Montreal's Airport Scenario: Two Hubs, One City

Montreal, the largest city in Canada's province of Quebec, is served by several airports. The Montréal–Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport (formerly known as Dorval) is the only Transport Canada-designated international airport serving Montreal. It is one of two airports managed and operated by Aéroports de Montréal (ADM), the other being Montréal–Mirabel, which is located northwest of Montreal. Montréal–Trudeau is the third busiest airport in Canada by passenger traffic, with 21.17 million passengers in 2023. It offers year-round non-stop flights to five continents and is accessible by several bus routes and shuttle services.

In addition to Montréal–Trudeau and Montréal–Mirabel, there are several other airports in the Montreal area, including Montréal Saint-Hubert Longueuil Airport, Plattsburgh International Airport, and Alexandria Aerodrome. These airports offer alternative options for travellers looking to fly into or out of Montreal.

Montréal-Trudeau International Airport is the main airport in Montreal

Montréal-Trudeau is the third-busiest airport in Canada by passenger traffic, with 21.17 million passengers in 2023. It is one of eight Canadian airports with United States border preclearance and is one of the main gateways into Canada, with 14.58 million, or 69% of its passengers, being on non-domestic flights. This is the highest proportion among Canada's airports.

The airport is one of two managed and operated by Aéroports de Montréal (ADM), a not-for-profit corporation without share capital. The other is Montréal–Mirabel, northwest of Montreal, which was initially intended to replace the one in Dorval but now deals almost solely with cargo and private flights. Montréal-Trudeau is owned by Transport Canada, which has a 60-year lease with Aéroports de Montréal, as per Canada's National Airport Policy of 1994.

Montréal-Trudeau underwent a major expansion and modernisation designed to increase the terminal's capacity and enhance the level of passenger service. The airport terminal had remained mostly the same since its opening in 1960. However, with increased passenger volume, there was a strong need to expand the terminal, whose capacity of roughly seven million passengers per year had been exceeded. The expansion program included the construction of brand-new facilities, including jetties for flights to the United States and other international destinations, and a huge international arrivals complex.

The airport offers year-round, non-stop flights from nearly 150 destinations across Africa, Asia, Europe, North and South America. Airlines servicing Trudeau offer flights to five continents, namely Africa, Asia, Europe, North and South America. It is one of only two airports in Canada with non-stop flights to five continents, the other being Toronto Pearson International Airport.

Montréal-Trudeau is accessible by six bus routes operated by the Société de transport de Montréal (STM): one dedicated airport transfer service, one express route, two regular daytime routes, and two night buses. Additionally, an airport shuttle bus connects the airport to Dorval station, located 2km south of the airport, offering inter-city rail connections to Quebec City, Ottawa, Kingston, and Toronto.

Montréal Saint-Hubert Longueuil Airport is another airport option for travel into Montreal

Montréal Saint-Hubert Longueuil Airport, also called Montréal/Saint-Hubert Airport, is another airport option for travel into Montreal. This airport is located in the Saint-Hubert borough of Longueuil, Quebec, and it is just 16km from downtown Montreal. It is one of the main airports in Montreal, serving travellers to Quebec and several other destinations in Canada, including Newfoundland, Toronto, and the Magdalen Islands. Montréal Saint-Hubert Longueuil Airport was Montreal's first and only airport until the construction of Montréal/Dorval International Airport (now known as Montréal-Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport).

Montréal Saint-Hubert Longueuil Airport is a regional airport, serving primarily travellers to Quebec destinations. However, it also offers flights to several other destinations in Canada, including Newfoundland, Toronto, and the Magdalen Islands. This airport is a convenient option for those travelling into Montreal, as it is located just 16km from the city's downtown area.

The airport has a rich history, dating back to 1928 when it was Montreal's first and only airport. It served as the main airport until the construction of Montréal/Dorval International Airport (now known as Montréal-Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport). Despite no longer being the primary airport, Montréal Saint-Hubert Longueuil Airport remains an important aviation hub in the region.

In addition to its role in domestic travel, Montréal Saint-Hubert Longueuil Airport also serves as a base for several aviation companies. It is home to the headquarters of several aviation companies, including Innotech-Execair, Starlink, ACASS, and Maintenance Repair & Overhaul (MRO) facilities of Air Transat and Air Inuit. The airport also houses a Civil Aviation Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul facility operated by Transport Canada, as well as an assembly facility for Bombardier Aerospace.

Montréal Saint-Hubert Longueuil Airport offers a range of facilities and services to meet the needs of travellers. It provides convenient transportation options, including taxi services and car rental agencies. The airport also features a variety of dining and shopping options, ensuring that travellers have access to essential amenities during their journey.

Overall, Montréal Saint-Hubert Longueuil Airport is a vital aviation hub in the Montreal region, offering convenient travel options and contributing to the region's economic development. Its historical significance, coupled with its modern facilities and services, makes it a valuable alternative for travellers visiting Montreal.

Plattsburgh International Airport is an airport near Montreal that markets itself as Montreal's U.S. airport

Plattsburgh International Airport is located in Plattsburgh, New York, 60 miles (97 km) from Montreal, Canada. It is a county public-use airport that markets itself as "Montreal's U.S. airport". The airport is closer to the South Shore suburbs of Montreal than the city's primary airport, Montréal–Trudeau International Airport.

Plattsburgh International Airport is located at the former Plattsburgh Air Force Base and has been owned by Clinton County since 2002. The airport's facilities include a 11,759-foot (3,584 m) runway and a 12,000,000-square-foot (1,100,000 m2) concrete ramp for cargo and aircraft. It has a 35,300-square-foot passenger terminal building that opened in 2007. The airport has no night curfews or flight restrictions and enjoys calm weather year-round. It is also a Foreign Trade Zone and Empire Zone, making it tax-free for many enterprises.

The airport is served by airlines such as Allegiant Air, which offers non-stop flights to Fort Lauderdale, and Contour Airlines, which provides 12 weekly flights to Philadelphia. Plattsburgh International Airport also has significant multi-modal capabilities, including its own interchange on the Interstate Highway System and direct rail and highway access to the Port of Montreal.

As of 2015, more than 80% of passengers departing from Plattsburgh International Airport were Canadian, mostly from Montreal. This is due to the airport being closer to certain areas of Montreal than the city's primary airport. All signs at the airport are bilingual in English and French, and workers are offered French classes to cater to the large number of Canadian passengers.

In summary, Plattsburgh International Airport effectively serves as a convenient alternative for travellers from Montreal, particularly those from the South Shore suburbs, and markets itself accordingly as "Montreal's U.S. airport".

Alexandria Aerodrome is an international private jet airport located near Montreal

Montreal, Canada's largest city in the province of Quebec, is served by several airports in and around the city. One of these is the Alexandria Aerodrome, an international private jet airport located near Montreal.

Alexandria Aerodrome, or CNS4, is situated in Alexandria, Ontario, Canada, near the Ontario-Quebec border and on the edge of Montreal's terminal airspace. The airport is about 108 kilometres from downtown Montreal. The airport's primary use is for glider and skydiving activities, with a grass runway that is maintained short and even for landings and takeoffs.

The airport is a nice grass strip between Montreal and Ottawa. It is a popular spot for parachuting, and it is recommended that pilots check for paradrop and parachuting club activity before landing. The runway is approximately 2,200 feet long, and while the ground underneath is slightly uneven, it is firm and dry.

The airport is managed by Alexandria Aviation Ltd. and is located at coordinates 45°20′N 074°37′W.

Montréal-Mirabel International Airport is another airport in Montreal

Montréal–Mirabel was once the largest airport in the world, with an operations zone of 70 km2 (27 sq mi) and a buffer zone of 290 km2 (110 sq mi). It was developed to handle the expected growth in international traffic and eventually replace Dorval. On November 29, 1975, Mirabel International Airport opened, and many connecting flights to Canadian centres and international destinations were transferred there.

However, the extra traffic never materialised, and Mirabel's traffic decreased due to the advent of longer-range jets in the 1980s. Montreal's economic decline during this period also impacted both airports' traffic, making Mirabel's additional capacity redundant. Dorval Airport, located closer to downtown Montreal, remained in operation due to public pressure.

Today, Montréal–Mirabel is one of two airports managed and operated by Aéroports de Montréal (ADM), a not-for-profit corporation. It has been recognised for its artistic and cultural development, contributing to Montreal's vibrant cultural scene.

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