, shuttle connections, and improved access roads.
A 500-metre drop-off zone with three traffic lanes will help manage vehicle flow. The airport will also offer an express METbus shuttle linking the terminal with the Longueuil–Université-de-Sherbrooke metro station.
Québécoise retail and passenger amenities
The airport says the terminal will showcase 100% Quebec-based retail offerings, including a Bâton Rouge restaurant, Café Dépôt, and a travel convenience store.
Architecturally, the building emphasises natural light and incorporates design elements that reference the arrival of the R-100 airship in Saint-Hubert in 1930, a landmark moment in Canada’s early aviation history.
Reviving Canada’s oldest airport
Saint-Hubert Airport first opened in 1927 and served as Montréals primary airport until commercial traffic moved to Dorval (now Montréal–Trudeau) during the Second World War.
The new passenger terminal marks the return of scheduled airline service to the site after decades as a general aviation, training and aerospace hub.
With the launch of MET, Montreal joins other large metropolitan areas — including London, New York and Tokyo — that rely on multiple airports serving different types of airline operations.
Featured Image: YHU Infrastructure Partners
